OUR society continues to wrestle with how to protect our children from the injuries and agonies of sexual abuse and molestation. In spite of significant efforts by individuals, groups and the government at various levels, abuse and molestation of children continues to be a crime against all of us. Statistics have revealed that most abuse and molestation of children takes place in the home, often committed by a family member known to the child or in other instances someone very close to the family.
When a child is molested by a stranger, they are more likely to report it than when the perpetrator is someone who is known to them. And, ironically, the adult involved in childhood sexual abuse is NOT likely to be a stranger; they’re likely to be a relative or trusted friend of the family. While it may be impossible for a parent to predict which adults might be capable of this kind of behavior, most parents don’t realize how their silence on the general subject of sex causes children to keep quiet about this kind of abuse. A child who has not had an ongoing open discussion of sex with their parents is not likely to tell them if they’re molested by someone close to the family or someone they think the family approves of.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MOLESTERS
*  Can have adult sex partners, but children are primary sex object.
*  Have lifestyles which give them easy access to children.
*  Target specific gender, age, hair and eye color.
*  Use threats to manipulate and control victims – or bribe them with gifts, love or promises to   lure victims into their confidence before victimization takes place.
*  Are mostly males, but females also molest.

Guyana’s children need urgent protection. We must act swiftly and decisively in order to ensure the survival of this seemingly endangered species. Each of us must decide whether we are going to be part of the problem (by ignoring the issue) or part of the solution. The lives of our children and their offspring depend on what we, as individuals are prepared to do about the epidemic of molestation.