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)