Finkelhor's Four Precondition Theory

Finkelhor's Four Precondition Theory explains that to commit child sexual abuse, four conditions typically need to be present: 1) the offender must have a lack of empathy for the child's suffering, 2) they must be mentally affected by trauma or belief systems that justify their actions, 3) they must be motivated by sexual needs or desires, and 4) they need to overcome internal and external obstacles, like feelings of guilt or societal disapproval. If all four are present, the risk of abuse increases. The theory highlights that abuse results from a combination of personal, emotional, and situational factors.