ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the various common behavioural characteristics displayed by predatory paedophiles when engaged in the active process of ‘grooming’. Paedophiles who display patterns of behaviour which fall within the parameters of a ‘typical paedophiliac profile’ expose themselves as offenders or offenders in the making. The paedophile will have gained confidence and will abuse again. Youth groups, for obvious reasons, give rise to a countless number of possible victims. While some paedophiles will focus on one victim at any one time and spend months, even years, developing a situation whereby they can successfully abuse the chosen victim, others will prefer to have a number of victims that are readily and routinely available. The majority of active predatory paedophiles develop, through experience, a ‘plan of action’ or ‘behavioural pattern’, which is recognised in paedophiliac circles as being common practice.
