While it can be impossible to imagine what could drive a person to sexually abuse a child who was a stranger to him or her, the fact of the matter is most crimes of abuse are even worse - the perpetrator is often a family member of the child abused. In many cases, the abuser is someone who seems completely outwardly normal, with no history of anything untoward, at least on the surface. Therefore it's very important to take any sudden change in a child's personality or any other abuse warning signs very seriously, and seek help if necessary.
Most abusers are males, and common relationships are father, stepfather, uncle, or sibling. While a number of abusers have been abused themselves, sometimes the behavior is triggered by extreme emotional stress or a breakdown - a man who has lost his job might feel emasculated in front of his family, and therefore need to re-establish his power over his kids - taking it too far. In other cases, it can come from long-seated psychological problems, and can be part of a greater psychopathic condition. In other cases, the assault simply comes as a result of pedophilia, the sexual attraction to children.
It's important to pay attention to any warning signs, and to ensure that children understand that no matter who tells them it's okay, certain types of behavior are wrong. Children have the right to say no, even to a parent if it comes down to that. And while seeking help against a close family member can be difficult, it is also necessary for the health and well-being of the abused.
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