NCJ Number
93133
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1984) Pages: 22-31
Date Published
1984
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement responses to child sexual exploitation crimes is inadequate because of ignorance of the nature of the offense and of the ways of the offenders.
Abstract
Pedophiles prefer to think of their strong sexual inclination to children as a lifestyle, not an illness. The victims are vulnerable because of unmet needs such as the need to feel wanted, the need for affection, and in some cases the need to survive, and they cooperate with the adults in order to fulfill these needs. The offenders place tremendous pressure on their victims, and they bind the children into a silent conspiracy. Pedophiles prefer to operate within their own neighborhoods, although many correspond with other pedophiles, thereby acquiring a fresh supply of victims. The child pornography problem is a side effect of child molestation that intensifies as pedophiles increase contact with one another. As child pornography mailing lists encompass tens of thousands of customers, the investigator must proceed on the assumption that any given case is connected to many others. Law enforcement agencies do not recognize the conspiracy element of sexual exploitation of children. The passive stance of law enforcement is particularly harmful in view of the low rate of reporting. Only the use of specialized techniques can reduce child exploitation. To be effective, law enforcement agencies must first overcome ignorance, poor communication, and lack of coordination and curb their tendency to deny and minimize the problem. Footnotes are included.