Blog 02 - CLARIFYING PEDOPHILIC DISORDER

Vanessa Beaulieu

Vanessa (she/her) is a second-year student in psychology and the  lab coordinator. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies from the University of Montreal (2012), a Yoga Alliance-issued teaching certification in Yoga instruction (2020), and a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health from the Téluq University (2022). She is keenly interested in the use of yoga as a complementary tool in the treatment of certain psychopathologies and physical and sexual traumas.

The difference between child sexual offenders and individuals with a pedophilic disorder (commonly referred to as pedophiles or people with pedophilic interests) is often misunderstood, leading to widespread stigma and negative consequences for those affected. The media plays a significant role in this stigmatization by frequently using individuals with a pedophilic disorder and child sexual offender interchangeably, which reinforces misconceptions and irrational fears in society (Garant et al., 2022; Ischebeck et al., 2024). This lack of understanding of the differences between these terms is also prevalent among social work students. A study revealed that 54% of social work students believed they should report a client who self-identified as a pedophile to the police, demonstrating a lack of understanding of legal obligations and the nuances of this condition (Walker et al., 2022).

A German study conducted in 2015 found that reactions towards individuals with a pedophilic disorder were more negative and stigmatizing compared to those towards individuals with alcohol use problems, those engaging in sexual sadism, and individuals with antisocial tendencies. Additionally, 64% of participants in this study believed that individuals with a pedophilic disorder who had never committed a sexual offense against a child should die. As a result, many people harbor anger towards this group and avoid any personal contact with them (Jhanke et al., 2015).

Pedophilic disorder is characterized by a persistent and intense sexual attraction to children under 13 years of age, whether or not actual sexual behaviors have occurred. For a diagnosis to be made, the individual must either act on their thoughts, fantasies, or sexual urges, or experience significant distress related to their sexual interests (American Psychiatric Association, 2015; World Health Organization, 2022). In a legal context, the term child sexual offender varies from country to country and does not necessarily refer to a specific psychological or medical condition. While individuals with a diagnosis of pedophilic disorder may never commit a sexual offense against a child, sexual offenders have indeed sexually abused at least one child (Feelgood & Hoyer, 2008; Garant et al., 2022).

1. Acceptance
To help individuals with a pedophilic disorder, it is crucial to adopt therapeutic approaches based on acceptance and understanding rather than repression and stigmatization. Accepting the sexual attraction to children among individuals with pedophilic disorder can improve their psychological and social well-being, while reducing the risk of deviant behaviors. A study showed that avoiding contact with children was associated with a tendency to suppress unwanted thoughts and feelings, which decreased psychological well-being. In contrast, acceptance-based strategies have been shown to reduce shame and guilt and improve hope for the future, helping these individuals lead a crime-free life (Lievesley et al., 2020).

2. The public health model
Treatment for individuals with a pedophilic disorder is limited and rarely available outside of the judicial sector. The public health model includes surveillance, research on risk and protective factors, the development of prevention strategies, and the dissemination of promising practices. These elements combine strategies to prevent abuse and reduce the risk of recidivism. The public health model should therefore be promoted as it recognizes the epidemiological complexity, the multiple causal pathways leading to delinquency, and the diversity of offender profiles (Cant et al., 2022; Van Horn et al., 2014; Whitaker et al., 2005).

Understanding and differentiating between child sexual offenders and individuals with a pedophilic disorder is crucial for reducing stigma, providing appropriate support, and enhancing community safety through informed, compassionate approaches and effective prevention strategies. Through education, and the promotion of acceptance and the public health model, we can foster a more empathetic society and improve the lives of those affected while preventing potential harm.

If you are experiencing emotional distress related to sexual fantasies involving minors, you can contact:

• Ça suffit or consult their self-help module (Quebec, Canada): Ça suffit
• B4U-ACT (worldwide): B4U-ACT
• Stop It Now (UK and Ireland): Stop It Now

Disclaimer: Please note that this blog article only provides an overview of pedophilic disorder based on the current state of the scientific literature. This blog article does not endorse any treatments for pedophilic disorder or any other mental health issues.


References
American Psychiatric Association. (2015). DSM-5 : Manuel diagnostique et statistique des troubles mentaux (traduit par J.-D. Guelfi et M.-A. Crocq; 5e éd.). Elsevier Masson.

Cant, R. L., Harries, M., & Chamarette, C. (2022). Using a public health approach to prevent child sexual abuse by targeting those at risk of harming children. International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice: A Publication of the Kempe Center and the Haruv Institute, 5(4), 573–592. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42448-022-00128-7

Garant, E., Gauthier, A., Higgs, T., James, J., & Bouchard, J. P. (2022). Are all pedophiles child sex. offenders? Annales Medico-Psychologiques, 180(8), 821–831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amp.2022.07.025

Grady, M. D., Levenson, J. S., Mesias, G., Kavanagh, S., & Charles, J. (2019). “I can’t talk about that”: Stigma and fear as barriers to preventive services for minor-attracted persons. Stigma and Health, 4(4), 400–410. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000154

Feelgood, S., & Hoyer, J. (2008). Child molester or paedophile? Sociolegal versus psychopathological classification of sexual offenders against children. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 14(1), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600802133860

Ischebeck, J., Kuhle, L. F., Rosenbach, C., & Stelzmann, D. (2024). Journalism and pedophilia: Background on the media coverage of a stigmatized minority. Stigma and Health, 9(1), 20–29.  

Jahnke, S., Imhoff, R., & Hoyer, J. (2015). Stigmatization of people with pedophilia: Two comparative surveys. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44, 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0312-4

Lievesley, R., Harper, C. A., & Elliott, H. (2020). The internalization of social stigma among minor-attracted persons: Implications for treatment. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(4), 1291–1304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-01569-x

Van Horn, J., Eisenberg, M., Nicholls, C. M., Mulder, J., Webster, S., Paskell, C., Brown, A., Stam, J., Kerr, J., & Jago, N. (2015). Stop It Now! A pilot study into the limits and benefits of a free helpline preventing child sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 24(8), 853–872. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2015.1088914

Walker, A., Butters, R. P., & Nichols, E. (2022). “I would report it even if they have not committed anything”: Social service students’ attitudes toward minor-attracted people. Sexual Abuse, 34(1), 52-77. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063221993480

Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J. R., & Shelley, G. A. (2005). Child Maltreatment Prevention Priorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Child Maltreatment, 10(3), 245–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559505274674

World Health Organization. (2022). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). Retrieved from https://icd.who.int/.
 

Text edited by Beáta Bőthe and Susanne Coulombe