Child Offenders

ABC News has an article, "What's to Blame When Children Sexually Offend?"

It's quite disturbing and seems to be growing trend. While it is easy to blame, judge and condemn, it is important to remember that these are children.

Why would children do such a thing?

There are so many factors and one very important one that can not be ignored is: research has shown that child offenders are typically victims themselves.

If you do not understand this and think "no, if they were hurt that bad they would never do it to someone else", than you are sadly mistaken. The truth is, a victim is very likely to inflict the same emotional or physical trauma onto another because that is how they view normal behavior (since most victims are violated by someone they know).

Not all victims do, but it is not at all uncommon.

There are other factors at play here. Over-sexualization of young children has severe effects, such as sexual violations against others. Movies, television and music has become increasingly more sexually explicit, violent, misogynistic and profane. Late-night "uncut" videos is easily accessible, the internet is easily manipulated to view innapropriate, violent and degrading sexual material, and the reality of the violent world children currently live in is astounding. Video games encourage extreme violence, as well as rewarding the player with the ability to sexually violate prostitutes if the game is won.
Is it any wonder children do not understand the ramifications of violence, be it sexual or physical? Children are also becoming desensitized to violence, as I can attest to this with a story from my friend's son.
On 9/11, when the nation was glued to the tube, my friend's son walked in and asked his mother what movie she was watching. The sad truth is that children are becoming exposed to violence, sex and adult situations younger and younger than ever before.

It is common sense that there would be negative effects from this exposure.

Unfortunately, children who offend may be labeled as predators, when in many cases they truly aren't. Many times, they are just reaching out in the same manner they were because that is all they know.