Sexual offenses are primarily crimes that men commit against women and children. However, men can also be victims of  sexual assault. Approximately 10% of all adult rape victims are men. Even in these instances, the perpetrator is usually another man. Most sex offenders will continue to commit sexual offenses until they are caught. Sex offenders are four times more likely to assault someone they know than to assault a stranger. In cases that involve sexual abuse of children, perpetrators are often people the child knows and trusts – family members, surrogate parents, or other relatives and caregivers.

There are no clear characteristics to identify sex offenders. Most sex offenders are male and usually identify themselves as being heterosexual. They can be of any age, race, economic class, or religion. They are most likely to sexually assault someone who is of the same race.

Many people experience multiple sexual assaults by different perpetrators during their lives. You may be wondering why this has happened to you again. Maybe you are thinking that something about you invites people to hurt you, or maybe you deserve the assaults because you are a bad person. No matter how many times you have been assaulted, and no matter what the perpetrators may have told you, YOU DID NOTHING to deserve what has happened to you. No one but the perpetrators can tell you why they picked you, but be sure that you did not invite them.

It is common for people who have had these experiences to have difficulty coping. The effects of each new assault compound the problems from prior promiscuity, eating disorders, and other problematic sexual abuse. Other methods of coping that may appear healthy, but in fact are not, are also common. These may include perfectionism, obsessions about exercise and diet, overeating, and avoidance of relationships and intimacy. While all of these behaviors are normal coping responses to abnormal events, they often create more problems for the survivor. In fact, some of these methods of coping, such as using drugs and alcohol, may leave a person more vulnerable to future assaults.