Being accused of a sex crime involving a child is a serious accusation that can result in jail time and a listing as a sex offender. Regrettably, numerous damaging myths and outright lies regarding these cases are commonplace. Defendants find that all these rumors cause problems and they need clarification.
Here are the most common myths and misconceptions about child sex crimes:
Lie #1: Only Men Commit Sexual Crimes With Children
Much of the public mistakenly believe that only men commit sex crimes towards children. However, about 20 percent of all these cases involve a female offender. True, the majority of sex crimes do involve a male perpetrator, but women are also involved in many of these types of crimes with children.
Lie #2: The LGBTQ Community Is More Likely to Abuse Children
Stereotypes are often the center of persecution, especially when the vast majority of the public doesn’t understand a group of people. The LGBTQ community has been long mistreated and included in vicious myths. A homosexual man is often said to be more likely to abuse children than a heterosexual one, but statistics repeatedly show that this is simply not the case.
Lie #3: Strangers Usually Abuse Children
There have been many studies conducted on child sexual abuse cases and researchers have found that most cases don’t involve a stranger. In fact, almost 90 percent of all cases have a perpetrator that is already known to the child. It can be a neighbor, relative, friend, babysitter, member of the clergy, or even a parent.
Lie #4: Children Are Always Honest About Rape and Molestation
One of the most concerning lies is that a child always tells the truth regarding being molested or raped. While it would be nice to think that this statement was accurate, a child can still misrepresent the facts. Some children go as far as fabricating an entire story about their alleged abuse. Sometimes it’s because of a simple misunderstanding, while other times it’s because the child is coached by an adult to bear false witness.
Lie #5: Child Sexual Abuse Is Usually Violent
Most sexual predators use deception or enticement to get a child’s attention. They gain access by using methods that make the child think they are their friend, most of which are nonviolent.
Lie #6: Molestation Usually Happens at Schools or Playgrounds
A schoolyard or playground seems like the perfect place for this crime, but most child sex crimes are committed elsewhere.
Lie #7: Children Can Consent to Sex
No child under the legal “age of consent” can engage in any sexual activity. Even if a child doesn’t expressly say “no” or resist the advances, it’s still a crime.
Lie #8: Sex Offenders Never Change
The community often believes that once a person has committed a sexual crime, they will be more likely to do it again. A study shows that only 13 percent of sex offenders perpetrate again. However, when it comes to non-sex related offenses, the rate of committing another criminal offense increases by 37 percent.
Lie #9: All Sexual Offenders Are Adults
Surprisingly, not all sex crimes are committed by adults. Almost 50 percent of all these crimes are committed by another child or teen under the age of 18. Even prepubescent children have been known to participate in such acts.
Lie #10: Only Guilty People Hire A Lawyer
Actually, a smart person hires a lawyer to help with such a serious charge. Whenever there has been an accusation, or an arrest made regarding child sex crimes, having an educated legal representative on your side is necessary.
Continue reading about the facts and myths of child sex abuse cases.