Common signs of behavior among those who sexually abuse children include:
- Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with or holding a child even when the child does not want this affection
- Initiates roughhousing with children on a regular basis
- Repeatedly offers to babysit children for free
- Discusses age inappropriate topics with a child
- Dresses inappropriately around children
- Stares at children engaged in normal activities for long periods of time
- Expresses voyeuristic behaviors such as watching children play after they have changed into their pajamas
- Socializes more with children than with adults
- Buys child expensive gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason
- Exhibits an unusual and pervasive interest in a particular child
- Wants one child to stay home with him/her while others go somewhere
- Actively makes efforts to spend time alone with children
- Does not want to have adult friends over or participate in adult activities