Sexual Exploitation by Child Molesters - Coursework Example

Sexual Exploitation by Child Molesters Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Sexual Exploitation by Child Molesters Intervention Efforts Directed at Parents of Child Sex Victims: Sexual abuse of children mostly occurs because parents are not able to identify potential perpetrators and, therefore, there exists a need for intervention to offer parents a portrayal of the types of activities that a molesters generally employ to attract their victims into the sexual act.

This is very significant because in most of the cases, relatives of children or family friends, rather than strangers, are the perpetrators of such molestations. Thus, basically, there exists the need for a system to create awareness in parents as well as children about different ways and means in which child molesters win the trust of children and then groom them, to subsequently establish sexual relationship with them. On the other hand, the parents of victimized children undergo a lot of mental agony and, more often than not, become subjects of social stigma.

They also need intervention to help them overcome the trauma and associated difficulties in dealing with the problems. Besides, such parents will also require intervention in “addressing their children’s behavior difficulties” (Lev-Wiesel, 2008, p.667). In this context, an essential intervention is to provide them training in “child behavior management strategies” as well as appropriate communication techniques so that possibilities can be developed for creating “opportunities for therapeutic discussions regarding the abuse” (p.667). Though child molestation happens due to no fault of the child or parents, the society sometimes stigmatize children who fall victim to sex abuse as well as their parents.

Thus, the parents may feel social isolation and a sense of guilt. Therefore, they need to be provide suitable counseling to address such problems. A pilot study conducted by Forbes et al suggests five major intervention efforts for the parents of sexually abused children, which include: (a) “empathy and education” on child abuse with a focus on the “grooming process” and the effects it can have on the child (b) updating on the “investigative process” (c) evaluating the “emotional and behavioral” responses in parents as well as in the child (d) reinforcing a process of “competent parenting” and (e) counseling on how to cope up with the difficulties that the child may confront (Forbes, 2003, p.66). Compassion and an understanding of the parent’s dilemma is, however, the most significant intervention that can help parents in such situations to cope with the problem.

The Importance of Child Pornography and Erotic Collection to the Child Molester: The term child molester can be understood as referring to a person who receives sexual stimulation from prepubescent children, and research evidence suggests that an individual, who uses “child pornography in preference to adult pornography” over a period of six months or more ails from the problem of “pedohebephilic disorder” (Lanning, 2010, p.20). Therefore, it can be construed that child molesters do attach high significance to child pornography and erotic collection, as such material can act as a sexual stimuli for them.

Another study by Lanning (1992) reveals that child molesters do not merely watch erotica and pornographic materials but they are keen to collect them as these “represent their most cherished sexual fantasies” (p.23). The author also suggests that “socioeconomic status” of the pedophile, his or her “living arrangements” as well as age is the factor that determines the size of their collection (p.23). Candice Kim, in her article “From Fantasy to Reality: The Link between Viewing Child Pornography and Molesting Children” claims that “there is a correlation between individuals who collect and disseminate child pornography” and those who actually engage in the act of sexual abuse of children (Kim, 2004).

This confirms the presumption that child erotica and pornography act as stimulants for molesters who involve in child sexual abuse. Kim’s article also argues that child molesters also use pornography as a tool in the process “grooming” their victims to facilitate the “transition from a nonsexual relationship to a sexual relationship” (Kim, 2004). Besides, they also deploy child pornography to “break down the child’s barriers to sexual behavior” as well as to relay his or her sexual fantasies to the victim (Kim, 2004).

Children have a natural tendency of being inquisitive and their curiosity to know things may sometimes encourage them to watch pornographic materials. Child abusers know this tendency and they try to make the best use of it, by alluring them with pornographic materials. Thus, it transpires that child pornography and erotica have a significant role in the life of a child molester as these are the devices that help him or her to groom the child and communicate the sexual intentions in graphic details, apart from acting as sexual stimulants.

Reference List Forbes, F. et al. (2003). Early Intervention Service for Non-abusing Parents of Victims of Child Sexual Abuse: Pilot Study. The British Journal of Psychiatry, (183). Retrieved from Kim, C. (2004). From Fantasy to Reality: The Link between Viewing Child Pornography and Molesting Children. Child Sexual Exploitation Program Update, Vol.1, No.3. Retrieved from Lanning, K. V. (2010). Child Molesters: A Behavior Analysis for Professionals Investigating the Sexual Exploitation of Children.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Retrieved from Lanning, K. V. (1992). Child Molesters: A Behavior Analysis for Professionals Investigating the Sexual Exploitation of Children. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Retrieved from Lev-Wiese, R. (2008). Chile Sexual Abuse: A Critical Review of Intervention and Treatment Modalities. Children and Youth Services Review, (30). Elsevier. Retrieved from