by: Brenda Hoffman

While most people understand that acts such as kissing, fondling, rape and sodomy are all included in the definition of child sexual abuse, there are other elements that are not always visible, especially to the average person, but also fall under the category of child sexual abuse. Here are 3 elements of a person's behavior that will provide you with a better understanding of the offender's behaviors.

Power and Control: Is the offender considerably older than the victim? Is the offender larger in size than the victim? Is the offender more emotionally advanced than the victim? Is the offender in a position of authority over the victim (ie a teacher, preacher, coach, parent, etc)? Offenders have power over their victims whenever they use manipulation, intimidation, coercion, bribary, trickery or force.

Advanced Sexual Knowledge: Does the offender have a highly-developed knowledge of the consequences and dangers associated with the sexually abusive act? Is he more physically and emotionally advanced than his or her victim? Younger children are uncapable of truly comprehending the meaning of the sexual act and therefore they cannot consent to it.

Sexual Gratification: The ultimate goal of the average pedophile or child molester is sexual gratification. This is often justified by the offender believing that they were sexually satisfying their victims. This is not true! The only true reason that the offender would attempt to arouse, seduce or entice his victim is to bring sexual gratification to themselves. Think about very young children... They truly cannot become aroused so it should be obvious that the offender is the only one being aroused and receiving sexual gratification.

Now that you have a broader understanding of child sexual abuse, you're better equipped to protect your children from those whose behaviors are suspicious.