Replies

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/innocent.htm

TODAY'S INNOCENT IMAGES

Today, the FBI's IINI focuses on:

individuals who indicate a willingness to travel interstate for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a minor; and major producers and/or distributors of child pornography.

In addition, the IINI works to identify child victims and obtain appropriate services/assistance for them.

Online child pornography/child sex exploitation is the most significant crime problem confronting the FBI that involves crimes against children. Throughout the FBI, there was a 1,264% increase in the number of IINI cases opened between fiscal years 1996 and 2000 from 113 to 1,541. It is anticipated that the number of cases opened and the resources utilized to address the crime problem will continue to rise during the next several years.

http://www.heartland.org/education/jan00/profile.htm

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.

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