Extrafamilial Child Molestation

Child molestation is legal term that designates a crime involving a range of indecent or sexual activities between an adult (or someone older than the victim) and a child. Although the age of the child victim may differ across states, such crimes usually involve a child under the age of 14 years. Extrafamilial molesters have abused a victim or victims who are unrelated to the offender, whereas intrafamilial molesters have abused family members. Pedophilia is recurring sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving prepubescent [Page 444]children. Not all pedophiles are child molesters because some pedophiles have not acted out on their sexual proclivities. Nor all child molesters are pedophiles because abusive sexual behavior toward children can be motivated by opportunism and impulsivity rather than by intense ...