FREE RESOURCES
ON CHILD ABUSE
Misconceptions vs. Facts
Misconception: “Stranger Danger!” Pedophiles are lurking around every corner looking to take children.
FACT: More than 90% of abuse is by someone the abused knows. Only 10% of kids who are abused do not know their perpetrator.
Misconception: You can spot a child molester. They are creepy looking and usually drive a van with no windows.
FACT: There is no visual profile of a molester. Predators can be from any walk of life. They can be married with children or unmarried, professional or unemployed, young or older. Basically, an abuser can be any race, class, religion, or age.
Misconception: All predators are men.
FACT: While most child sexual predators are men, there is an astonishing amount of abusers who are children themselves. There are also a small amount of women child sexual abusers.
Helpful Resources (USA)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
US Dept of Health and Human Services
Sex Offender Map United States
State by state toll-free numbers for specific agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect