Americans might envision the sexual exploitation of children as something that primarily happens in other countries, says Tim Tebow, but the truth is, “this is happening in our backyard,” and frequently the abusers are family members. In fact, the top perpetrator of sexual crimes against children are biological fathers.
Tebow, whose foundation fights to protect exploited children, shared shocking and graphic information on child abuse in the U.S. in an interview on “The Shawn Ryan Show.”
Editor’s note: This article refers to graphic reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Calling the trafficking and exploitation of children “one of the worst evils in the world,” Tebow noted it’s easy to “think so much [evil] is done by all these groups and gangs and, yes, that does take place in a lot of areas.”
If you take anything away from this, please take action and urge your representatives to pass this bill. It’s time we rally together, stand up as protectors and providers, and put an end to this evil.
Use this link: https://t.co/80JNw4LV8i@TimTebow pic.twitter.com/33717dMsR0
— Shawn Ryan Show (@ShawnRyanShow) May 13, 2025
“But man,” he continued, “it’s overwhelming when you think how much is done by families, by friends, by those in the trusted circle. And especially when we fight against child exploitation and child sexual abuse, it’s off the charts of what is being done in the families.”
Moreover, Tebow said, “One of the most heartbreaking” realities is that “the number one offender is “biological fathers.”
“By far,” he explained later, “it is being done by middle-aged, Caucasian men, many…of them college graduates, many of them are educated” with “good jobs.”
Tim Tebow and Shawn Ryan Discuss the Horrors of Child Abuse
Tim Tebow is a former professional athlete, Heisman Trophy winner, and activist. He played college football for the Florida Gators and won national championships in 2006 and 2008.
Tebow is the founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, which has a “mission of bringing Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need” and “a vision to reach the Most Vulnerable People in the world.” In particular, the foundation focuses on anti-human trafficking and child exploitation, special needs ministry, orphan care and prevention, and profound medical needs.
Shawn Ryan is a former Navy SEAL, a former CIA contractor, special operations outreach consultant for Veterans Advocacy Services, and a CNBC contributor. He is the owner of Vigilance Elite, a company that provides training to civilians and law enforcement so people can protect themselves “against imminent threats.” Actor Keanu Reeves trained with Ryan to prepare for the third movie in the “John Wick” franchise.
The mission of “The Shawn Ryan Show” is “preserving history through the unfiltered stories of heroic events and current world issues by honoring the real experiences of the men and women who lived them.”
