Pedophilia 1

Pedophilia

Maggie Havranek, Alena Johnson, Natara Matias

College Of Mount Saint Vincent

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Pedophilia is defined as an adult who is sexually attracted to young children. Pedophilia is a

psychological disorder where an adult or older adolescent experiences a sexual preference for children

before they reach puberty. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

(DSM), pedophilia is specified as a form of paraphilia in which, a person either has intense sexual

urges towards children, and experiences recurrent sexual urges and fantasies about children that they

have either acted on, or cause distress or interpersonal difficulty (American Psychiatric Association,

2000). Fifty to seventy percent of pedophiles are also diagnosed as having another paraphilia (Hall, R.

& Hall, R. 2007).The diagnosis can be made under the DSM or ICD criteria for persons age 16 and

older. The causes are not known. Most pedophiles are middle aged white men but there are also

women pedophiles. Studies in the UK and USA suggest that a range of 5% to 20% of child sexual

abuse offenses are perpetrated by women (Hall, R. & Hall, R. 2007). This is significant because due to

stereotyping, the majority of the population believes that only men are pedophiles but women are as

well. The classic case is of Mary Kay Letourneau, a school teacher; who was convicted for the

statutory rape of Vili Fualaau, he was 12 and she, 34. Mary Kay served a 7 year prison term, was

released, and married Vili, they now have 2 children.

There are different classifications of pedophiles when describing their disorder. They may be

an exclusive pedophile, in which they are only attracted to children; or nonexclusive, and also attracted

to adults. Research has shown pedophiles are usually attracted to a certain age or gender of a child as

well, classifying further . Male pedophiles can be categorized as heterosexual (female children),

homosexual (male children), or bisexual (Hall, R. & Hall, R. 2007). Some pedophiles commit acts

upon family members and are referred to as incestuous pedophiles. It was found that fifty percent of

acts committed against children aged six and younger and 42% of acts against ages six through eleven

were by a family member (Hall, R. & Hall, R. 2007).

This disorder is not only dangerous for the pedophile, but for the children that are also affected.
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It is not accurately known how many cases of pedophilia involving acts with children exist. Pedophiles

rarely seek treatment (Hall, R. & Hall, R., 2007) It is estimated that one in twenty cases of child sexual

abuse is reported (Hall, R. & Hall, R., 2007). The number of convictions in the legal system cannot

properly measure the amount of child victims. One study showed that most participating sex offenders;

convicted of sexual abuse on a child; admitted to more victims and acts (Horner, G., 2006). Another

study reported that, “453 pedophiles recruited through outpatient treatment programs admitted to an

average of 236 sexual acts and 148 victims per offender” (Horner, G., 2006). This is significant and

has a large impact on children affected and the community as a population. Due to this disorders

impact on the community, the justice system has guidelines and responses for this behavior, in order to

keep safety. Sexual offenders are liable to serve time in prison and upon release may be required to:

register with law enforcement, notify the community of their presence, civil commitment, mandated

outpatient treatment, and even castration (Edwards, D., 2004). Under civil commitment, sex offenders

receive treatment until they are deemed fit but may be held indefinitely in institutions (Edwards,

D.,2004). Without treatment, the recidivism (relapse) rate is fifty percent in homosexuals and thirty-

five to forty percent in heterosexuals (Bradford, J., 1994) .

As nurses, we can initiate classes or workshops for children to educate them on how to avoid

situations that could possibly allow them to fall victim to attack. Programs teaching children to stay in

groups, to yell or run when encountered by adults that make them uncomfortable, and not to talk to

strangers. To provide help for persons that are pedophiles, there are various techniques. Cognitive and

behavioral therapies are most common. One method is to administer medications such

medroxyprogesterone acetate, or MPA, a female hormone; luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

(LHRH) agonists, which include such drugs as triptorelin (Trelstar), leuprolide acetate, and goserelin

acetate; and anti-androgens, which block the uptake and metabolism of testosterone as well as reducing

blood levels of this hormone (Rosler, A., & Witztum, E., 1999). By decreasing the testosterone levels in
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male pedophiles, you in turn decrease their sexual appetite. In cases of repeat violent rape offenders

another method could be surgical castration. In cases where you already have a child molestation

victim, hotlines or therapy groups can be established to help with the emotional and mental scars

caused by their attacker. Creating methods on how to cope with anxiety or fear after an attack can

possibly help a victim return to having a normal life. On the other hand, when it comes to helping the

family of the pedophile counseling should be set up to address ambivalence, abandonment, shame,

guilt, and anger. These family members can feel some sort of resentment toward the pedophile because

their acts embarrass and disgrace the family. It might be a good idea to have a social worker go out and

meet with the family for regular visits to help the family cope and adjust to the new situation.
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Works Cited

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-IV-
TR. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

Bradford, J.M. (1994). Can Pedophilia Be Treated? Harvard Mental Health Letter, 10(9), 8.

Edwards, D.J. (2004). Mental Health's Cold Shoulder Treatment of Pedophilia: experts urge
professionals to overcome the disorder's stigma to help reduce future victimization. Behavioral
Health Management, 24(3), 32-37.

Hall, R.C., & Hall, R.C. (2007). A Profile of Pedophilia: Definition, Characteristics of Offenders,
Recidivism, Treatment Outcomes, and Forensic Issues. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 82(4), 457-471.

Horner, G. (2006). Pedophilia. On The Edge, 12(3).

Rosler, A., & Witztum, E. (1999). A New Treatment For Pedophilia. Harvard Mental Health Letter,
16(4), 7.