If your traumatized adopted child told you that he had been raped by Santa Claus, what would your reaction be? Would you assume that he was lying? Would you question whether he was delusion and had a mental illness? If so, that is exactly what his abuser wanted you to think.

I have read numerous stories about child abuse survivors being raped by men who dressed up as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, a clown, or numerous other “unbelievable” characters. The most common character seems to be Jesus.

Why do child abusers do this? Because it gives them a level of protection that most other child abusers do not have.

Child abusers can be divided into two categories. Most people are familiar with the first category, which I call “street abusers.” They are like people who commit street crimes. The crime is committed in the moment in a state of “passion.” They threaten the child never to tell but do not bother to hide their identities.