Psychological profile of the pedophile: 8 traits and attitudes in common.

Illness, perversion, sexual tendency...? We analyze the mind of the pedophile.

It is not infrequent that from time to time news items are published in the media regarding cases in which one or more adults have been arrested for pederasty or aspects linked to the practice of activities of a sexual nature with minors.

This is not an isolated phenomenon: it is estimated that between 10 and 25% of the adult population has suffered at some point in their childhood some form of sexual abuse (one of the most common forms of sexual abuse). some type of sexual abuse (one in four girls and one in eight boys).

That is why psychology, criminology and other disciplines have analyzed the characteristics of those who carry out such abuse: pedophiles. Although due to the high variability in the cases there are a large number to take into account, the following are a series of characteristics and elements that have been frequently found when establishing a psychological profile of the pederast.

Pederasty: defining the concept

Pederasty is the situation in which a minor is sexually abused by an adult.. This includes any type of conduct or behavior in which the minor is used as a sexual object, taking advantage of the difference in maturity, age or power between the minor and the other subject.

In general, these subjects usually have their mental capacities preserved, being able to discern at a cognitive level between what is right and what is wrong. That is why they are considered fully conscious and responsible for their acts, and therefore imputable.

Typologies of pedophile

Attempts to classify the behavior and establish a basic profile of the pedophile and pederast have led to the development of some typologies in this regard. Specifically, two basic types have been identified.

1. Situational or incidental pederast

This type of sexual abuser does not have a sexuality restricted to minors, often having a partner with whom he can establish normal relationships. This type of individual does not have a specific preference for a particular type of victim, but rather takes advantage of opportunities to commit abuse..

It is not uncommon for child molesters of this type to have also been abused as children. This is the most frequent type of pedophile and the one most likely to attack members of the same family.

2. Preferential child molester

This type of pedophile tends to have a larger number of victims. They establish a series of characteristics that attract them more than others, and usually have a life more linked to the search for their object of desire..

They do not usually have a partner, or if they do, they use it as a cover, and generally tend to devote themselves to or locate themselves near places with access to minors. They tend to have a more compulsive behavior than situational predators.

Aspects in common among these types of subjects

Although the circumstances surrounding each case are particular and not all characteristics are applicable to all situations, there are a number of elements that tend to be common to the various types of pedophiles.

1. Sex and age

Generally, the typical profile of a pedophile is that of a middle-aged or older pedophile subject.. They are usually males between thirty and fifty years of age, although there are many cases in which the criminal behavior appears from adolescence.

Although the majority of cases are male, there is a certain percentage of cases, ranging from 10 to 25%, in which the abusers are female. For the most part, male perpetrators tend to assault victims between eight and thirteen years of age. In the case of sexual assaults carried out by females, it has been especially detected that the victims tend to be either under five years of age or adolescents.

2. Personality characteristics

As in the case of rapists, pedophiles generally do not tend to exhibit strange behavior. Their behavior is typical and usual in most areas of life.

However, it is possible to observe, especially in preferential pedophiles, the existence of some relatively consistent personality patterns.

In general, the presence of very low self-esteem and low tolerance to stress stand out. In many cases the behavior is carried out impulsively, as a way to get rid of psychosocial stress. In addition, many also have feelings of inferiority, difficulties in their interpersonal many also have feelings of inferiority, difficulties in their interpersonal relationships (although this is not a defining (although this is not defining), and a certain level of immaturity. They tend to be reserved and withdrawn.

3. Lack of empathy

Although it could be included in the previous section, this characteristic deserves a special mention. pedophiles generally have a considerable lack of empathyIn the sense that they are not able to connect with the suffering that their actions generate in the attacked child or they voluntarily choose to ignore this fact.

However, this lack of empathy is usually expressed only in some cases, not in all types of social relationships they maintain. Somehow, they stop empathizing with certain people at convenience, depending on their purposes and motivations.

4. They are usually linked or related to the victims.

In the vast majority of cases, abuser and abused maintain some kind of relationship, usually family, work or neighborhood.In the vast majority of cases, the abuser and the abused maintain some kind of relationship, usually family, work or neighborhood, being infrequent that the act of pederasty is carried out by a stranger.

This is so because it allows the creation of some kind of pact that commits both parties and provides certain security, a protection thanks to which it will be more difficult for the alarms to go off and for the authorities to find out what is happening.

5. They seek contact with minors

Linked to the previous point, as a general rule pedophiles and pedophiles tend to seek frequent contact with their object of desire, minors. That is why in many cases they are linked to the world of education or seek residence in places with easy access to minors.

In fact, pedophiles are usually able to invest months or even years of almost daily contact with children before committing a crime. They create an alibi in the eyes of acquaintances and neighbors so that at first it does not seem strange to surround themselves with minors, and during this stage they minimize the risk of being detected. Thanks to this strategy, they gain more and more opportunities to be alone with the children, since they have the trust of third parties, and they take advantage of it.

6. Previous traumatic experiences

Although it is not a defining fact of pederasty it is not infrequent that those subjects who carry out behaviors of this type have themselves been mistreated and abused in childhood. and abused in childhood. This can lead to a learning process of the stimulating situation in which the child ends up associating sexuality with an abusive situation, replicating the same situation in adulthood.

7. They do not usually use violence

Although in some cases there have been sadistic and cruel elements in the practice of their sexual activities, usually as a result of previous traumatic experiences or as a result of other mental disorders, as a general rule pedophiles do not usually use violence.

Their modus operandi is usually based on approaching and establishing a relationship of trust with the abused child, which is especially evident when we take into account the fact that the child is a victim of sexual abuse.This is particularly evident when we consider that the vast majority of known cases have occurred between individuals who already knew each other beforehand. They gain access to minors through their work, Blood ties or through networks (a phenomenon known as grooming), pretending to understand the minor's life circumstances and producing in them curiosity and affection, trying to approach them little by little.

In fact, in many cases the victims themselves do not initially experience the abuse as such, being manipulated in such a way that they come to think that it is a kind of game or a way of relating to the adult in question.

8. They tend to self-justify

Although in many cases arrested pedophiles have expressed a certain relief upon being arrested, especially in those cases where they feel a sense of guilt, as a general rule, pedophiles tend to self-justify themselves, as a general rule, pedophiles tend to minimize the importance of the act or the harm caused to the victim..

They often indicate that the relationship is not harmful to the child, that it is accepted and/or desired by the child, or that there is an emotional bond that legitimizes the act, and that there is no remorse for the abuse committed.