Child Abuse
...two years older than the victim, for the purpose of the offender's own sexual gratification is defined as child sexual abuse. It is a problem that society is faced with every day. Sexual abuse of children can be physical or non-physical. Non-physical sexual abuse includes exhibitionism, voyeurism, and child pornography. Physical sexual abuse can be non-violent or violent. This includes fondling of a child's genitals, non-violent sexual intercourse, and violent acts, such as rape. The people that commit these acts are better known as pedophiles. This disorder occurs mostly in males, although it can also occur in women. “Studies show that females commit approximately twenty percent of sex offenses against children” (Reach Me Inc. 23). Sexual abuse of children is one of the most horrible crimes committed that can have extreme effects on a child. Unfortunately, too often offenders are convicted of this crime, serve a sentence of a few years and then are released, in many cases repeating the crime on other children. Child abuse laws are not strict enough.
How can an individual perform such indecent acts on children? No one knows for certain what makes a person become a pedophile. Many convicted sex offenders have been asked what they think happened in their lives to make them commit such terrible offenses. Most of them respond that they were raised by decent families and have no idea what could have caused this unusual behavior. Some researchers agree that "bad parenting is not the cause of pedophile tendencies" (Gardener 56). Some pedophiles say they wish they could stop and are sorry while others brag about their actions and look forward to repeating their crimes. Past sexual acts on a child can increase the likelihood of sexually aggressive behavior. “Among adult sex offenders, approximately thirty percent have been sexually abused” (Luten 12)....
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