Child molestation is a common form of molestation across the globe. Discussing this alarming fact has been shunned for centuries, but has recently moved to the forefront in the media and justice systems during the twenty first century. The crime of child molestation deals with adults and children.
When an adult touches a person under the age of eighteen in an inappropriate manner and with the the intent of engaging in sexual activity, they are child molesters. Violating a child who has no understanding of what sexual activity entails is against the law. Many children do not speak up because they feel scared, confused, or shocked at the initial action itself. This often happens when the child molesters are adults that the child may know or respect.
Child molestation can occur anywhere and at anytime and is considered a form of child abuse. There have been situations where a person has molested a child within their own family, which is known as incest. In these cases, the child molesters are often protected for the sake of the family name or reputation. This negatively affects the child because proper therapy or treatment is often avoided. Child molestation can occur by siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and parents.
Today, society allows opportunities to prevent themselves in which children can be placed in danger. Child molestation sometimes merges into kidnapping situations, where a child is abducted, where children can be harmed further. These situations can be avoided by being selective of those let into one’s family life. Parents can never be too over protective of their children, since the children can find themselves helpless against people bigger and stronger than them.
In certain situations, a child can be away from their parents for eight hours or more, giving molesters the opportunities to attack. Throughout communities the awareness of child molestation and abuse has increased over the years. Public lists of child molesters in the area are available so that families can make decisions on housing, and child regulation. Local, state, and national government entities also offer programs in which prevention tips, advice, and support can be provided to families.
