“FROM THE MOUTHS OF SEX OFFENDERS”

Words From Sexual Offenders:
Written by offenders in treatment at the Center for Behavioral Intervention in Beaverton, Oregon

I am probably well-known and liked by you and your child.
I can be a man or woman, married or single.
I can be a child, adolescent, or adult.
I can be of any race, hold any religious belief, and have any sexual preference.
I can be a parent, step-parent, relative, family friend, teacher, clergyman, baby-sitter, or anyone.
I am likely to be a stable, employed, respected member of the community.
My education and my intelligence don’t prevent me from molesting your child.
I can be anybody.
I convince your child they are responsible for my behavior.
I make your child think no one will believe them if they tell.
I tell your child you will be disappointed in them for what they have done “with” me.
I warn your child they will be punished if they tell.
I may threaten your child with physical violence against them, you, a pet, or other loved one.
I may make the child feel sorry for me.
I may “accidentally” expose myself or walk in on children while they are changing or in the bathroom.
I may use situations like tucking kids in at night to touch them sexually.
I may have told my children “this is normal/what all fathers do.”
I may be so good at manipulating children that they may try to protect me because they love me.