Crime of the Personal Closeness: Characteristics Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

The characteristics of perpetrators of sexual abuse against children appear in complex patterns of relationships. Studies that had discussed this phenomenon have only focused on the existence of victims, so they have not comprehensively explained the characteristics of the perpetrators. This study focuses on the question "How are the characteristics of perpetrators of sexual abuse against children?" To answer this question, this study uses a qualitative descriptive approach in exploring cases of sexual abuse against children through online media coverage. The reading of the news is focused on news headlines that contain cases, victims, and perpetrators of sexual abuse against children. Important findings in this study show that the perpetrators of sexual abuse against children are not least carried out by those closest to the child biologically, socially, and structurally, such as parents, neighbors, and teachers at school. Based on these findings, it is possible to formulate a concept of the crime of personal closeness as a contribution to this study. This study also recommends the importance of comparing cases, victims, and perpetrators of sexual abuse by interviewing groups of girls and boys on a more macro and more empirical basis.