Some risk factors for becoming a perpetrator

The following are factors that put an individual at a greater risk of sexually abusing children:

• Being male
• Being sexually attracted to children (although many of them have normal sexual relationships with adults)
• Having experienced sexual abuse as a child
• Having access to children
• Having poor interpersonal relationships with peers
• Being immature and identitying with children
• Having deep-seated feelings of vulnerability, inadequacy, emotional loneliness and dependency
• Having high stress levels due to unemployment, marital difficulties or financial problems

From Wurtele, S. K. & Miller-Perrin, C. L. (1992). Preventing child sexual abuse: Sharing the responsibility.
                                                                                     
                                                                                    Rose Marie.