GameBlame wrote:
I doubt even that 10% of altar boys who served in the 70s and 80s suffered abuse. I was never an altar boy btw.
The truth is abusers will likely focus on children from weak and vulnerable backgrounds.
I grew up as a teachers son in a family, and that would immediately mean any potential abuser would steer well clear. Also growing up in the country where communities are stronger makes it harder for an abuser to operate. (Anecdotally, I've heard stories of paedophiles told to leave an area at gunpoint!).
In a big town or city, where one or both parents may have substance abuse issues, non close ties to neighbours, and little or no supervision, then abusers are able to operate unchecked. But the worst cases were always those around orphanages or care homes, where the child had no parent to reach out to. There was a reason creeps like Saville hung around hospitals and orphanages.