Internet Sexual Predators and Their Victims

Today’s Academic Newswire has a fascinating review of a new study entitled, “Online Predators and Their Victims: Myths, Realities and Implications for Prevention.”
Guess what? It is the same old thing: young guys hit on young girls, and some young guys hit on younger girls. Except now they do it a lot on the Internet. Except now it is a crime—an actively prosecuted crime in fact.

Why else is this interesting? Because, contrary to common belief and contrary to what many legislators apparently want us to believe: “MOST ONLINE SEX OFFENDERS ARE YOUNG MALES WHO TAKE THE TIME TO DEVELOP THEIR VICTIMS’ TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.” They are NOT pedophiles posing as young men to lure their victims. They are young men of legal age.

The victims are young girls, not yet of legal age, who have begun seeing the relationship in romantic and then sexual terms. Same old, same old

Lead author of the study, Janis Wolak, said, “ Most Internet-initiated sex crimes involve adult men who are open about their interest in sex. In most cases, the victims are aware that they are talking to adults.”

Among other interesting findings:

Nearly 75% of sex crime victims who met offenders face to face did so more than once
Girls who engage in 4 or more risky online behaviors—such as discussing sex online and allowing strangers to join their buddy lists—are much more likely to be victims of sex crimes
Gay boys are most susceptible to Internet sex crimes, accounting for almost one-quarter of criminal cases

The study concluded:

“Internet sex crimes involving adults and juveniles more often fit the
model of statutory rape—adult offenders who meet, develop relationships
with, and openly seduce underage teenagers—than a model of forcible
sexual assault or pedophilic child molesting.”

In other words, another example of why the Adam Walsh Act should be scrapped.

For a full look at this excellent study, go to Online "Predators" and Their Victims: Myths, Realities, and Implications for Prevention and Treatment