16/10/2023
What is a Sexual Predator?
A s*xual predator is a person who seeks out s*xual contact with another person in a predatory or abusive manner. People who are s*xual predators may or may not have committed s*x crimes — like s*xual harassment, assault, r**e, and pe******ia — but all s*xual predators have sought out inappropriate contact in one way or another.
1/Creating Dependency
A s*xual predator may begin manipulating their chosen victim to create dependency and intimacy. In the beginning, they may be very attentive, showering the individual with gifts, praise, phone calls, and texts.
This creates a feeling in the victim that the perpetrator has a special bond with them. The victim may feel that the perpetrator can provide something nobody else can — and they are the only person who truly understands, respects, and cares for the victim. This builds loyalty and vulnerability, which the s*xual predator can then use to their advantage.
2/Using Manipulative Language
You may notice a potential s*xual predator using manipulative language. They may insult or mock the victim on their behavior, appearance, clothes, friends, or other parts of their personal life. When challenged on this behavior, they may lie and twist the information, making the victim feel as though they are at fault. They may repeatedly focus on their own feelings in order to make the victim feel guilty for hurting them.
Some predators may also engage in gaslighting. Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where the perpetrator makes a person question their thoughts, memories, and events they have experienced. The goal of gaslighting is to force the victim to question their own memory, or even their sanity, in favor of the abuser’s version of events.
3/Pushing Physical and Sexual Boundaries
Sexual predators may push past healthy boundaries. This behavior may begin with seemingly innocent touches on the back, hand, or leg. But it may escalate to inappropriate touching on the thigh, near the ge****ls, on breasts, or even fondling without the person’s consent.
If the predator is already in a relationship with the victim, they may cross pre-established boundaries or fail to ask for consent. They may use manipulation to push the person to carry out tasks they are not comfortable with.
For children, this can look like rubbing the child’s leg, drying them off with a towel, changing their clothes, hugging, or cuddling. This may then escalate to more s*xual behavior.
Before doing so, the predator may introduce and normalize ideas of s*x to the child. By talking to the child about s*x, making suggestive jokes, showing them po*******hy, or encouraging them to be naked together, they may be able to introduce s*xual activity by telling the child it’s a “game".
4/Expressing Jealousy and Controlling Behavior
In many cases, the s*xual predator may be jealous and controlling around friends, family members, or other romantic interests. They may monitor the victim’s social media activity, personal life, and day-to-day activities.
This can be taken a step further, to the point where the predator becomes controlling. They may seek to limit the victim’s contact with others, especially those of the opposite s*x.
Dealing with Sexual Predators
In some cases, these warning signs can be innocent. Others may be signs of emotional or physical abuse, but not s*xual abuse.
However, if you strongly suspect someone you know may be a s*xual predator—or may be a victim of a s*xual predator — you should report it immediately to the police .
