The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-02-22, Page 21Know the facts, parents
Too much love can molest
BY JOANNE
BUCHANAN
As children most of us
were reminded by our
parents at one time or
other never .to accept a
ride from strangers. This
warning was given as
protection against child
molesters. However,
•child molesters seldom
operate by enticing
children into their cars
and usually they are not
even strangers.
These were just a few
of the facts learried. by
some of the staff at the
Bluewater Centre last
Wednesday when Con-
stable Bill Wilson of the
Goderich Detatchment of
the O.P.P. held a seminar
,. there on child molesting.
With the aid of a film
entitled, Child Molesters:
Fact and Fiction, he
dispelled many myths
about this phenomena.
First' of all, child
molesters were referred
to as pedophiles, meaning .
lovers of children. While
pedophiles basically love
children and mean. them
no harm, they love them
to an abnormal degree.
Their sexual develop-
ment is retarded in such a
way that they can only
'7 relate to children in these
terms. Pedophiles are
usually not violent and
sadistic as once was
believed. They want to,
enjoy a touching, fon-
dling, loving situation as
one child to another.
Girls are most likely to
meet the situation close
to homc whilc boys arc
more apt to meet it
further away. The most
likely places for child
molesting or pedophilia
to occur are in the home
of the child or in the home
of the offender. -Outside
the home, it is most likelY
to occur in a park or
plaza, somewhere close
to the home environment
and not in an out -of -the -
ordinary place.
Pedophiles are usually
relatives or acquain-
tances .of the children,
'someone they know.
Seldom are they
strangers. Often they
have children of their
own and their "victims'
could be playmates of
their own children.
The majority of
pedophiles are men and
the largest group of male
pedophiles are the
middle-aged group.
These men are usually .
withdrawn and unable to
handle the respon-
sibilities of adult life.
They have problems in all
their relationships and
usually have broken
marriages, They regress
into childhood in order to
escape the stress of adult
life.
"They can't cope with
the pressures of everyday
life. Their out is to have a
relationship with a child.
Alcohol and crime rates.
seem to be high in this
age group too," Wilson
told his audience.
The immature
adolescent boy makes up
the next largest group of
pedophiles. This
pedophile is an immature
adult whose sexual
development is retarded
in such a way that he
would rather participate
at a child's own level in
such matters.
' The smallest group of
pedophiles is made up of
lonely and socially
isolated old men who
have probably led per-
fectly moral lives up to a
certain point.. This group
is indeed very small
though and older people
should not be shunned
because of t.he fact, said
Wilson.
Therepeating rate for
first offender pedophiles
.is six to eight per cent
according to the film
,shown by Wilson.
Thechild is the first
person to consider in a
case of child molestation.
Sometimes a child can be
more traumatized by the
overreaction of parents
than by the act of
molestation itself. Mast
children have a certain
degree of guilt about the
situation already.
Sometimes the whole
situation can tid a signal
for a child's needs being
unmet if that child goes
along with the pedophile
to a certain degree.
The police definitely
want to be involved in
cases of child molestation
even if the family wants
to keep it quiet. The
police can handle the
matter quietly and
perhaps prevent other
incidences from hap-
pening by either giving a
warning to the pedophile
or laying a criminal
charge if enough
evidence warrants such
an action.
Wilson would urge
anyone who knows about
cases of child molestation
to call the police or
Family and Children's
Services. This can even
be done anonymously.
But the most important.
thing is to keep children
and parents enlightened
on the subject.
It is difficult for the
police to prevent child
molesting because it is a
crime of situation or
opportunity. Remember.,
a child molester doesn't
have to look like a
disreputable degenerate
with dark clothing. They
generally look just like
everyone else. Maybe the
following list of
precautions will help
protect your children if
you take the time to
explain them.
Never hitchhike or
accept a ride from a
Turn to page 6 •
GODERICH SlGNA.17,-STA,
1HURSD, AY' FEBRUARY 22, 1979—PAGE 5A
• 'N
•
These students were winners in the senior section of
the public speaking contest sponsored by Legion
Branch 109 last Wednesday evening. Left to right
are Margaret Conlon who spoke on sheep and
placed first for Grades 9 and 10; Mary Lillian
Simpson who spoke on names and placed second for
Grades 9 and 10; Marilyn Cox who spoke on in-
dividuality and placed second for Grades 11, 12 and,
13; and Janet Mulholland who spoke on her family
and placed first for Grades 11, 12 and 13. Margaret
and Janet will advance to the zone finals in Brussels
on March 3. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan)
LET US PUT A LITTLE
SPRING IN YOUR WINTER...DURING OUR
jUnco man'
Constable Bill Wilson of the Goderich Detat-
chment of the Ontario Provincial Police spoke to
some of the staff a the Bluewater Centre about
child molestors last Wednesday. (Photo by
Joanne Buchanan)
LET US PUT A LITTLE SPRING IN YOUR
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