A comparative study of demographic data relating to intra- and extra-familial child sexual abusers and professional perpetrators

Abstract

This study explores the demographic and behavioural characteristics of professional perpetrators who sexually abused children with whom they worked. Through interviews with 41 professional perpetrators, their demographic information was compared to non-work-based child abusers to identify significant differences. Results revealed that professional perpetrators were more likely to be sexually interested in same-sex children and that the majority became aware of their sexual arousal to children by the age of 21. Additionally, many had already committed a sexual offence against a child by this age. Findings highlighted motivations for seeking employment with children, with 15% indicating that access to children for abuse was their exclusive reason for choosing their profession. Grooming and manipulation strategies were also identified, including arranging to meet children outside work to facilitate abuse.