They generally fit into a stereotypical offender profile, living alone or with a parent, unemployed or in low paid work and unable to form adult relationships. Their cycle of offending is also typical and begins with the basic attraction and sexual arousal by thoughts of children. At this stage he can certainly be described as, and fits the definition of, a paedophile. However, other than possessing child pornography, which is not an offence in many countries, he does not commit any offences. The reason why this type of person does not proceed beyond this stage is as a result of internal and external inhibitors or both.
Internal inhibitors are personal factors which control a persons behavior.
The knowledge that it is morally wrong to sexually abuse a child or that sexual activity with a child can seriously damage the mental welfare of his victim in the future. External inhibitors are far more basic and evolve around the fear of being caught and going to prison linked with the knowledge that their personal lifestyle would be seriously effected if it became public that they were sexually attracted to children. Once the internal and external inhibitors have been removed, possible by a period of stress or boredom then the peadophile moves into the cycle of offending. He begins by going out to places where children frequent, a play park or swimming pool for example. He then identifies a child who is either alone or appears vulnerable and begins to make contact, possibly offering gifts, a cigarette or a ride in a car.