Common traits of sex offenders
Be wary, but not paranoid, of adults who have one or several of these behaviors. These common traits of sex offenders should help you raise the red flag on inappropriate relationships between adults and your children. *Adults who seem preoccupied with children *Single adults who work or volunteer with children's clubs/activities and frequently spend their free time doing "special" things with kids *Adults who spend time volunteering with youth groups who do not have children in those groups *Adults who seem to engage in frequent contact with children, i.e., casual touching, caressing, wrestling, tickling, combing hair or having children sit on their lap *Adults who act like children when with children or who allow children to do questionable or inappropriate things *Adults who want to take your children on special outings too frequently or plan activities that would include being alone with your child *Adults who do not have children and seem to know too much about the current fads or music popular with children *Adults that your children seem to like for reasons you don't understand *Adults who seem able to infiltrate family and social functions or are "always available" to watch your kids Related Resources Family Watchdog www.familywatchdog.us The Victims National Center for Missing and Exploited Children www.missingkids.com The Polly Klaas Foundation www.pollyklaas.org Amber Alert www.amberalert.gov http://www2.oprah.com/presents/2005/predator/safety/safety_traits.jhtml

All of these are good points. But just like the ones above they could be innocent gestures. No check list is not absolute. It is merely a guide. So no matter if someone has one trait or all it is not conclusive evidence the person will offend or has.

Top motivations for commiting sex offenses 1. To experience a feeling of power or being in control. 2. To cope with loneliness. 3. To release anger, such as through rape or exhibitionism. 4. To achieve a sense of acceptance, typically with underage victims. 5. A sexual motivation based strictly on sexual interests. 6. A curiosity about sex. SOURCE: Dr. Richard Hamill, president of the Alliance of Sex Offender Service Providers http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060213/NEWS01/602130321/1006