Reply #13: Well, I'll try and find a study that shows that the vast majority of perpetrators ..

[Maat]

have been sexually abused themselves.

The abuse tends to have been ongoing and sickeningly repetitive in its nature ('ritualistic' or having a 'ritualistic quality').

Does that sound better?

I handled thousands of cases, and, frankly, never met a perpetrator that had not been systematically abused themselves as a child.

Hang on.

On edit:
"Two-thirds of sex offenders in prisons victimized a child." I would say that the other third just aren't admitting it.
http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/stats.htm

I do think that you and I agree that the Church permitting marriage will not solve the problem - not permitting church reps to be alone with a child (not their own) will solve the problem (not allowing the pedophile opportunity). That's what I am saying.

Frankly, after my experiences, if people are wise, they won't allow themselves to be alone with any child that is not their own. That prevents false accusations.