13 Warning Signs Of A Pedophile | Fenced.ai

Child abuse and pedophilia are a real concern than anyone realizes. We can frequently hear about cases of child abuse and violence on TVs and mobile phones. And let me tell you a sad reality, such pedophiles and child predators live among us!

Pedophiles are not easy to identify, and they do not have a specific profession, religion, or personality. Rather, they are someone far closer, and it could be a close friend, family, the relatives you think are good with children, your babysitter, school teacher, or a friend who shows too much interest in looking after your child.

Most pedophilia cases report shows that the victim's abuser was someone they already knew and trusted. Parents have to pay attention to their children and who they interact with constantly; who knows who might be trying to groom them.

In this article, you'll know what a pedophile is, 13 warning signs of a pedophile, and how you can save your children from such heinous predators.

What Is A Pedophile?

Pedophilia is often taken as a subject of taboo and social stigma, but it is of utmost vitality that everyone needs to know what it is. So, what actually is a pedophile and pedophilia?

Let's be clear about it.

A pedophile is someone who inclines toward children sexually and has sexual urges, generally of the teenage years and below. In most of the cases, pedophiles are male adults and married who seem happy in their families and have good professions.

According to Statista, "There were 618,399 reports of child abuse in the United States in 2020 alone."

Pedophilia is a type of psychosexual illness and mental disorder. Basically, someone who is a pedophile is said to have pedophilia. Pedophiles look for opportunities, have intense sexual urges, and show repetitive sexual manners towards vulnerable children.

13 Warning Signs Of A Pedophile

There are always the possible signs pedophiles give if they indicate at children sexually. But do remember, just so someone loves your child and carries them, loves to spend time with them doesn't mean they are pedophiles.

Pedophiles show different behavior with children to get the right opportunities. Here are the 13 warning signs of a pedophile you should watch out for.

1. Pedophiles show an unusual and continuous interest in children and their activities.
2. They maintain purposeful physical contact with children even if they don't want it, like holding, hugging, pressing cheeks, tickling, and kissing.
3. They are trying to spend more time with children, especially if they are alone, rather than spending time with people their own age.
4. Insisting on looking after them, babysitting children for free, and insists on taking children out for a walk, picnic, etc.
5. Ignoring children's boundaries and making them uncomfortable.
6. Looks "too good to be true" and gives special gifts and treats to children for no exact reason.
7. They share inappropriate jokes, suggestive sexual images, and details of their lives with children.
8. They constantly expose children to sexual encounters, interactions, and private details.
9. Teasing and using betitlling languages with children/teens even if they don't want to.
10. Indulging in having "secret" talks with children, whether through texts, emails, games, or giving them sexual materials, even drugs and alcohol.
11. Showing too much interest in the sexuality of a particular child, saying they are developing their body or want to talk about teen dating.
12. "Accidentally" walking on to children when they are in the bathroom, changing dresses, or their rooms.
13. Deliberately making children against their parents, saying they are too strict or don't give them freedom.

These are the common traits that pedophiles have when targeting children. Parents should keep in mind these 13 warning signs of a pedophile. Likewise, if your child has been in contact with a pedophile, they should watch out for those warning signs too. Let us see them below.

Warning signs of a Pedophile for parents

Children may show different signs and behavior if some pedophile is in touch with your children. Parents should observe these warning signs in their children if pedophiles are grooming them.

1. They talk about a new older friend they met or spoke to.
2. Change in children's academic performance and behavior.
3. Sudden changes in mood and behavior.
4. The child possesses new toys, money, games, or toys you don't know about.
5. They become withdrawn from family and friends.
6. Children talk age-inappropriate language and sexual behavior.
7. Sudden nightmares and irregular sleep.
8. Children don't want to go outdoors or to school and stay confined in their room most of the time.

Hence, look out for these signs children show and ensure your child's safety.

Also remember to watch your child’s online activity as there are many predators looking to victimize children online. Parents can use monitoring software and internet filters software for parental controls to ensure their child's digital safety.

How to Protect Your Child?

Your child's safety comes under utmost importance when it comes to your child's safety. There are many people with evil intentions around your children who look at them with a bad eye.

To prevent this from happening to your child, you must ensure their safety. Here are some of the tips you can use for your child's safety.

1. Look for grooming signs, which are signs of winning a child's trust. Pedophiles will not begin physically abusing victims until they have established trust after spending more time with them.
2. Get involved in your child's life – pedophiles and predators sometimes target children who do not receive a lot of parental attention.
3. Teach your children lessons about self-defense, such as that improper contact is never acceptable.
4. Don't discount your child's statements or observations regarding other individuals or events that have occurred in their lives.
5. Warn them about online predators and how to deal with them for their online safety.

Conclusion

Pedophiles, child predators, and child molesters are around your surroundings and among your circle. They are looking for the perfect opportunity, and you never sense it is happening to your child.

You can use the ways mentioned earlier to ensure your child's safety and get an idea of the behavior pedophiles impose on children and teens and the warning signs of pedophiles.

Parents should never leave their child alone, especially with other people, whether they are someone you know from the grocery store or the nice school teacher.

Always talk to your child about their feelings, how their day went, and whom they met, and listen to them if they have any new encounters. And if you suspect anyone doing this behavior to other children, report to the nearest police and contact the child's parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

i. Is pedophilia more typical among men or women?

Pedophilia is much more common in men than in women. There are rare cases of female pedophiles.

ii. Can pedophilia form in an adult who has been drawn to adults?

It is unlikely that an adult who had been attracted to adults develops pedophilia later. There is always a part in pedophiles where they have persistent sexual attractions toward children and teens, not toward adults their own age.