“If sexually abusive educators had tails and horns, matters would be simplified greatly. The fact is, however, they often are well-liked by students and colleagues.” Unfortunately, there’s nothing about the characteristics of a typical pedophile or serial child sex abuser that would set off alarms for parents or administrators:
- Usually an adult male
- Often appears to be hard-working and family-oriented
- Tends to be better educated and more religious that the average person
- Tends to be well-liked by parents and children; a pedophile teacher is often one of the most popular teachers in school
Here’s how pedophiles generally target their victims and allay suspicion:
- They actively seek children who are quiet, needy, or have problems at home
- They also lavish attention on children they don’t abuse, to build a sense of trust by parents and other students
- They find ways to be alone with children; for instance, music teachers or coaches often are in a position to give individual attention to students. In one case, a pedophile teacher volunteered to direct the school’s computer center, because the door was always locked to prevent theft
- They usually accomplish molestation by gradual seduction, not coercion
Warning signs for parents:
- Child suddenly doesn’t want to go to school
- Change in child’s behavior or academic performance at school
- Abrupt mood changes, or aggressive behavior
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Child has unexplained new toys, clothes, or money
- Exhibits age-inappropriate sexual behavior or language
- Loss of appetite
- Child has nightmares or can’t sleep
Sources: Dr. W. Richard Fossey, associate dean of the college of education at Louisiana State University; Craig Emanuel, investigator with the Arizona Department of Education Sources; Child Abuse and Neglect, a book by Roland C. Summit; and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette series, “Dirty Secrets,” by Jane Elizabeth Zemel and Steve Twedt.
