Sunday 8 July 2012

Is every pedophile a child molester?

Is there an obvious answer to this question? Not if my experiences online recently are anything to go by. I decided to investigate the definitions of pedophilia.


As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia, or paedophilia, is defined as a psychiatric disorder in persons who are 16 years of age or older typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children (generally those under the age of 14, though onset of puberty varies). The prepubescent child must be at least five years younger than the person before the attraction can be diagnosed as pedophilia. (wikipedia)

In popular usage, pedophilia means any sexual interest in children or the act of child sexual abuse, often termed "pedophilic behavior."[2][7][8][9] For example, The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary states, "Pedophilia is the act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children."[10] This common use application also extends to the sexual interest in and sexual contact with pubescent or post-pubescent minors.[11][12] Researchers recommend that these imprecise uses be avoided because although people who commit child sexual abuse commonly exhibit the disorder,[7][13][14] some offenders do not meet the clinical diagnosis standards for pedophilia and these standards pertain to prepubescents.[11][15][16] Additionally, not all pedophiles actually commit such abuse.[16][17] (wikipedia)

OK.. So by the above definitions not every pedophile actually physically sexually molests a child. So I now turn to the definition for child sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent
uses a child for sexual stimulation.[1][2] Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc.) with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to intimidate or groom the child, physical sexual contact with a child, or using a
child to produce child pornography.[1][3][4]

The effects of child sexual abuse can include depression,[5] post-traumatic stress
disorder
,[6] anxiety,[7] propensity to further victimization in adulthood,[8] and
physical injury to the child, among other problems.[9] Sexual abuse by
a family member is a form of incest, and can result in more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.[10] (wikipedia)

Under the law, "child sexual abuse" is an umbrella term describing criminal and civil
offenses in which an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor or exploits a minor for
the purpose of sexual gratification.[4][20] The American Psychiatric
Association
states that "children cannot consent to sexual activity with
adults", and condemns any such action by an adult: "An adult who engages in
sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act which
never can be considered normal or socially acceptable behavior." (wikipedia)

A question being raised on Twitter was "is every pedophile a child molester?"

My opinion is this.

YES. I believe that taking sexual gratification from watching films, viewing images or physically watching a child naked, is perverted. They allow a child to be sexually used for their own gratification and are therefore as guilty as the perpetrator by association.

I equally believe that those who turn a blind eye (for whatever reason) to child abuse are also guilty. Doing nothing is tantamount to condoning the act.

Allowing a child to be used for sexual gratification is wrong. Should there be an effort made to distinguish between those that physically abuse and those that take pleasure from observivng the abuse? Why, both are perversions against the most innocent members of human society. I say NO. A technical "pedophile" condones and enjoys the physical abuse and sexual manipulation of children. A child molestor often provides material for the pedophiles. One feeds off the other with the children being the victims. It is perverted behaviour.

Perversion is a concept describing those types of human behavior that are excessive or deviated from what is considered to be orthodox or normal. Although it can refer to varying forms of deviation, it is most often used to describe sexual behaviors that are seen by an individual as abnormal, repulsive or obsessive. (wikipedia)

8 comments:

Patricia Singleton said...

You bet me to the draw this time. I printed out the same Wikipedia article that you used as a resource. I don't think I could say what I think about pedophiles any better than you have said it right here. Thanks for your continued support.

Did you notice that the person that was so upset in our conversation on Twitter never answered my question or yours as to whether or not he is a pedophile? By not answering, he answered the questions.

Anonymous said...

At the risk of stating what will no doubt be very obvious to many...
Clearly, anyone who views material however obtained and which contains images or sounds of sexual abuse of those who are without mental capacity, or ability to refuse, or make reasoned choice, then those persons are guilty of providing a market for the perverts who carry out these despicable acts. They are therefore, in my opinion, as guilty as those obtaining the media having abused another person.

Nikky44 said...

THANK YOU!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"

YES. I believe that taking sexual gratification from watching films, viewing images or physically watching a child naked, is perverted. They allow a child to be sexually used for their own gratification and are therefore as guilty as the perpetrator by association."

What about pedophiles who dont watch and actually denounce CP? What about pedophiles who are against child molestation and pornography?


Equating such a person with a molester is... well, idiotic.

Anonymous said...

I learned that the creature that my ex left the children and I for,is frequently going abroad! Police and Social Services told us,its a Schedule 1 Sex Offender.
I told the police,who were disinterested.
However,in its native Aberdeen it had 50 convictions,and did time.
It moved and is not allowed into Aberdeen,but I hear it does go there!

Unknown said...

Jan,
I also called myself @AMANDA TODD

Unknown said...

they are all perverts

http://sophia222smith.wordpress.com/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=post said...

Hi Jân, thought provoking as always. Most of us just don't entertain the notion of sexual desire towards certain others such as brothers, sisters, parents etc., and we naturally have an aversion to abusing the innocence of children.

The taboo that holds it to be unacceptable in thought and deed has been a protection for healthy social living. It worked in the same way as the taboo's around cannabilism and necrophillia, they don't need to be thought about, they are just innately known to be wrong, ie., don't go there.

The taboo of csa has had to be broken because not thinking about it has led to so many suffering in the silence - blind eyes and deaf ears are being forced to attend and it's up to the likes of us to lead the way into understanding.

Thanks for all that you do Jân, it's not an easy path.




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