The different Faces of 'Hidden Crime": Confusions, Contradictions, and Controversies about Pedophilia

• In Event: Investigating Sexual Predators and Domestic Partner Violence

Abstract

This paper identifies nature and characteristics of pedophiles and suggest appropriate public policies related to this issue. Child molestation is a horrific crime, and each society a large number of kids, both boys and girls, are victims of this crime, most of which are not reported to the authority. A significant numbers of child molesters are pedophiles, who are sexually attracted to pre-adolescent children.
Pedophiles are different from other criminals and each type of pedophiles have some unique characteristics. Scholarly writings are limited and criminal justice policies are inadequate towards preventing this horrific ‘hidden’ crime. After identifying the importance of addressing this issue, this paper is objected to describe the very different natures of pedophiles, as well as suggest specific, appropriate, practical, preventive criminal justice measures regarding this issue.

Author

• Fatematul Jannat, Southern University, Baton Rouge