Since time immemorial, unknown to us, there have always been sexual predators lurking around. Most of the sexual harassment is targeted towards women. Having said that, even men are not completely safe when it comes to molestation and sexual advancements towards them. Similarly, a sexual harasser can be male or a female.
It is very important to identify a potential rapist or a sexual harasser just by interacting with them so that you can prevent yourself from falling prey to their intentions. Given below are a few of the psychological traits of sexual harassers that you might need to keep an eye out for. This is very important for your personal safety, and also for the ignorant ones around you.
The Dark Triad:
This is the most popular of all traits. A sexual predator shows signs of three emotions combined: narcissism, psychopath behaviour, and Machiavellianism. Narcissism is the reason they think so highly of themselves and don’t bother if they are generally liked or not. They dominate or feel the need to aggressively dominate another due to their psychopathic tendencies. And due to their Machiavellianism, they are able to pursue these goals determinately without the slightest hint of guilt.
Pleasure and desire:
Sexual predators give in to their sexual desires very easily. If they feel they have been deprived of sexual pleasure, they will assume it their right to gain it from any other source and even if it is against the will of the other person. This is the biggest differentiating characteristic of a potential rapist, be it a man or a woman.
Anger:
Anger can induce plenty of harmful intentions in the person. The angered person wishes to vent it out on the given individual in a way that will hurt and scar them the most. This is why some people resort to sexually offending others just so that they can exhibit their anger in the worst way possible.
Dominance and power:
Some people just feel the need to establish their sense of superiority over another individual. They may or may not be physically attracted to their target victim, but it is their desire to be able to dominate that runs them. These are the most harmful type of sexual predators since they are known to go to any lengths to prove why they must be feared and submitted to.
What should be done if you spot a potential threat?
In case most, or all, of the above pointers bring to your mind a person, chances are they might be sexual predators looking for an opportunity to prey on you. On the other hand, there is no hard and fast rule to uncovering such a person. You can only rely on their psychological behavioural pattern and your own gut instinct to keep harm at bay. While dealing with such people, here are certain guidelines you must follow:
- Maintain a safe distance from them at work or school. Don’t boycott them completely, but reduce your interaction to a minimum.
- These identification techniques are meant to keep you safe and not so that you and all your friends shun the targeted person and discriminate them.
- Don’t spread rumours about any person based on just these observations.
Summing it up:
Yes, sexual harassment is continuing to grow each day. Also, you cannot go around complaining about some people just because they ‘look’ suspicious. This information is not sufficient to have them put behind bars. And chances are that your judgement turns out to be wrong.
But what we can do in this regard is take precautions. Be very careful of who you, your family and your kids travel with, eat with and be with most of the times, and be mindful of the whereabouts. Remember that a sexual predator can be anyone: a stranger, friend, and even family.
