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DEL.ICIO.USHow can we make our children safe from pedophiles?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Child sexual predators are everywhere. There is no escaping these soul robbers, not even in a small, wholesome city that is on the move like Duluth, Ga.
Earlier this month, we were appalled by the arrest of six men accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in the Duluth home of 48-year old Wilbur Caldwell.
Caldwell, who is already serving a 15-year-sentence in federal prison on manufacturing child pornography, is accused of sending e-mails and making phone calls inviting men to have sex with the minor girl whom he claimed was 18 years old.
Six men - all from the metro Atlanta area, including two who resided in Gwinnett County - allegedly raped and molested the girl.
According to a federal affidavit, the girl told authorities Caldwell videotaped her having sex with her 14-year-old boyfriend and adult men with a camera that was hidden in a bookshelf. The girl said she was often intoxicated when she performed sex acts.
The ages of the six accused men range from 22 to 52. Two of the men are reportedly students, the others are said to be a computer programmer, a furniture salesman, and a real estate appraiser. One did not list an occupation.
All of the men look like your average neighbor or co-worker and not like the monsters that they allegedly are.
Although most of those accused and convicted of child pornography, child sexual assault and child rape are men, women, too, can be child sexual predators.
On a recent Oprah show the topic was “Female Teachers’ Secret Sex at School.” Oprah interviewed several obviously educated, attractive, and emotionally disturbed adult women who crossed the line with their young male students, some as young as 12 and 13 years old.
It seems that each day we are seeing and hearing more about child sexual predators. Is it because there are more child sexual predators today or are we just more aware and less in denial about them?
What can we do to make our children safe from pedophiles?
Have you or anyone you know been a target of child sexual predators?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: Beni Dakar
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By Deborah
August 29, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
From my own personnal experience make sure that any person working with your child when you are not around such as scout leaders, church youth group leaders, music teachers, all have background checks. Teachers have to have it done, so if they do not want it done, move on. You can call your local police department to inquire how to have the background checks arranged. They do fingerprints also. If ANYTHING comes back that is questionable STAY AWAY FROM THIS PERSON. THEY ARE MONSTERS.
By Little Mary
August 29, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
I think that that these people have always been around. It is nothing new—we are just talking about it more.
I think this is a good topic. It is difficult to discuss; but we need to talk about it. We especially need to come clean about our family members and friends who we may know are off slant and may be child sexual abusers.
By Nads
August 29, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
As long as we continue to make victims of criminals in our society these problems will prevail. As long as organizations like the ACLU and looney judges come to the defense of these sick criminals nothing with change. How many child-sex offenders
have we heard of lately that is out on parole, or out on the streets because we have no room in jails—well that is not an excuse to put these sickos back on the streets with our kids.
A perfect example is this John Karr, so he did not kill JonBenet Ramsey, but he is abviously a sick, demented, pedophile who should not be able to be put in a position to act on his perversions.
We need to learn that rehabilitation is over-rated and doesnt work with these people. We need to stop slapping them on the wrists and start protecting our children by putting these criminals away for GOOD.
By Drew
August 29, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
I don’t know. I’m really becoming jaded on how the media reports and comments on this sort of thing. I think they (news people and lawyers) are bluring the line between rape and consent. It sounds to me like she constented to all this stuff.
By Shelia
August 29, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
Are you crazy? You think she consented to it. She is a MINOR, a child. Adults do not have sex with a child.
By Pam
August 29, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
I totally agree with Nads. I just don’t feel that child molestors can be rehabilitated. There is obviously something wrong with an adult wanting to have sex with a child. Once caught, they should be put in jail for good, no chance for parole.
By arcterix
August 30, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
i agree with Drew.
By LG
August 30, 2006 06:21 AM | Link to this
Nads and Pam,
It’s a fact that child molesters can’t change their preference, but the problem is catching them to put them in jail. My daughter was molested when she was 6 years old (at school). 5 doctors told me that it was adult finger scratches on the outside and inside of her body. The detective NEVER interviewed any of the doctors, and she blamed it on my 4 year old son. It made me wonder who was more sick - the guy who did it or the detective.
Even when I told the detective that we were being stalked by the guy that I believed did it, nothing was done so we moved 800 miles from that city.
Yes, I’m all for putting them in jail and keeping them in jail, but they have to be caught first.
By Sue
August 31, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this
I agree with Drew. The media only gives part of the story and not necessarily the reality of the situation. Also, where are the charges against the mother who knowingly sent her daughter off with an older man and his 17 year old son every weekend?
By fk
August 31, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this
A child does not willingly choose to have sex. They are manipulated or forced, and that is not consensual. As for a 14 year old girl consenting to have sex with grown men, please, get a grip. I can recall at 18, my friends and I thinking that a 38 year old man was ancient.
With all of the personality and psychological tests out there, is there not any that can be given to see if a person dealing with children has a tendency to these types of behaviors before they are put in a position of authority? Background checks will only catch those few who are either arrogant enough to think that technology is slow in catching up with them, or ignorant enough to think that. However, it’s better to catch them than not. What about all those predators lurking about who have never been caught?
The teachers, leaders, sitters, etc. having sex and molesting their students, players, minor members, etc. is very disturbing. These people are trusted with our children. The kids are taught to look up to and respect them, but they (the adults in charge) turn around and maniupulate that respect and use it against innocent children as power. Twisted and sick.
By Melanie
September 1, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
Until children are capable of being aware and knowing how to be on the look out, we as parents and adults must be vigilant in our monitoring.
An excellent resource for parents and teens is, “The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality.” This book helps parents and teens know what to look out for, online, in schools and in all facets of our community, and how to respond.
I agree, this is a critical topic that needs to be raised more often, especially with our young people.
By rather-not-say
September 3, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this
I once had two boys. One of which had a parental relationship with his biological father before we divorced; the other did not. After a few years of bio-dad being completely gone from their lives and suddenly “reappearing” after I remarried…the oldest son did everything he could to be “kicked out” of my house so he could live with his father that he thought was “all that”. These activities included stealing at school-followed by suspension, molesting a fellow classmate (more suspension), screaming “abuse” when we held him accountable, only to find out that he sexually molested his younger brother in hopes that he would “tell”. Nevermind that he threatened to kill him if he did…and we only found out 6 months after I sent the kid packing…for good. They were 12 and 8 at the time.
It’s been four years since I’ve seen my oldest and no…I don’t miss him. Not after what he put my baby through and I dare him to EVER knock on my door again.
So…what’s my message in all of this? Don’t be so quick to look outside the home when it could be right under your own nose.
By Ray
September 4, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this
Actual pedophiles, those who are many years older than those who they molest (I don’t mean an older teenager with a younger teenager), who are guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt, deserve death the first time. To hell with the rehab crap. Get them out of the gene pool.
By God
September 5, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
By mommyto2
September 5, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
Just so you know the legal age of consent in GA is 16. Anything underthat is most deffinately rape. No 15 yo is mature enough to decide if she is ready to have sex with a 30 yo. Having said that i think there is a huge difference in a 14-15 yo who lies about her age and a child who is raped and abused. I think if the victim is over the age of 13 and consented then send them to jail for a year and place them on the offenders list. Under the age of 13 or without consent, lock those freaks up forever! my babies can not protect themselves against these types of people. It is societies responsibilty to stand up for victims, especially the ultra innocent like kids. There is no greater crime than a crime against a child.
phedophilia is not just a sin you dirt bag. it is a malicious attack and disease. how dare you insult the lord that way!
RAY I AM WITH YOU! they are not fixable. studies show that boys and girls
By mommyto2
September 5, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this
drew are you saying Jon Benet consinted to her assualt and death? that is the only her referenced. if this is the case you are a sick individual.
By mommyto2
September 5, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
last thing, rather not say, i am so sorry for what you had to go through and know you did the right thing. i pray i never have to go through that. but despite what he said ,he did not molest those kids just to get out of your house. there is something wrong there. he could have beat them up or run away.