WHAT ARE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILD SEX OFFENDERS I SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR?
Sex offenders come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adolescents or senior citizens, homeless or executives in Fortune 500 companies, and they can come from any racial, ethnic or religious background. They cannot, therefore, be identified easily. Yet certain behaviors can be a sign of trouble, although it is also important to remember that such behaviors are not always indicative of sexual offending. Some common warning signs can include an adult who: • insists on hugging, kissing, touching, wrestling or holding a child even if the child resists; • is too interested in a child’s developing body, sexuality, dating habits, etc.; • seeks uninterrupted time alone with a child; • spends more time with children than with people his own age, and more time doing activities involving children; • offers to babysit children free of charge and/or takes them on overnight outings alone; • gives children inappropriate gifts or money for no reason; • often walks in on children in the bathroom; • is
