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Average Child Predator Amasses 117 Victims Before Being CaughtThe average age for a child sex offender to commit their first sex offense is just 14 years old, but most offenders are not caught until they are well into their forties and fifties.Related Content
According to Anchorage detectives, a typical child predator has an average of 117 victims before they're caught.
Why? It’s because the crimes are rarely reported. Christopher More, Ralph Hernandez and Lowell McKee are all men who have been charged with sexual abuse of a minor in recent months. The average age for a child sex offender to commit their first sex offense is just 14 years old, but most offenders are not caught until they are well into their forties and fifties. More specifically, the Anchorage Police Crimes Against Children Unit says it sees cases like Lowell McKee's all too often. “There was a little girl who disclosed to her mother that he had been touching her inappropriately,” said Chris Thomas, a unit detective. “I talked to more people [and] we uncovered more and more victims. There are four different females who have claimed sexual abuse by Mr. McKee although I believe there are other victims,” he continued. Predators spend their time trying to get close to kids and often lead a double life in order to do so. And, it’s not completely uncommon for children to test positive for sexually transmitted infections and yet don’t disclose an instance of sexual abuse, mostly because of feelings of guilt and shame. According to Cory Bryant, manager of Alaska Cares, “Most kids think that they're going to be in trouble [if they tell]. They perceive that in some way that it’s their fault. They’re told by the person who’s harming them that if they tell then they will hurt their mother.” In the cases of Ralph Hernandez –accused of trying to have sex with his girlfriend’s 14-year-old daughter, and former West High School teacher Christopher More –convicted of sexually abusing three of his students— both offenders were personally close to their victims. “This image of some creepy guy in a van rolling around abducting strange children—it happens, but that's not your average sex offender. The average sex offender is somebody who has access to your kids,” said Thomas. If you suspect your child may have been sexually abused: ask questions, don’t overreact and be attentive. If your child is acting more aggressively or acting out sexually, these may be signs that your child is a victim of sexual abuse. Officials stress the importance of reporting incidents quickly. If you think you are a victim of the recent Lowell McKee case, you can call detective Chris Thomas at 786-2628. To report any other case of sexual abuse, call 786-8500. |
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the revolving door of criminal justice said on Thursday, Jan 19 at 11:47 PM
don't you all get it...they make money from crime!!! just look at the lower 48 and the felons they let loose...money is the root of all evils...capitalism at it's best folks...sorry but true...
80143702pachrismith said on Monday, Oct 10 at 9:41 AM
The study used for these statistics is not available even at the NIMH which sponsored it. Similar studies by the author which showed similar results were uniformly of populations that had been remanded to psychological evaluation for mental or behavioral abnormalities common only to a very small percentage of sex offenders. The author himself, in these available studies, as well as many peer reviewers commented that they could not be applied to sex offenders in general. While a few of this authors studies report recidivism rates as high as 90%, no current study of any generalized population of sex offenders replicates that number. Those numbers consistently fall into the 5% range. The author of this news article should be castigated for misrepresenting facts and fearmongering.
75063747The Red Baron said on Monday, Oct 10 at 1:12 AM
What kind of ignorant rubbish is this? You idiots are so self righteous up to the moment they label you or your son a child molester for life because you peed on a bush. What kind of gestapo paradise do you want to live in where the government comes and snatches your kids away at 14 based on foolishness like this article? The government is pushing up the sex offender lists with your children, and the children will be the biggest victims of the registry. There just are not enough actual child predators to justify your level of paranoia. But when they come snatch up your teen son, it will be too late to do anything about it then. So watch what you wish for.
75042682compuuuter said on Friday, Oct 7 at 9:53 PM
close-to 3000 rso's in alaska. close-to 1000 of these @3000 are in anchorage, and approx 200 of these @1000 are in 99501. & how crazy is this, they are allowed to use "unknown street location" as an "address". attention ladies, students, senior citizens, and disabled readers: be prepared. bear spray. walmart. cheap.
74962181I Agree w/Mom said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 7:27 PM
Not to mention.....the increasing number of FEMALE sex offenders. Women who develop relationships with their step children, adopted children, own children, friends of their children, children they babysit, etc! They should be penalized just as harshly! DEATH.
74898921MomOfTwo said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 7:23 PM
I work in our correctional system and am disgusted by this population, DEATH PENALTY! It has come to the point where even other inmates are accepting of sex offenders OR they are "protected" from open population for "their safety". DISGUSTING!
74898809AKH said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 3:18 PM
Alaska needs the death penalty for sexual predators! The children affected get a life sentence, the perpetrator needs DEATH!
74890542Anonymous said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 2:44 PM
well maybe if the DA office would press charges instead of letting them walk half the time. That number could be lower.
748893761sayeroftruth said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 2:41 PM
death sentence and put to death quickly would be the best deterrent known to man if you send a pervert to prison and he will dwell on his memories of the children.put them to death and case closed.and lets face facts they all know that if they ever make it to prison its only a matter of time before they are realised by into the public and if you believe they will be dealt with in prison don't kid yourself the trash collecting in our prison system has become the scum of the earth.If they weren't before they are now.
74889224117 VICTIMS BEFORE CAUGHT? said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 1:19 PM
Are you kidding me? PASS LAWS that put these perverts in jail for life. They CANNOT be rehabilitated.WHY, does the public have to be at constant risk, BECAUSE these perverts are running wild.My opioion is to execute them all.No use to society at all. THINK of all the LIVES they RUIN!! Children CANNOT protect themselves.It should be OPEN season on these perverts. No JUSTICE for the little children VICTIMS!!! Gos help us all!
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