By Joshua Morrison
Credit: Wynand van Poortvliet
The thought that your neighbour could be a pedophile is surely enough to fill anyone with a sense of revulsion, disgust, and suspicion. That same person you smile at as you walk past them every day on your way to work; the same person who shared a joke with you over the fence; the same person who you have invited into your home. A pedophile?
If they walk among us - invisible and undetected - what possible strategy could we devise to protect our children from abuse? Because all pedophiles abuse children, right? False. Not every individual will go on to abuse children. In fact, research suggests attraction to children is not the inevitable precursor to abuse; rather it is factors associated with the condition which determine whether a pedophile has a higher risk of committing abuse.
A renowned forensic psychologist and sexologist, Michael Seto – a leading authority on the issue of pedophilia, child sexual abuse, and program evaluation - calculates the prevalence of individuals with pedophillic urges could be as high as 5% of the population - with most surveys suggesting 3 – 9%.
Seto himself remarks: "People would feel better if there was a profile, but there really isn't. It could be a person who is a trusted member of the community. They are employed. They have friends. It doesn't fit with the idea that this person is different in some way that we could notice and protect ourselves”.
This could mean anyone who reads this article could know a pedophile, but may not realise it. Whatever your view on the subject, are we not united in a desire to protect children? And how else can we do this if not by encouraging these individuals to voluntarily come forward and seek out the treatment which will reduce the risk that they may go on to abuse a child. The alternative is we do nothing. And we take a gamble on the safety of our children.
Preventative action may be the only option, however unpalpable, to protect children. Dangerous rhetoric and stigma around pedophiles hinder the opportunity we to have to encourage non-offending pedophiles to come forward, seek treatment, and commit to a life free of abuse. This is a future which is more than possible, for many pedophiles. However, this first requires a seismic shift in our understanding and our approach.
So, what stigma do pedophiles face? And is this not warranted? Research suggests not. The clinical psychologists - Sara Jahnke, Roland Imhoff and Juergen Hoyer – conducted a series of surveys where they found 28% of the public said that pedophiles would be better off dead, even if they had committed no crime. The individuals themselves fear being ‘outed’ as a pedophile and the consequences this would have for their romantic lives, social lives, job prospects and so on. They fear being ostracised from society.
In a comparative study 52% of respondents said they would consider seeking professional support, yet only 36% believed a therapist would understand. It is evident fear of stigmatisation is deeply rooted. This can lead to social isolation, which in turn leads to a reduction of social control of pedophillic sexual urges as well as chances to implement preventative measures. Anti-pedophile rhetoric fuels stigma and puts those individuals at risk of stigma-related stresses such as poor mental health and interpersonal outcomes.
Stigma reduction efforts may be a key aspect in encouraging individuals struggling to cope with pedophillic urges to seek help, since stigma is a major impediment to seeking mental health treatment. This can be said for all mental health issues.
While stigma-reduction efforts may seem like an attempt to normalise pedophilia and attach it to the notion of sexuality, removing stigma does not make these things an eventuality. In fact, it is the failure of our current approach to adequately protect children which makes a fundamental re-think of our approach a necessity. The root cause of abuse must be addressed, rather than waiting until children are abused before action is taken.
Research is also clear on another point: there is no cure. We must recognise it for what it is. A disorder. An abnormal sexual desire: one which if acted upon would cause gross emotional, psychological and physical trauma to children. Yet, for those individuals who have committed no offences, they cannot change their attraction. They cannot be converted. Focus must be placed on treatment which can reduce the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours which can increase the chance of sexual offences. Preventative measures may be our greatest asset.
Michael Seto argues: “If pedophilia cannot be cured using available treatments, investing in efforts to prevent pedophilia or to prevent sexual offences against children by pedophillic individuals seems warranted”.
We do not know the risk posed by pedophiles with no known history of sexual contact with children. Our current approach primarily deals with punishing child sexual abuse after the abuse has taken place. But we know the deep emotional, psychological, and physical consequences this abuse can take on a child, who will carry this around for the rest of their lives.
There are currently various charities who advocate for the approach set out in this article. STOP IT NOW! is a notable example who, among other things, offer guidance and support to pedophiles who may be struggling with their urges. Through education and support, they seek to address the complex circumstances which may lead a pedophile down the path of abuse.
Therefore, I advocate the following: A fundamental rethink on how we approach the subject. This must be an approach guided by research, and not by reactionary rhetoric, which may increase the risk of initiation of sexual offending. If we are serious about protecting more children from abuse, we must consider the unpalatable and seek to engage with pedophiles, and support them to lead a life free of abuse. Our priority must always be to safeguard vulnerable children from abuse; our current approach fails those children. It is time we open door to new ideas.
If they walk among us - invisible and undetected - what possible strategy could we devise to protect our children from abuse? Because all pedophiles abuse children, right? False. Not every individual will go on to abuse children. In fact, research suggests attraction to children is not the inevitable precursor to abuse; rather it is factors associated with the condition which determine whether a pedophile has a higher risk of committing abuse.
A renowned forensic psychologist and sexologist, Michael Seto – a leading authority on the issue of pedophilia, child sexual abuse, and program evaluation - calculates the prevalence of individuals with pedophillic urges could be as high as 5% of the population - with most surveys suggesting 3 – 9%.
Seto himself remarks: "People would feel better if there was a profile, but there really isn't. It could be a person who is a trusted member of the community. They are employed. They have friends. It doesn't fit with the idea that this person is different in some way that we could notice and protect ourselves”.
This could mean anyone who reads this article could know a pedophile, but may not realise it. Whatever your view on the subject, are we not united in a desire to protect children? And how else can we do this if not by encouraging these individuals to voluntarily come forward and seek out the treatment which will reduce the risk that they may go on to abuse a child. The alternative is we do nothing. And we take a gamble on the safety of our children.
Preventative action may be the only option, however unpalpable, to protect children. Dangerous rhetoric and stigma around pedophiles hinder the opportunity we to have to encourage non-offending pedophiles to come forward, seek treatment, and commit to a life free of abuse. This is a future which is more than possible, for many pedophiles. However, this first requires a seismic shift in our understanding and our approach.
So, what stigma do pedophiles face? And is this not warranted? Research suggests not. The clinical psychologists - Sara Jahnke, Roland Imhoff and Juergen Hoyer – conducted a series of surveys where they found 28% of the public said that pedophiles would be better off dead, even if they had committed no crime. The individuals themselves fear being ‘outed’ as a pedophile and the consequences this would have for their romantic lives, social lives, job prospects and so on. They fear being ostracised from society.
In a comparative study 52% of respondents said they would consider seeking professional support, yet only 36% believed a therapist would understand. It is evident fear of stigmatisation is deeply rooted. This can lead to social isolation, which in turn leads to a reduction of social control of pedophillic sexual urges as well as chances to implement preventative measures. Anti-pedophile rhetoric fuels stigma and puts those individuals at risk of stigma-related stresses such as poor mental health and interpersonal outcomes.
Stigma reduction efforts may be a key aspect in encouraging individuals struggling to cope with pedophillic urges to seek help, since stigma is a major impediment to seeking mental health treatment. This can be said for all mental health issues.
While stigma-reduction efforts may seem like an attempt to normalise pedophilia and attach it to the notion of sexuality, removing stigma does not make these things an eventuality. In fact, it is the failure of our current approach to adequately protect children which makes a fundamental re-think of our approach a necessity. The root cause of abuse must be addressed, rather than waiting until children are abused before action is taken.
Research is also clear on another point: there is no cure. We must recognise it for what it is. A disorder. An abnormal sexual desire: one which if acted upon would cause gross emotional, psychological and physical trauma to children. Yet, for those individuals who have committed no offences, they cannot change their attraction. They cannot be converted. Focus must be placed on treatment which can reduce the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours which can increase the chance of sexual offences. Preventative measures may be our greatest asset.
Michael Seto argues: “If pedophilia cannot be cured using available treatments, investing in efforts to prevent pedophilia or to prevent sexual offences against children by pedophillic individuals seems warranted”.
We do not know the risk posed by pedophiles with no known history of sexual contact with children. Our current approach primarily deals with punishing child sexual abuse after the abuse has taken place. But we know the deep emotional, psychological, and physical consequences this abuse can take on a child, who will carry this around for the rest of their lives.
There are currently various charities who advocate for the approach set out in this article. STOP IT NOW! is a notable example who, among other things, offer guidance and support to pedophiles who may be struggling with their urges. Through education and support, they seek to address the complex circumstances which may lead a pedophile down the path of abuse.
Therefore, I advocate the following: A fundamental rethink on how we approach the subject. This must be an approach guided by research, and not by reactionary rhetoric, which may increase the risk of initiation of sexual offending. If we are serious about protecting more children from abuse, we must consider the unpalatable and seek to engage with pedophiles, and support them to lead a life free of abuse. Our priority must always be to safeguard vulnerable children from abuse; our current approach fails those children. It is time we open door to new ideas.
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