The study’s numbers are terrifying. Nearly one in six Australian men report being sexually attracted to children and adolescents. Nearly one in ten admit to having already committed an act of child crime, ranging from deliberately viewing child pornography to child prostitution. And one in fifteen admit they would sexually assault or rape a child under 14 if they were sure they would never be found out.
These are the edifying conclusions of an Australian study by the University of New South Wales and the organization Jesuit Social Services, relayed by the Sydney Morning Herald Monday. The study is based on a representative sample of more than 1,900 men aged 18 to over 65.
“Ordinary” men
According to the study’s lead author, Professor Michael Salter, this is the first national study to focus on these ‘undetected’ criminals. The study also looked particularly at the profile of the 4.9% of men who admitted to having committed sexual offenses against children.
They are more likely than average to be married, working with children. They generally earn a salary above average. Their profile is that of “the average person you would never suspect,” assures Michael Salter.