The Sometimes Hostile Community Response Regarding the Allegation of Child Sexual Abuse
By Robert Hugh Farley, M.S., Courtesy SELF Resource Center & in2vate, llc

On November 11, 2011, the Associated Press reported that “Penn State Trustees Promise to Search for Truth in Child Sex Abuse Scandal.”

The allegation of child sexual abuse involving multiple victims is a highly charged and emotional issue that today is often played out in the media. Additionally, when the alleged offender is a highly respected individual within an organization or the community the issues involved can often polarize public opinion. 

The Allegation 
Once an allegation of child sexual abuse against a “high profile” individual has been reported to the authorities, the public tends to take opposing sides. On one side are the defenders of the alleged victims. On the other side are the defenders of the alleged offender. There is often no middle ground.

Both sides will frequently take an all or nothing approach when discussing or defending their respective side. In some controversial cases, the defenders of the alleged offender will emphasize prior media accounts of false or unsubstantiated allegations or will, in some cases, paint the victims as “money hungry” litigants. Conversely the defenders of the victims will quickly and simplistically claim that, “children don’t lie about sexual abuse.” “Experts” will use the media  to spin each side’s opinion or belief. In some cases these so-called experts will cite information taken out of context or will quote only a small portion of a publication that supports their view.

Child Sexual Abuse Issues  
Unfortunately during this banter each side tends to focus on the character of the alleged offender or the character of the victim rather than the complex issues involved in child sexual abuse.

Law enforcement has found that preferential child molesters tend to be the multiple-victim-offenders and are often described as nice guys or “pillars of the community.” This type of molester often has access to their victims through their occupation or through their volunteer work. This method of contact allows them to center their life around their sexual interest in children.
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