What's The Latest Thinking Around Pedophiles Including Treatment?

My apologies for the delay in getting this one done. I wanted to consult with some folks who work in this area.

I know I usually jump straight into an answer, but this answer can’t easily be summed up in a sentence or two.

Let me start by defining what pedophilia is. While that word sometimes gets thrown around, I’m not sure how many people actually know the definition.

Pedophilic disorder is when a person has sexually arousing thoughts or fantasies about children. Usually these children are 13 or younger.

Someone who has pedophilic disorder may not have actually engaged in any sexual behaviors with children. They may just be really bothered by having these thoughts or fantasies.

It’s important that I pause here to point out that this is the definition of pedophilic disorder. This is not necessarily a legal definition. And the reason that this is important is that what is considered a “child” differs from state to state. Especially when it comes to consent and sex.

You may have heard the phrase “age of majority.” This is when a person legally becomes an adult. You might think that that’s 18 for all states, but it’s not. Three states, Alabama, Mississippi and Nebraska, have an age of majority higher than 18.

But the age at which you can consent to sex varies even more. In some states it’s 16, some 17 and some 18. And in some states the age of consent is going to depend on how old the two people are. If you want more information on this, just ask.

Like many other paraphilic disorders, much of what we know about people with pedophilic disorders is based on people who are in treatment. They may be in treatment because they were so unsettled by their thoughts and fantasies that they sought help. Or they may be in treatment because it is court ordered.

The vast majority of pedophiles are male. And the children they are sexually aroused by may be male or female, or both. And the sex of the children may not be consistent with the sex of the pedophile’s partner.

For some pedophiles the thoughts, fantasies or actions may be with family members. For others, it’s about kids outside the family.

Remember, we don’t know what we don’t know about pedophiles because of the limited number of people who have been studied.

Treatment usually involves psychotherapy, or medications, or a combination of the two.

The psychotherapy may be one-on-one counseling with a mental health professional, or group therapy, or both.

Drugs that will reduce a person’s testosterone levels are sometimes used in the treatment of pedophiles. This is sometimes referred to as chemical castration.

In some states, prisoners who committed sex crimes who are going to be released back into the community must undergo chemical castration.

I need to point out that chemical castration is not only used for sex offenders! So don’t jump to conclusions if you know someone who is taking medications like this. They can be also used in the treatment of some cancers.

I know this was a brief overview, but I’m hoping I answered whatever questions you may have had. If I didn’t, just let me know.

Until next time, be safe, and have fun!

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