May 1st, 2024 | Allan Ray

Predators Follow The Prey

Keep an eye on your kids.

The documentary series Quiet On Set (2024) sheds light on the horrifying reality of the sexual abuse and exploitation that took place at Nickelodeon studios. This docu-series serves as a stark reminder of the ways in which child groomers and pedophiles exploit the innocence and vulnerability of children in the entertainment industry. Sadly, these instances are not only common today, they have been common through much of Hollywood's history. Even worse, they are not exclusive to the entertainment industry.

Child groomers and pedophiles often use the entertainment industry as a platform to identify, manipulate, and exploit young talent. Quiet On Set reveals how predators, posing as trusted industry professionals, prey on children who are eager to pursue their dreams of stardom. These predators use various tactics to gain access to their victims.

At Nickelodeon, Dan Schneider, a prominent producer, faced numerous accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards young actors, creating a toxic environment where children felt unsafe and exploited. This case underscores the power dynamics that exist within the industry, where adults in positions of authority can easily take advantage of vulnerable young performers.

Sadly, Nickelodeon is not an isolated case. Hollywood has a long history of child actors facing abuse. From the early days of Shirley Temple to more recent cases like Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, the stories are disturbingly similar. Children are often pressured to work long hours, exposed to adult themes and behaviours, and subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The pressure to maintain a perfect image and the fear of losing opportunities often silence victims, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue.

Beyond the direct abuse, the entertainment industry often normalizes the sexualization of children. Young actors are frequently portrayed in mature roles, dressed provocatively and subjected to the scrutiny of the media and the public. This hyper-sexualization can have detrimental effects on their self-esteem and mental health, blurring the lines between childhood and adulthood and making them more vulnerable to predatory behaviour.

Several factors contribute to the prevalence of child abuse in the entertainment industry. The competitive nature of the industry creates an environment where children are seen as commodities, their well-being often sacrificed for profit and success. Additionally, the lack of adequate safeguards and oversight allows abusers to operate with impunity. Parents, driven by ambition or blinded by the allure of fame, may unknowingly put their children at risk.

As Bill Maher stated on Real Time recently, the groomers and predators go where the kids are in the same way investors go where the money is. So, where else do we find children?

Youth Sports

Child abuse in Little League sports is a disturbing and often overlooked issue that can have severe and long-lasting effects on the victims. While youth sports are intended to provide a positive and supportive environment for children to develop their athletic skills and build character, some coaches and volunteers have used their positions of authority to exploit and abuse young athletes.

One of the most notorious examples of abuse in sports is the case of Jerry Sandusky, a former football coach in Pennsylvania who was convicted of molesting several boys on his team over a period of several years. Sandusky used his position of authority to gain the trust of his players and their families, and then exploited that trust to commit heinous acts of sexual abuse.

Larry Nassar is another example. He was a doctor for young gymnasts. In Winnipeg, Madison Bulik, a woman, was charged with 15 counts of sexual exploitation and abuse. Abuse was also found to be widespread in the Canadian junior hockey league.

The examples are countless and there have been several more high profile cases not mentioned here.

To combat the problem of child abuse in sports, it's essential that organizations take a proactive and comprehensive approach to preventing and responding to abuse. This includes conducting thorough background checks on all volunteers and coaches, providing training and education on recognizing and reporting signs of abuse, and establishing clear policies and procedures for responding to allegations of abuse.

Parents and other adults involved in youth sports must also take a proactive role in preventing child abuse. This includes being aware of the signs of abuse, such as changes in a child's behaviour or mood, and being willing to speak up if they suspect that something is wrong.

Religious Organizations

The Catholic Church, for centuries, has held a position of immense moral authority and trust within communities around the world. However, in recent decades, a horrifying reality has come to light: the widespread and systemic sexual abuse of children by clergy members and within Catholic institutions. Often singled out, however, the Catholic Church is not the only religious institution with known cases of child abuse.

Cases of inappropriate touching, sexual harassment, and even assault have been reported in mosques and during religious pilgrimages. The power dynamics between religious leaders and young individuals can make it difficult for victims to speak out.

While not exclusive to Islamic communities, child marriage remains prevalent in several Muslim-majority countries. This practice, often justified under religious interpretations, exposes young girls to physical and sexual abuse, early pregnancy, and limited educational and economic opportunities.

Some figures of authority misuse religious teachings to justify harmful practices like child marriage or corporal punishment. The deference shown to religious leaders and elders can discourage children from speaking out against authority figures. Discussions about sex and sexuality are often considered taboo, making it difficult for children to understand and report abuse.

Religious institutions are rife with authorities who misuse and abuse their power—this is true for many religious institutions, including Scientology.

Examples

If you feel the need to scour through some more real evidence, here is a limited list of known and alleged child predators who have used sports and religion to prey upon children:

Father Charles Sylvestre was a Roman Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 47 girls in his churches in Ontario. He died in prison.

Jean-Paul Thibault, a member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, was accused of sexually abusing students at Mont-Sacré-Coeur College in Granby, Quebec.

Michel Arsenault, a gymnastics coach in Alberta, was suspended following accusations he abused gymnasts in Quebec some time in the 1980s and 90s. His charges were eventually stayed due to gaps in evidence.

Saleh Momla, a teacher at the Islamic Foundation Of Toronto, was charged with multiple counts of sex-related crimes in 2018.

An Imam in Toronto, Mohammad Masroor, was charged with several sexual offences that allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2011.