Six degrees of Pedophiles and Sexual Predators by Jon Searles

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	Six degrees of Pedophiles and Sexual Predators
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	Submitted Sunday, July 29, 2007
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Stories of pedophiles and sexual predators seem to be much more numerous in today’s media. Investigative news reports like MSNBC “To Catch a Predator" series have found no shortage in men with deviant obsessions involving sex with minors. They seem to be able to find men in any state and any city. I have visions of people standing in line much like American Idol waiting for their turn to explain why they have showed up at the house of a person they thought was a teen or preteen ready to be indoctrinated into the ever growing number of victims of pedophiles and sexual predators. Reality television at its worst. The Catholic Church will forever be financially challenged, verbally chastised, and comically lambasted for its contribution and cover up of sexual abuse, which will greatly hurt the work of the true teachers of God’s word that exist in the church.

The primary victims are children and women. I know there are several widely publicized and quietly ignored instances of women becoming predators but the primary distinction falls to males. Whatever is “broken" in the heads of these individuals it does not appear to be getting any better. Many were possibly victims themselves and because of that they can find compassionate ears. Professional e ars that hear the cries of troubled individuals who somehow had their “sexual switch" miswired to include abnormal and peculiar desires are working to treat these individuals but we run into a very tough situation. My hope and prayer is that they are able to help some of these people. The misguided individuals come from all socioeconomic groups and include all levels of education and profession.

Here is an interesting argument for you. I am one who believes that the natural order of things involves men’s attraction to women and women’s attraction to men. Our society’s age restrictions are valid and consensual sex is appropriate for adults. My faith tells me it should only occur between men and women who are married. But again, an adult decision should be made by adults. Homosexuality is not easily answered but some feel people are born as gay some feel they become gay but it is not something that can be cured or removed from a person’s personality and character. What adults do consensually with adults is not mine to judge, whatever my personal feelings may be. If our “sexual switch" is set at birth or our sexual preferences learned through life and it is not something that can be changed or cured, where does that leave pedophilia and sexually malformed behavior? If heterosexual or homosexual men and women can not be “cured" from their sexual impulses and desires, can the monsters that shatter the lives of children and unsuspecting victims be cured of their nature and irregular sexual desires? Medical research, criminology experts, and the arguments of gay right’s activists seem to indicate that once the switch is set, it is set for life.

I feel we are in the midst of an epidemic of deviant sexual behavior. True, it has existed since the beginning of man’s societies on earth, but it is becoming very ominous and threatening. Maybe the new world wide media is just bringing the evil into the light and we are able to now see what was hushed at family reunions, and whose screams and cries were kept quietly behind the doors of American homes. At one time in not so distant history, homosexuality was considered the inappropriate behavior that was considered a blight on society. Homosexuality has since reached a point of open acceptance despite continued opposition in some parts of society, but it has definitely become more main stream and accepted. We have learned to accept the gay community. Laws are in place to stop hate and crime against the citizens of the gay community. They have pushed for equality in society and have received it in most venues. I have good friends and family who are openly gay and we share open debate about the subject with mutual respect and love for each other.

Much like the popular parlor game “Six degrees of Kevin Bacon" in which individuals are tasked with connecting Kevin Bacon in no more than 6 steps to any actor in television and movies making Mr. Bacon the hub of the entertainment world, each of you should play an adjusted version of this game. How many degrees of separation are between you and a known pedophile or sexual predator? How many degrees of separation are between you and a victim? It scares the hell out of me.

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» left by Hannah Quinn ^(18,506)
Hannah Quinn (2 years 73 days ago.)

Jon
This is definitely a hot potato in terms of debate. On the one hand, it is a positive that this subject is discussed. It can only flourish in the darkness of secrecy, and the victims will only suffer more by their sense of shame being deepened by such secrecy. On the other hand, the risk of over-exposure can turn people away from something they see as too hard or too aberrant to deal with. This is an unfortunate side of bringing a once taboo subject into the light. You definitely raise some interesting points and I thank you for them. However, unlike homosexuality, which I'm glad is accepted more widely these days, I doubt pedophilia will or can ever be accepted on any level. It always involves victims. Children cannot ever give consent. As to your point about whether offenders can be 'cured', it doesn't seem optimistic at this time does it. They have to be viewed as recidivists and treated accordingly, even if this means keeping them apart from society for the rest of their lives. As most offenders are part of or known to the families of the victims, we all need to be vigilant and aware and prepared to listen to our children, who often cry for help in couched terms.
Hannah

» left by Leah ^(12,420)
Leah (2 years 73 days ago.)

Very well written but I think you'll find the answer to your question in much less than 6 degree's. When I was a child (say 14) I was aware of the following going on in my street (which was about 400yards long).

The 8yr old boy next door was sexually abused by his granmothers boyfriend.
The 6yr old boy up the road was sexually abused by a 13yr old boy.
Round the corner an 8 yr old girl was having sex with her 13yr old brother.

This was happenning in the same time period, so clearly a lot more besides was happenning prior and after with other families.

Myself, I was followed as a child by a 'flasher' twice, one was on a bike and exposing himself , another was walking. Once a man offered a friend of mine £5 to perform sexual acts on him.

The figures are frightening.

» left by Leah ^(12,420)
Leah (2 years 73 days ago.)
I forgot to add, I'm not aware of anything now and haven't been since. In those days children associated with each other in the neighbourhood so we always seemed to know more about what was happenning than the adults.

» left by Jon Searles ^(2,180)
Jon Searles (2 years 73 days ago.)
You are definitely correct about less than 6. I worked with a church youth group for 15 years and the stories in those young lives are very sad. We would teach a class to our kids to look for the dangers. The more kids know the more than can help protect others and themselves.

Thanks for reading!

» left by Susan Thom ^(11,699)
Susan Thom (2 years 72 days ago.)

hi jon,
this was a very good, non judgmental article, and filled with information that we adults, especially those with kids, should be very aware of.
i also have frineds and family members who are gay, and have talked about the non control of the way they think and feel. i think pedophiles are in a group of their own, and need psychological help if they are ever going to have some sort of knowledge put into their heads about the pain and turmoil they cause their prospects for the rest of their lives. i have thought often, that at least i got my kids to 16, 20, and 22 without this happening to them, as it is rampant, and no towns or states are exempt. all is lost when a child is sexually molested-their self esteem, self confidence, level of fear, hopelessness, and hatred. thanks for taking the time to write about this very serious and prevalent problem in our society.
best wishes,
sue thom

» left by Judi Lake ^(1,904)
Judi Lake (2 years 72 days ago.)

Jon, being Catholic, the first response I always get from people is always connected with 'boys'. It is hard times we are living in and I worry what the future will hold for our children. The internet is wonderful for many yet is has become such a resourceful tool for the predator. This whole thing frightens me tremendously and, like you, it 'scares the hell out of me' as well. Thanks for a powerful article!

» left by James P Krehbiel (2 years 70 days ago.)

Jon,
I am not sure that we have learned as a society to accept homosexuality, as we merely have set certain laws in place. In no way should homosexuality even be loosely associated with pedophilia. They are not connected. Thanks for a thought-provoking article.

» left by Lorraine from New Jersey (1 year 172 days ago.)

The problem is the subjective interpretation of behavior which goes against that which is right. Homosexuality is wrong. Period. Sexual relations between men is as deviant as sexual relations between women. Infidelity stems from ego and boredom. Men cheat when normalcy is boring and they have a desire to satisfy deviant tendencies. The "kinky sex" Governor Spitzer had with whores is disgusting and disgraceful, but immoral people get their kicks from "kicking it up a notch" by engaging in sexually perverse behavior.

Until people are called out for their deviance and deviant behavior stops being "accepted" as the norm, there will be no change. People can't condemn the vocation for the act, like they do the Catholic Church for the homosexual acts of pedophiles. Any vocation with a pre-requisite against heterosexual sex, is bound to attract those for whom this poses no sacrifice.

Right is right and wrong is wrong. People know the difference regardless of whether they choose to admit it.

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