Sexual predators look like most people.

Many attend church, some are married, and some even have religious backgrounds. And they look for targets that are accessible and available.

"I have been struck by the evidence that indicates how bold sexual predators can be,"said Judy Comstock, Leadership Development and Nazarene Safe coordinator.

The Church of the Nazarene introduced Nazarene Safe at the M11 Conference to help church leaders protect their children, youth, and vulnerable adults from abuse.

Since then, several local churches and district offices are gathering resources and developing safety systems, and several district offices requested training with the Nazarene Safe program at their district assemblies, Comstock said.

"Sexual predators do not have a particular profile, a fact that gives us cause to be 'wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove,'" Comstock said.

Sexual predators who become sexual molesters are not the "stranger danger" comic character depicted in fliers that children receive at school.

The lifestyles of predators are similar to that of non-molesters, according to statistics presented by Rachel Mitchell, an Arizona prosecuting attorney. Approximately 64 percent of sexual predators live in a husband-wife marriage.

"This statistic helps us understand one way that sexual predators are able to blend into our congregations," Comstock said.

Compared to the general population, 93 percent of U.S. citizens indicate that they have a religious preference, and the same percentage of child molesters — 93 percent — admit they have a religious preference, too, according to a report by the Southern Baptist Convention.

According to Comstock, sex offenders who stayed involved in churches have more offenses than non-religious sex offenders. They often go to a target-rich environment like a church or a school. 

"Churches offer easier access to children than schools do, but we are working to change that," Comstock said. "No denomination is exempt from the risk of predators seeking to exploit those who are most vulnerable."

Sex offenders gain trust and access to children by grooming. Sexual grooming involves psychological manipulation in the form of positive reinforcement and foot-in-the-door tactics, using activities that are typically legal but later lead to illegal activities. They befriend the child and establish an emotional connection in order to lower the child's inhibitions, offering gifts or money in preparation for inappropriate activity with the child or exploitation.

Predators also groom adults into trusting them with their children. Parents are more likely to trust someone in their church that is involved in their children's ministry.

This perspective only defends the need for implementing a safety system like Nazarene Safe, Comstock said.

Nazarene Safe provides resources and training for church leaders, volunteers, and parents so they can establish a safety system to protect their congregation.

For more information, visit nazarenesafe.org.