DEAR ABBY: While my husband was in a chat room on the Internet, I caught him asking for pictures of little girls being sexually molested. He had already downloaded several on our computer. In one of those pictures was a little girl 18 to 24 months old -- and the most awful thing was being done to her. The rest of them were no better. I cried all evening after seeing those pictures, Abby.
I have five small grandchildren and one on the way. Now I know I can no longer trust my husband around them. I have begged him to get help, but he says he doesn't have a problem, so I am seriously thinking about reporting him. Abby, he even sent out a picture of his own daughter.
Do you think he could possibly be a child molester, too? All the signs are there, and I just can't stand the thought of him touching me if he has hurt a child like that. Please help me. I am so afraid. We have been married 12 years. How could I not have seen this before? -- TERRIFIED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR TERRIFIED: Please don't blame yourself for not having "seen this before." Child molesters are very clever about hiding their preferences, because they have to be. Your husband is sick -- a predator -- and if he would post pictures of his own child on the Internet, he wouldn't hesitate to do the same with a grandchild.
Since he refuses to admit he has a problem, you will have to force him into getting help. Tell the police in your community exactly what you have told me. Please don't wait another day to do it.