This type of offender can fit the characteristics of the preferential or situational child molester. A pedophile is an individual who prefers to have sex with children. A person who prefers to have sex with an adult partner may, for any number of reasons, decide to have sex with a child. Such reasons may include simple availability, curiosity, or a desire to hurt a loved one of a molested child. The sexual fantasies of these individuals do not necessarily focus on children.
Abuse occurs in a wide range of situations and settings.
For long-term abusers, often, the child molester will court the child with attention, affection, and gifts. Just as one adult courts another during a dating process, the pedophile seduces children over a period of time by gradually lowering their sexual inhibitions. Sometimes the molester will tickle, wrestle, or hug the child in the presence of others first, adding legitimacy to the activity that will occur later in private. Often a child feels guilty or ashamed of the abuse. Children may feel that a short amount of uncomfortable feeling is worth the amount of attention and affection and perceived care they receive from the molester.