You can't find what you are not looking for. Knowledge is power. And when adults refuse to see the truth, perpetrators are protected, children are
You can’t find what you are not looking for.
Knowledge is power. And when adults refuse to see the truth, perpetrators are protected, children are harmed, and Survivors are betrayed. It is time to strip away the myths and face reality.
1. Are perpetrators ever identifiable by race?
Yes. Race shows up in official U.S. data—and the numbers tell us a story we cannot ignore:
57.5% of convicted sexual abuse offenders were White.
16.1% were Black.
12.1% were Native American.
11.8% were Hispanic.
2.5% were listed as other races.
(U.S. Sentencing Commission, FY 2021)
When it comes to producing CSAM (child sexual abuse material), the numbers are even starker:
74.6% of offenders were White.
And in 2018?
75.1% were White.
(U.S. Sentencing Commission, FY 2018)
This does not mean abuse doesn’t happen in Black, Indigenous, Latinx, or immigrant communities. It does. But the data is clear: a large share of documented perpetrators are White men. Pretending otherwise only hides children in the shadows.
2. How does systemic racism, bias, and prejudice protect perpetrators?
Abuse thrives in silence, and racism makes the silence deeper. Here’s how bias shields abusers and abandons Survivors:
| Barrier / Bias | Impact | Reality Check |
|---|---|---|
| Under-reporting & disbelief | Black and brown children are less likely to be believed when they speak. | Black girls are stereotyped as “grown,” “fast,” or “less innocent,” stripping them of adult protection. |
| Biased systems | Reports involving children of color may be delayed, dismissed, or unsubstantiated. | Studies show Black and Latinx families face more scrutiny from CPS, but their abuse cases are less likely to be pursued. |
| Fear of “being called racist” | Some institutions avoid naming or prosecuting perpetrators of color. | Offenders slip through cracks when systems avoid gathering or releasing racial data. |
| Resource deserts | Families of color have less access to therapy, advocacy, or legal protection. | Predators exploit poverty, neglect, and underfunded systems to isolate children. |
| Respectability stereotypes | White, professional, religious, or “upstanding” men are shielded by bias. | Their word is valued over a child’s cries for help. Communities rally to protect them, not the victim. |
The result? Children of color are doubly harmed—first by the abuser, then by institutions that betray them.
3. What does this mean for parents—especially parents of color?
Do not rely on stereotypes. Predators don’t look a certain way.
Demand equity in response. If your child discloses, don’t accept bias, delay, or dismissal from police, schools, or child protection.
Insist on data equity. Push for offender data by race and ethnicity to be tracked and made public. Transparency protects.
Seek culturally competent help. Work with advocates, therapists, and organizations that understand racial trauma and bias in child protection.
4. Why talk about race and bias at all?
Because ignoring it endangers children.
Naming race shows who is being shielded.
Naming bias shows how children are silenced.
Naming both forces accountability.
Abuse is never just “one bad man.” It is a crime propped up by systems, stereotypes, and silences.
5. Types of Perpetrators — With Race and Bias in Focus
| Perpetrator Type | Tactics | Race/Bias Risks | Parent Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents / caregivers | Abuse hidden in the home | Protected by “good family” image | Enforce transparency, ask questions |
| Extended family / insiders | Exploit closeness & respect | Shielded by loyalty & silence | Break silence, believe your child |
| Trusted authority figures (teachers, clergy, coaches) | Use power & respect to exploit | Privileged offenders often doubted less | Demand oversight, enforce boundaries |
| Online predators | Groom through social media, gaming | Exploit racial dynamics, fetishization | Teach digital safety, monitor online access |
| Peers / minors | Pressure, coercion, image sharing | Racial bullying, power hierarchies | Encourage open talk, fight shame |
6. So, can perpetrators be of any race?
Yes. Abusers exist in every racial and ethnic group. But let’s tell the whole truth: the majority of convicted offenders in the U.S. are White. And at the same time, systemic racism ensures that survivors of color face greater barriers to justice.
That means we need adults willing to open their eyes, name these patterns, and protect children without excuse or delay.
Final Word
At We Survive Abuse and Rosaschildren, we refuse to tolerate false information. Myths about who perpetrators are and how systems respond keep children in danger. Lies protect harm doers not vulnerable children.
Children don’t need our denial. They need our courage.
They don’t need our excuses. They need our protection.
Knowledge is power—and when adults stop looking away, children are safer.