Kids Live Safe is dedicated to protecting your family from sexual predators. Review Kids Live Safe's 10 Myths about sexual predators and find out the truth about this sensitive subject. Visit www.kidslivesafe.com to find out if a sex offender lives near you & take the necessary steps to protect your children!

1. 10mythsabout sexual predators

2. myth#1
myth is: sexual assaults
are generally committed by
strangers to the family & child.
TRUTH IS:
93% of molestations of children are not
committed by strangers, but by people who are
known and trusted within or about the family.
For child abuse victims, 60% of boys and 80%
of girls were assaulted by a family member or
acquaintance.

3. myth#2
myth is: Child molesters
spontaneously victimize when
they see a vulnerable child.
TRUTH IS:
Child predators take the time to gain a parent’s
trust. They choose their potential victims very
carefully, specifically going after children who seek
attention and seem lost or lonely in the world.
Child molesters act in a seemingly positive manner,
showing interest in the child & gaining their trust to
deploy any suspicions of their motives.

4. myth#3
myth is: all sex offenders look
similar & can be easily detected
as “creepy” & “dangerous”
TRUTH IS:
Sex offenders & child molesters are not easily
recognizable, nor do they all look alike.
Predators come in all shapes and sizes, and
may seem like trustworthy, loving people at a
first glance. They will most likely be exuding this
persona to decrease suspicions.

5. myth#4 myth is: Most sex offenders pay
for their crimes & are convicted
& locked away in prison.
TRUTH IS:
Only 32 % of sexual assaults against persons 12 or
older are reported to law enforcement.
When sexual offenders are reported, they are
eventually released to the public under parole
supervision or probation.
90 % of all sex offenders are living in communities
nationwide without having ever been charged.
find out if an offender lives near your family by visiting www.kidslivesafe.com

6. myth#5 myth is: all sex
offenders are men.
TRUTH IS:
Although the vast majority of all predators
are indeed men, women also make up a small
portion of offenders.
Studies show that females commit approximately
20% of sex offenses against children.

7. myth#6
myth is: sex offender
treatment is ineffective.
TRUTH IS:
Those who cooperate with treatment are less likely
to reoffend than those who reject intervention.
First-time offenders have lower reoffense rates
than repeat offenders. Offenders who go through
probation and treatment are less likely to reoffend
than those who violate their release terms.

8. myth#7
myth is: sexually assaulted
children will sexually assault
others when they are older.
TRUTH IS:
In fact, the opposite. Most sex offenders were
not sexually assaulted as children.
Although vitctims are more likely to portray
sexually aggressive behavior, most children who
are assaulted at a young age do not grow up to
sexually assault others.

9. myth#8
myth is: most predators will keep
offending after getting caught
the first time.
TRUTH IS:
Only 5.3% of overall sex offenders imprisoned for
sex crimes are re-arrested for subsequent sexual
offenses.
For child molesters specifically, there is a 13%
reconviction rate. However, since not all sex crimes
are reported, keep in mind that these numbers
may be skewed.

10. myth#9 myth is: Youths do not commit
sexual offenses.
TRUTH IS:
Sexual offenses committed by adolescents is a rising
concern.
It is currently estimated that adolescents account for
up to 1/5 of all rapes and 1/2 of child molestation
cases committed each year. 36% of all sex offenders
who victimize children are juveniles. 7 out of 8 are at
least 12 years old, and 93% are males.

11. myth#10 myth is: residency restrictions &
laws make communities safer.
TRUTH IS:
Residency restrictions are a new phenomenon and
it is unclear whether or not they actually help make
communities safer. One study found that on average,
most sex offenders travel around 1 mile from their
home to commit their crime.
Residency laws can drive offenders into
homelessness, which may make it more difficult to
track and supervise their activity.

12. it is important to be aware of these facts &
take the necessary steps to protect your
family from sexual predators.
visitwww.kidslivesafe.comtostartprotectingyour
children today. find out if sex offenders live near
you & set up alerts to monitor your neighborhood.
myths