AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Nicole Chettle
Adults who are child molesters are often popular members of the community, and do not behave like predatory monsters, a royal commission has heard.
Experts told the final public hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney today that inaccurate stereotypes were hindering child protection.
Professor Anne-Marie McAlinden, from the University of Belfast, appeared via video link and said child molesters were often respected and well-liked individuals.
“That’s one of the things that abusers will often strive to do,” she said.
“To generate this perception that ‘I am a nice person who’s exceptionally kind to children’, which then feeds into the popularity with other staff or parents and makes people less likely to challenge them.”
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