Child Predators?

Question

Do you think there are more child predators/molesters now than there were 30 years ago? Or is there just more media coverage on the topic now?

I'd like to thank everyone that's given a good answer so far. As for the first person, I don't understand how this question is in anyway going to hurt a child that reads it. Maybe you're just a little sensative.

Answer 1

There is the closely the same amount, there might be slightly more, because porn access nowadays makes it easier for people to get in touch with that side of themselves and drive themselves towards perversion. Relatively though there has always been a lot of sexual predators, our advances in technology has brought this more into the public eye, for instance sex offender registries. Unfortunately we see a lot of older men, even in there 80's and 90's who have admitted to molesting children for many years, now being brought to justice, and we can only assume what other predators are still out there, repeating and not being caught. Good question, unfortunate answers.

Answer 2

Its absolutely the media coverage.It seems in the US they go on these crusades revolving around big trials.When OJ Simpson was not convicted,all of a sudden there was an outcry and a need to prosecute domestic violence.And prosecruters went crazy with it.They are doing the same thing now with this new pet peeve.If you dont think all the attention brought to this issue is fueled by the Micheal Jackson trials then you are living in neverland!!Granted,this is an important issue.And no Im not really sure if there is more or less abuse,but I guarantee over the next couple of years there will be a record number of prosecutions.Not because it is more prevalant,but because there is more money in it for the lawyer swine to feed on.Can you guess what there next little project will be.

Answer 3

Previous generations were more conservative, also media was not as common or popular today. Who had a TV 30 years ago? Nowhere near as many people today. Media has blown the risk to children out of proportion - but only in one respect;

"Stranger Danger' is taught from early ages. Everyone tells their kids to stay away from strangers. But the sad reality is the majority of all child abuse occurs by friends and family members - and this goes unnoticed or unpublisized. Many families deal with these things quietly and in their own way: keep it quiet and pretend everything is okay.

It's seen as a huge embarassment and shame to the family, just as rape victims feel embarassed and ashamed of theirselves, families feel the same way as an entity.

The problem with child abuse, also, is that there are no less molestors than 30 years ago, but with the internet and other technologies pedophiles and molestors have an exponential growth of access to children and materials.

The problem with comparing generations is each generation had different moral standards, different information and media priorities, and therefore it's impossible to accurately compare the two.

Answer 4

I actually think there is more media coverage these days, but I still think there were as many child predators then as there is now. In the past there was a lot of incest going on and a lot of family cover up. Also forensics are better today and there is no "their word against my word" so much now. I know kids can't be wrapped in "kid gloves", but as a mother of three, I wish a lot more parents would keep a closer eye on their children

Answer 5

I think that there are more vulnerable kids now than there were 30 years ago. With rampant divorce, out of wedlock births, and daycare, many children are not getting the emotional support that they need and the predators can spot them and take advantage of them. And there is more child porn that is easily accessible which would tend to motivate predators to do their evil deeds. So yes, I think there are more predators and victims than there were 30 years ago.

Answer 6

If there are more it would probably be because the population is more.I am old enough to go back 30 years x two.Anyway I was in an orphanage and most of the so-called caregivers were child abusers of 1 kind or another.Mental-Physical-Sexual.It was all there and yet back then any reporting on it was near nonexistant.

Answer 7

Media coverage

Answer 8

I think it's media coverage. There have always been child predetors, but I think the internet makes it easier for predetors to to exploit children, contact one another and even learn how to target and abuse kids. It's a scary thing.

Answer 9

Yes I think there are more but I think thats because children are more accessable now by the ways of internet and children have more privilages and independance now than they did 20 years ago.

Answer 10

Hype: there are much fewer children getting molested now than when I was coming up. Many of my little friends had bad experiences.