..Understanding the Seduction Process
Most child victims in multiple-victim-exploitation cases were seduced or groomed over time.....I have given many presentations describing the dynamics of multiple-victim cases and seduction techniques of preferential child molesters (pedophiles). After many of these presentations, adult male members of the audience have approached me in private and admitted they were victimized as boys. Most stated they had never before told anyone of their victimization, but were now able to tell because they realized I understood the problem and they were not the only ones so victimized...
..In a relationship founded on seduction, the most likely threat is not to use force or violence but to withhold attention and affection or end the relationship...
..The dynamics of their victimization must be considered. They are embarrassed and ashamed of their behavior and rightfully believe society will not understand their victimization. Many younger child victims are most concerned about the response of their parents/guardians and often describe their victimization in ways they believe will please their parents/guardians. Adolescent victims are typically more concerned about the response of their peers..
..Before beginning the interview the investigator must understand the victim
may have many positive feelings for the offender and even resent law-enforcement intervention. Because of the bond with the offender, victims may even warn the offender. Even the occasional victim who comes forward and discloses may feel guilty and then warn the offender. They may even return to law enforcement with a hidden tape recorder to try to catch the investigator making inappropriate comments or using improper interview techniques. Reluctance to disclose may be more due to affection for the offender than to fear of the offender...
..Not being judgmental,
as with developing rapport, may be much more difficult with a delinquent adolescent who actively participated in his victimization. Investigators often nonverbally communicate their judgmental attitude unknowingly through gestures, facial expressions, and body language. The victim must come to understand any truthful answer is acceptable, including “because I enjoyed it.”..
[This little boy sporting an $80 adult-applied botique "face" complete with subtle eye shades and lipliner and a "come-hither" pose supposedly believes his penis is a mistake..reports his daughterless-mother..who probably has the credit card that bought all the trappings for his room..yes, this is a little boy..
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3088298&page=1 ]
..The investigator must communicate to the victim he or she is not at fault even though the victim did not say no, did not fight, did not tell, initiated the sex, or even enjoyed it. When the victim comes to believe the investigator understands what he experienced, he or she is more likely to talk...
..In the absence of some compelling special circumstance, the interview of a child possibly seduced by an acquaintance molester should
never be conducted in the presence of parents/guardians. The presence of the parent/guardian increases the likelihood the child will just deny or give the socially or parentally acceptable version of the victimization...
..If all else fails the investigator can try the no-nonsense approach. No matter what the investigator does, most adolescent boy victims will deny they were victims...
..After disclosing, some victims will later recant or change their stories.
The offender may also continue to manipulate the victims after investigation and disclosure. The offender may appeal to the victim’s sympathy. He may make a feeble attempt at suicide to make the victims feel guilty or disloyal. Some offenders may threaten the victims with physical harm or disclosure of the blackmail material. Some offenders may bribe the victim and his family. Even after they disclose and testify in court, some victims then recant and claim they perjured themselves. Although in some cases the recantation may be valid, it is most likely the result of blackmail, feelings of guilt about the offender being in prison, or shame over their behavior...
..Understanding the Preferential Offender
Preferential sex offenders may be “pillars of the community” and are often described as “nice guys.” They almost always have a means of access to children (e.g.,
marriage, neighborhood, occupation) Determining their means of access helps identify potential victims...
Men sexually attracted to young adolescent boys are the most persistent and
prolific child molesters known to the criminal-justice system. Depending on howone defines molestation, they can easily have dozens if not hundreds of victims in a lifetime. They usually begin their activity when they are teenagers themselves and continue throughout their lives as long as they are physically able.
...Not all parents/guardians react the same way to the alleged sexual victimization of their children. Some are supportive and cooperative. Others overreact, and some even deny the victimization. Sometimes there is animosity and mistrust among parents/guardians with differing reactions. Some parents/guardians even rally to the support of the accused perpetrator...
...There can be great frustration when, after a thorough investigation, an investigatoris convinced something traumatic happened to the child victim but does not know with any degree of certainty exactly what happened, when it happened, or who did it. That is sometimes the price we pay for a criminal-justice system in which people are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt...
