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Not 50% but 0,4% … Summarized,
Sep 22 2021
An English short summary of:
0,4 Prozent, nicht 50 Prozent Anteil der „pädophilen“ Männer an allen „Tätern“ des „sexuellen Kindesmissbrauchs“, by Filip Schuster,
by Frans Gieles, PhD, webmaster of Ipce.
Open this summary to see the link to Schuster's article in German language.
An English short summary of:
0,4 Prozent, nicht 50 Prozent Anteil der „pädophilen“ Männer an allen „Tätern“ des „sexuellen Kindesmissbrauchs“, by Filip Schuster,
by Frans Gieles, PhD, webmaster of Ipce.
Open this summary to see the link to Schuster's article in German language.
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The age of the girls and the boys in the Tanner stages
The studies listed were identified by the author in 2017 using a systematic literature search. ...
In recent decades, the age at which girls reach puberty has declined by 0.24 years per decade, [...] Therefore, it may be that in the last five years since the literature review was conducted, the age at reaching puberty has decreased slightly. ...
Girls do not typically reach puberty at age eleven, as has been widely claimed (...), but rather at age nine. ...
Girls are not in Tanner stage 4 (...) at 15 to 16/17 years, but at twelve to 14 years. ...
Accordingly, the desire of girls from the age of ten and of boys from the age of eleven was and is not evidence of preferential desire of prepubescents ("pedophilia").
The studies listed were identified by the author in 2017 using a systematic literature search. ...
In recent decades, the age at which girls reach puberty has declined by 0.24 years per decade, [...] Therefore, it may be that in the last five years since the literature review was conducted, the age at reaching puberty has decreased slightly. ...
Girls do not typically reach puberty at age eleven, as has been widely claimed (...), but rather at age nine. ...
Girls are not in Tanner stage 4 (...) at 15 to 16/17 years, but at twelve to 14 years. ...
Accordingly, the desire of girls from the age of ten and of boys from the age of eleven was and is not evidence of preferential desire of prepubescents ("pedophilia").
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Quotes from: Compassion-focused therapy as an intervention for sexual offending
Conclusion:
The development of trauma–aware practice demonstrates the prevalence of adverse child experiences in the histories of people with sexual offences an points to functional links between trauma and sexual offending. However, common feature of the predominant intervention models is a focus on criminogenic needs without attention to the (often traumatic) genesis for these.
We have argued here that survival responses to trauma and adversity give rise to the development of criminogenic needs, and it is necessary to address the origins of criminogenic factors in order to prevent further harm. We propose that CFT offers a therapeutic model for doing this, providing a means to formulate criminogenic needs in the context of trauma and a means of developing a motivation that moves people away from harmful behaviour. The two case examples of interventions that use CFT as their main component show promising outcomes for psychological wellbeing and acknowledgment risk.
PS:
* A Dutch version is given here:
< https://www.helping-people.info/compassie_als_de_kern.html >.
Conclusion:
The development of trauma–aware practice demonstrates the prevalence of adverse child experiences in the histories of people with sexual offences an points to functional links between trauma and sexual offending. However, common feature of the predominant intervention models is a focus on criminogenic needs without attention to the (often traumatic) genesis for these.
We have argued here that survival responses to trauma and adversity give rise to the development of criminogenic needs, and it is necessary to address the origins of criminogenic factors in order to prevent further harm. We propose that CFT offers a therapeutic model for doing this, providing a means to formulate criminogenic needs in the context of trauma and a means of developing a motivation that moves people away from harmful behaviour. The two case examples of interventions that use CFT as their main component show promising outcomes for psychological wellbeing and acknowledgment risk.
PS:
* A Dutch version is given here:
< https://www.helping-people.info/compassie_als_de_kern.html >.
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Quotes from: Humanizing Pedophilia as Stigma Reduction: A Large‑Scale Intervention Study;
Archives of Sexual Behavior ;
2022(51), 945–960
The stigmatization of people with pedophilic sexual interests is a topic of growing academic and professional consideration, owing to its potential role in moderating pedophiles’ emotional well-being, and motivation and engagement in child abuse prevention schemes. Thus, improving attitudes and reducing stigmatization toward this group is of paramount importance.
Prior research has suggested that narrative humanization — presenting personal stories of self-identified non-offending pedophiles — could be one route to doing this.
However, this work has only been conducted with students or trainee psychotherapists, meaning the public generalizability of this method is still unknown.
In this study, we compared two stigma interventions to test whether narratives reduce stigma toward people with pedophilic interests more effectively than an informative alternative (scientific information about pedophilia). Using a longitudinal experimental design with a lack of non-intervention control (initial N = 950; final N = 539), we found that
(1) narratives had consistently positive effects on all measured aspects of stigmatization (dangerousness, intentionality), whereas
(2) an informative alternative had mixed results, and actually increased perceptions of pedophiles’ levels of deviance.
These effects were still present four months after the initial presentation.
We discuss these data in relation to ongoing debates about treating pedophilia as a public health issue requiring a broad societal approach to well-being and child abuse prevention.
The stigmatization of people with pedophilic sexual interests is a topic of growing academic and professional consideration, owing to its potential role in moderating pedophiles’ emotional well-being, and motivation and engagement in child abuse prevention schemes. Thus, improving attitudes and reducing stigmatization toward this group is of paramount importance.
Prior research has suggested that narrative humanization — presenting personal stories of self-identified non-offending pedophiles — could be one route to doing this.
However, this work has only been conducted with students or trainee psychotherapists, meaning the public generalizability of this method is still unknown.
In this study, we compared two stigma interventions to test whether narratives reduce stigma toward people with pedophilic interests more effectively than an informative alternative (scientific information about pedophilia). Using a longitudinal experimental design with a lack of non-intervention control (initial N = 950; final N = 539), we found that
(1) narratives had consistently positive effects on all measured aspects of stigmatization (dangerousness, intentionality), whereas
(2) an informative alternative had mixed results, and actually increased perceptions of pedophiles’ levels of deviance.
These effects were still present four months after the initial presentation.
We discuss these data in relation to ongoing debates about treating pedophilia as a public health issue requiring a broad societal approach to well-being and child abuse prevention.
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Quotes from: Lover, Mentor, or Exploiter;
Archives of Sexual Behavior;
51, 987-999
Sexual relationships between an adolescent and an older person are considered controversial and in many countries are conceptualized under the legal definition of statutory relationship/rape. Despite the consensus regarding their potential negative implications, little is known about how adolescents perceive and construct them. To address this lacuna, the current exploratory study examined how individuals who have experienced sexual relationships with an adult while growing up perceived the older person and the meaning they ascribed to the age gap [...]
A qualitative thematic methodology was incorporated in analyzing in-depth semi-structured interviews with 28 individuals (...) who had experienced sexual relationships with an (at least 2 years) older person during adolescence (...).
Participants described five different perceptions of the older persons:
- [1] romantic partner;
- [2] sexual partner;
- [3] authority figure;
- [4] complex/unstable figure; and
- [5] exploiter.
Subsequent analysis, focusing on the role participants assigned to age when describing these different images of older persons, shed additional light on their subjective perceptions; namely, for each image, age had a particular meaning.
This paper may contribute to the understanding of individuals’ experiences of sexual relationships with an older person by emphasizing the complexity of such relationships, as reflected in the participants’ construction of the older person’s image, potentially providing important information that can inform best practice for professionals working with this population.
Findings highlight the need to address diversity and ambiguity rather than the uniform dichotomy that characterizes the legal framing of automatically constructing these relationships as statutory.
Further implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Sexual relationships between an adolescent and an older person are considered controversial and in many countries are conceptualized under the legal definition of statutory relationship/rape. Despite the consensus regarding their potential negative implications, little is known about how adolescents perceive and construct them. To address this lacuna, the current exploratory study examined how individuals who have experienced sexual relationships with an adult while growing up perceived the older person and the meaning they ascribed to the age gap [...]
A qualitative thematic methodology was incorporated in analyzing in-depth semi-structured interviews with 28 individuals (...) who had experienced sexual relationships with an (at least 2 years) older person during adolescence (...).
Participants described five different perceptions of the older persons:
- [1] romantic partner;
- [2] sexual partner;
- [3] authority figure;
- [4] complex/unstable figure; and
- [5] exploiter.
Subsequent analysis, focusing on the role participants assigned to age when describing these different images of older persons, shed additional light on their subjective perceptions; namely, for each image, age had a particular meaning.
This paper may contribute to the understanding of individuals’ experiences of sexual relationships with an older person by emphasizing the complexity of such relationships, as reflected in the participants’ construction of the older person’s image, potentially providing important information that can inform best practice for professionals working with this population.
Findings highlight the need to address diversity and ambiguity rather than the uniform dichotomy that characterizes the legal framing of automatically constructing these relationships as statutory.
Further implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
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Reactions to Minor-Older and Minor-Peer Sex ...;
Archives of Sexual Behavior;
51(January 11, 2022), 961 - 985
Felson et al. (2019) used a large-scale nationally representative Finnish sample of sixth and ninth graders to estimate the population prevalence of negative subjective reactions to sexual experiences between minors under age 18 and persons at least 5 years older and between minors and peer-aged partners for comparison. [...]
The present study argued that focusing exclusively on negative reactions short-changed a fuller scientific understanding. It analyzed the full range of reactions in the same sample, focusing on positive reactions.
[... ... ...]
The [clearly high] frequency of positive reactions, their responsiveness to context, the similarity in reaction patterns with minor-peer sex, and the generalizability of the sample were argued to contradict the trauma view often applied to minor-older sex, holding it to be intrinsically aversive irrespective of context.
Felson et al. (2019) used a large-scale nationally representative Finnish sample of sixth and ninth graders to estimate the population prevalence of negative subjective reactions to sexual experiences between minors under age 18 and persons at least 5 years older and between minors and peer-aged partners for comparison. [...]
The present study argued that focusing exclusively on negative reactions short-changed a fuller scientific understanding. It analyzed the full range of reactions in the same sample, focusing on positive reactions.
[... ... ...]
The [clearly high] frequency of positive reactions, their responsiveness to context, the similarity in reaction patterns with minor-peer sex, and the generalizability of the sample were argued to contradict the trauma view often applied to minor-older sex, holding it to be intrinsically aversive irrespective of context.
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IMO Archive Library published,
Jan 27 2022
IMO Archive published.
This library has been the internal library of IMO = "Ipce Meets Online", from 2001 - 2004. This internal forum has stopped. This library is made public in 2022.
IMO Archive published.
This library has been the internal library of IMO = "Ipce Meets Online", from 2001 - 2004. This internal forum has stopped. This library is made public in 2022.
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Approximately 0.5 percent of all "perpetrators" of "sexual abuse" of "minors" are "pedophilic" men,
Feb 17 2022
For orientation in advance, a brief summary of the following calculation: According to the available Darkfield studies,
- 74 percent of all "perpetrators" of "sexual abuse" of "minors" are "minors" (people under 18 years of age) and
- only 26 percent are adults (women and men 18 years of age and older).
- 14 percent of all "perpetrators" are female and
- 86 percent are male, according to available dark field studies.
We assume here that this result based on "minor" and adult "perpetrators" also applies to adult "perpetrators". Then
- 4 percent of all "perpetrators" are women and
- 23 percent are men.
According to two Darkfield studies, about 2 percent of all adult males who have "sexually abused" "minors" are estimated to have a sexual age preference for prepubescents (people in the 0 to 9/10 age range). Accordingly, approximately 0.5 percent of all "perpetrators" of "sexual abuse" of "minors" are "pedophilic" adult males.
For orientation in advance, a brief summary of the following calculation: According to the available Darkfield studies,
- 74 percent of all "perpetrators" of "sexual abuse" of "minors" are "minors" (people under 18 years of age) and
- only 26 percent are adults (women and men 18 years of age and older).
- 14 percent of all "perpetrators" are female and
- 86 percent are male, according to available dark field studies.
We assume here that this result based on "minor" and adult "perpetrators" also applies to adult "perpetrators". Then
- 4 percent of all "perpetrators" are women and
- 23 percent are men.
According to two Darkfield studies, about 2 percent of all adult males who have "sexually abused" "minors" are estimated to have a sexual age preference for prepubescents (people in the 0 to 9/10 age range). Accordingly, approximately 0.5 percent of all "perpetrators" of "sexual abuse" of "minors" are "pedophilic" adult males.
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Ambivalence
The author sees a 'blind spot' in quantitative research, a.o. of Rind c.s.
In the quantitavie research, there is a line between +1 and -1, with zero between both figures: 'neutral' between 'positive' and 'negative.
In the qualitative view, there are two positions possible between positive and negative: neutral and ambivalent: positive and negative both.
The ambivalent feelings may be felt during the act, thus empirically, but also may have came up by influences later by other people: 'It was nice, but I have learned that is was bad, thus morally wrong'.
The latter view is quite often given by a psychologist with a blind eye for attachment problems within the family: 'That dirty man have caused all your problems', or even 'has destroyed your life', whereafter the parents think: 'We are OK'.
The author sees a 'blind spot' in quantitative research, a.o. of Rind c.s.
In the quantitavie research, there is a line between +1 and -1, with zero between both figures: 'neutral' between 'positive' and 'negative.
In the qualitative view, there are two positions possible between positive and negative: neutral and ambivalent: positive and negative both.
The ambivalent feelings may be felt during the act, thus empirically, but also may have came up by influences later by other people: 'It was nice, but I have learned that is was bad, thus morally wrong'.
The latter view is quite often given by a psychologist with a blind eye for attachment problems within the family: 'That dirty man have caused all your problems', or even 'has destroyed your life', whereafter the parents think: 'We are OK'.
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The power of social touch;
The Washington Post,
Feb 09 2023
Studies show that social touch is essential to our mental well-being and can reduce stress and pain while helping us bond with one another. [...]
Social touch is so important for our well-being that we have specific cells in our skin to detect it. [...]
Social touch causes the release of the social-bonding hormone oxytocin in the brain, which is thought to reduce anxiety and pain. [...]
Research opens up a potential target for future therapeutics that can use the skin to access reward circuits to help treat trauma or depression.
Studies show that social touch is essential to our mental well-being and can reduce stress and pain while helping us bond with one another. [...]
Social touch is so important for our well-being that we have specific cells in our skin to detect it. [...]
Social touch causes the release of the social-bonding hormone oxytocin in the brain, which is thought to reduce anxiety and pain. [...]
Research opens up a potential target for future therapeutics that can use the skin to access reward circuits to help treat trauma or depression.
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Police in Canada have arrested members of a vigilante “pedophile-hunting” group;
The Guardian,
Mar 31 2023
Quebec police announced on Thursday that six people had been arrested as part of an investigation into a group that had drawn complaints from the public.
Police in Canada have arrested members of a vigilante “pedophile-hunting” group, charging them with distribution of child abuse images, amid frustration over the group’s controversial tactics.
Quebec authorities announced six people were in custody for criminal harassment, intimidation and forcible confinement.
Quebec police announced on Thursday that six people had been arrested as part of an investigation into a group that had drawn complaints from the public.
Police in Canada have arrested members of a vigilante “pedophile-hunting” group, charging them with distribution of child abuse images, amid frustration over the group’s controversial tactics.
Quebec authorities announced six people were in custody for criminal harassment, intimidation and forcible confinement.
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Associations of the ten original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with mental health impairments after controlling for the other ACEs (meta-analysis)
The ten original ACEs (including emotional, physical, and "sexual abuse") are associated with mental impairment among the people affected in countless studies. The corresponding bivariate associations are to a considerable extent confounding bias. The extent of the causal relationships is unresolved. [...]
Methode: A systematic literature search was conducted to search for studies that determined the associations of each of the ten original ACEs with mental impairment in "minors" or adults after controlling for each of
the nine other original ACEs (and other ACEs, if applicable). [...]
Conclusions: The causal relationships between the ten original ACEs and mental health impairments are smaller than widely suspected. In the case of several original ACEs, long-term important negative health consequences
are not to be assumed. The ACEs concept should be fundamentally
reconsidered.
Limitations: Also, because of the many uncontrolled confounding variables (including genes and other ACEs), the associations identified by the metaanalysis are not precise causal effect sizes.
The ten original ACEs (including emotional, physical, and "sexual abuse") are associated with mental impairment among the people affected in countless studies. The corresponding bivariate associations are to a considerable extent confounding bias. The extent of the causal relationships is unresolved. [...]
Methode: A systematic literature search was conducted to search for studies that determined the associations of each of the ten original ACEs with mental impairment in "minors" or adults after controlling for each of
the nine other original ACEs (and other ACEs, if applicable). [...]
Conclusions: The causal relationships between the ten original ACEs and mental health impairments are smaller than widely suspected. In the case of several original ACEs, long-term important negative health consequences
are not to be assumed. The ACEs concept should be fundamentally
reconsidered.
Limitations: Also, because of the many uncontrolled confounding variables (including genes and other ACEs), the associations identified by the metaanalysis are not precise causal effect sizes.
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Quotes from: Associations of the ten original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with mental health impairments after controlling for the other ACEs (meta-analysis)
The ten original ACEs (including emotional, physical, and "sexual abuse") are associated with mental impairment among the people affected in countless studies. The corresponding bivariate associations are to a considerable extent confounding bias. The extent of the causal relationships is unresolved.
[... ... ...]
Results: The magnitude of the bivariate associations between the ten original ACEs and mental health impairments is typically medium across
studies (median r=0.22), typically very small (r=0.07) after controlling for the nine other original ACEs, and even smaller (r=0.05) after controlling for additional ACEs. The ACEs incarceration of a household member (r=-0.01) and witnessing violence against the mother/parents (r=0.01) are not associated with mental health impairments after controlling for more than each of the nine other original ACEs. These associations are also very low for the ACEs "sexual abuse", divorce/separation of parents, and alcohol/drug problem of a household member (r=0.04 each).
Conclusions: The causal relationships between the ten original ACEs and mental health impairments are smaller than widely suspected. In the case of several original ACEs, long-term important negative health consequences
are not to be assumed. The ACEs concept should be fundamentally reconsidered.
Limitations: Also, because of the many ncontrolled confounding variables (including genes and other ACEs), the ssociations identified by the metaanalysis are not precise causal effect sizes.
The ten original ACEs (including emotional, physical, and "sexual abuse") are associated with mental impairment among the people affected in countless studies. The corresponding bivariate associations are to a considerable extent confounding bias. The extent of the causal relationships is unresolved.
[... ... ...]
Results: The magnitude of the bivariate associations between the ten original ACEs and mental health impairments is typically medium across
studies (median r=0.22), typically very small (r=0.07) after controlling for the nine other original ACEs, and even smaller (r=0.05) after controlling for additional ACEs. The ACEs incarceration of a household member (r=-0.01) and witnessing violence against the mother/parents (r=0.01) are not associated with mental health impairments after controlling for more than each of the nine other original ACEs. These associations are also very low for the ACEs "sexual abuse", divorce/separation of parents, and alcohol/drug problem of a household member (r=0.04 each).
Conclusions: The causal relationships between the ten original ACEs and mental health impairments are smaller than widely suspected. In the case of several original ACEs, long-term important negative health consequences
are not to be assumed. The ACEs concept should be fundamentally reconsidered.
Limitations: Also, because of the many ncontrolled confounding variables (including genes and other ACEs), the ssociations identified by the metaanalysis are not precise causal effect sizes.
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Schuster, meta-analysis - some links to the references
Some Literature … from Schulte, Meta-analysis 2024, as far as easily to find on Ipce’s websites.
Some Literature … from Schulte, Meta-analysis 2024, as far as easily to find on Ipce’s websites.
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The spectacular achievements of media control
Update of this article: 2024:
When most Americans think about aggression in our society, our first thoughts are apt to include children being abused and/or killed by sick or outrightly criminal adults. We usually don't consider the somewhat broader context of what is going on behind the use of these issues, or the time periods in which they are most emphasized; in fact, in not seeing this we miss out on a crucial issue that comes down to what kind of society we want to live in.
Update of this article: 2024:
When most Americans think about aggression in our society, our first thoughts are apt to include children being abused and/or killed by sick or outrightly criminal adults. We usually don't consider the somewhat broader context of what is going on behind the use of these issues, or the time periods in which they are most emphasized; in fact, in not seeing this we miss out on a crucial issue that comes down to what kind of society we want to live in.
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Quotes from: The Treatment Needs and Experiences of Pedohebephiles: A Systematic Review;
Archives of Sexual Behavior;
3329 - 3346,
Jul 15 2024
People with a sexual interest in children face significant barriers to seeking and receiving mental health treatment.
This review aims to bridge the gap between the treatment needs and experiences of pedohebephiles, and the services aiming to support them. [...]
Research suggests that this population experiences significant levels of distress, depression, and anxiety related to their sexual interest.
Many individuals belonging to this population would seek (median=42.3%), or have sought (median=46.5%), treatment to cope with their sexual interest or with potential related mental health repercussions.
Their experiences in treatment have been mixed, with some reporting positive experiences with empathic therapists and others reporting rejection. Most frequently, pedohebephiles report fear of exposure and rejection as barriers to seeking treatment, in addition to fear of the legal repercussions. [...]
The findings indicate that the treatment needs of pedohebephiles often remain unaddressed. Suggestions to increase the fit between treatment services and the needs of pedohebephiles are put forward.
People with a sexual interest in children face significant barriers to seeking and receiving mental health treatment.
This review aims to bridge the gap between the treatment needs and experiences of pedohebephiles, and the services aiming to support them. [...]
Research suggests that this population experiences significant levels of distress, depression, and anxiety related to their sexual interest.
Many individuals belonging to this population would seek (median=42.3%), or have sought (median=46.5%), treatment to cope with their sexual interest or with potential related mental health repercussions.
Their experiences in treatment have been mixed, with some reporting positive experiences with empathic therapists and others reporting rejection. Most frequently, pedohebephiles report fear of exposure and rejection as barriers to seeking treatment, in addition to fear of the legal repercussions. [...]
The findings indicate that the treatment needs of pedohebephiles often remain unaddressed. Suggestions to increase the fit between treatment services and the needs of pedohebephiles are put forward.
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Quotes from: Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents;
Deutsches Ärzteblatt | Jg. 122 | Heft 11 | 30. Mai 2025;
122(11), ,
May 30 2025
Methods:
A representative sample of the German population aged 18 to 59 was selected for this survey with the aid of Infratest dimap (a private polling company). The participants were asked to fill in a combination of written postal and online questionnaires in a mixed-mode design from January to October 2024.
Results:
10 000 people were contacted in writing (response rate: 30.2%). 12.7% [...] stated that they were affected by sexual violence, including 20.6% of all women and 4.8% of all men. Men had more frequently experienced sexual violence in sports and leisure facilities, in a church context, and in the setting of government-provided child, youth, and family services. 37.4% [...] of the affected persons had not previously reported the crime to anyone. 31.7% [...] of respondents reported sexual violence via the internet and social media. The mental health of affected persons was poorer than that of unaffected persons.
Conclusion:
Many cases of sexual violence go unreported. The different settings in which these offenses are committed, e.g., the preponderance of male victims in institutional settings, further imply a need for differentiated protection strategies, addressing both potential victims and potential perpetrators.
Methods:
A representative sample of the German population aged 18 to 59 was selected for this survey with the aid of Infratest dimap (a private polling company). The participants were asked to fill in a combination of written postal and online questionnaires in a mixed-mode design from January to October 2024.
Results:
10 000 people were contacted in writing (response rate: 30.2%). 12.7% [...] stated that they were affected by sexual violence, including 20.6% of all women and 4.8% of all men. Men had more frequently experienced sexual violence in sports and leisure facilities, in a church context, and in the setting of government-provided child, youth, and family services. 37.4% [...] of the affected persons had not previously reported the crime to anyone. 31.7% [...] of respondents reported sexual violence via the internet and social media. The mental health of affected persons was poorer than that of unaffected persons.
Conclusion:
Many cases of sexual violence go unreported. The different settings in which these offenses are committed, e.g., the preponderance of male victims in institutional settings, further imply a need for differentiated protection strategies, addressing both potential victims and potential perpetrators.
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Why the new German study “Sexualized violence against children and adolescents” is pseudoscience and misleading propaganda,
Jun 16 2025
On June 2, 2025, the German Medical Journal (Deutsches Ärzteblatt) published an article entitled “Sexualized violence against children and adolescents. A nationwide, representative survey on prevalence, situational context, and consequences.”
On the same day, leading German media outlets published detailed and largely identical reports on the study's findings. “Sexualized violence” was defined in the survey conducted by the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim as follows:
“Any act of a sexual nature committed against persons under the age of 14 or against the will of a person under the age of 18. This includes any acts with or without physical contact, for example, sexual harassment, sexual coercion, and attempted or completed penetration of the body.”
The survey questioned 3,012 randomly selected people from Germany aged between 18 and 59.
Two key findings of the study are therefore (allegedly):
“Sexualized violence” against children and adolescents is very widespread, and most “perpetrators” are (significantly older) adults.
In this article, I would like to describe and explain why the study is pseudoscientific and flawed.
On June 2, 2025, the German Medical Journal (Deutsches Ärzteblatt) published an article entitled “Sexualized violence against children and adolescents. A nationwide, representative survey on prevalence, situational context, and consequences.”
On the same day, leading German media outlets published detailed and largely identical reports on the study's findings. “Sexualized violence” was defined in the survey conducted by the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim as follows:
“Any act of a sexual nature committed against persons under the age of 14 or against the will of a person under the age of 18. This includes any acts with or without physical contact, for example, sexual harassment, sexual coercion, and attempted or completed penetration of the body.”
The survey questioned 3,012 randomly selected people from Germany aged between 18 and 59.
Two key findings of the study are therefore (allegedly):
“Sexualized violence” against children and adolescents is very widespread, and most “perpetrators” are (significantly older) adults.
In this article, I would like to describe and explain why the study is pseudoscientific and flawed.
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Mr and Mrs Dodo
During 2024 and 2025 Colossal Biosciences claim to have de-extincted dire wolves using genetic engineering and a surrogate mother. They now have plans to de-extinct the dodo using its DNA and a chicken as a surrogate mother. They expect dodo 2.0 to be born in 2028. Beth Shapiro is the Team Leader as well as the Chief Scientific Officer at Colossal Bioscinces. ...
It was in Oxford that the dodo came back into the public consciousness. Rev Charles Dodgson taught mathematics at Christ Church College, Oxford between 1855 and 1881. He had a stammer and introduced himself to people by saying, “Hello, I am Charles Dodododgson” earning him the nickname Mr Dodo. ...
In 1865 he published the book Alice in Wonderland under the pseudonym, Lewis Carroll but really it was a joint effort with Alice; a product of their friendship. ...
Alice Liddell described Charles Dodgson as “the best friend that a child could have”. ...
There are certain other questions in my mind. ...
During 2024 and 2025 Colossal Biosciences claim to have de-extincted dire wolves using genetic engineering and a surrogate mother. They now have plans to de-extinct the dodo using its DNA and a chicken as a surrogate mother. They expect dodo 2.0 to be born in 2028. Beth Shapiro is the Team Leader as well as the Chief Scientific Officer at Colossal Bioscinces. ...
It was in Oxford that the dodo came back into the public consciousness. Rev Charles Dodgson taught mathematics at Christ Church College, Oxford between 1855 and 1881. He had a stammer and introduced himself to people by saying, “Hello, I am Charles Dodododgson” earning him the nickname Mr Dodo. ...
In 1865 he published the book Alice in Wonderland under the pseudonym, Lewis Carroll but really it was a joint effort with Alice; a product of their friendship. ...
Alice Liddell described Charles Dodgson as “the best friend that a child could have”. ...
There are certain other questions in my mind. ...
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Quotes from: Making Sense of the Life Stories of Minor‑Attracted Persons;
Archives of Sexual Behavior;
55(March 2026), 1091–1104
Minor-attracted persons (MAPs) who have not engaged in child sexual abuse are a largely hidden and under-researched population (... ...). The interchangeable use of non-offending MAPs and child sexual offenders in public narratives and media representations frames adult attraction to minors primarily as a criminal justice issue. Consequently, non-offending MAPs face significant stigma and profound invisibility and are frequently depicted as criminals (...).
This study used critical narrative analysis (CNA) (...) to explore how six non-offending MAPs narrate their lives. The participants’ stories revealed the diverse and complex ways they constructed their identities in a society which often presumes they are inherently dangerous.
The findings highlight how participants develop personal narratives in the absence of master narratives available in society and how this shapes the development of sexual identity among non-offending MAPs. These stories also reflect a collective effort to challenge deeply ingrained societal views of MAPs.
Drawing on queer theory as a hermeneutic of suspicion, the analysis examines how the categorization and pathologizing of sexualities produce oppression within participants’ life stories. The CNA approach provided a critical framework for discussing this marginalized group, contributing to a deeper contextual understanding of how the absence of culturally accepted frameworks shapes the development of sexual identity among non-offending MAPs. [...]
The [...] participants’ life stories revealed the difficulties of identity formation in the absence of supportive master narratives, while also demonstrating how personal storytelling can resist marginalization.
Early life experiences, social interactions, and cultural frameworks were central to this process.
The findings underscore the need for mental health professionals to move beyond a narrow risk paradigm when working with MAPs. [... ...]
Greater awareness of MAPs’ well-being and identity construction can equip professionals to provide care that is ethical, supportive, and empowering.
Minor-attracted persons (MAPs) who have not engaged in child sexual abuse are a largely hidden and under-researched population (... ...). The interchangeable use of non-offending MAPs and child sexual offenders in public narratives and media representations frames adult attraction to minors primarily as a criminal justice issue. Consequently, non-offending MAPs face significant stigma and profound invisibility and are frequently depicted as criminals (...).
This study used critical narrative analysis (CNA) (...) to explore how six non-offending MAPs narrate their lives. The participants’ stories revealed the diverse and complex ways they constructed their identities in a society which often presumes they are inherently dangerous.
The findings highlight how participants develop personal narratives in the absence of master narratives available in society and how this shapes the development of sexual identity among non-offending MAPs. These stories also reflect a collective effort to challenge deeply ingrained societal views of MAPs.
Drawing on queer theory as a hermeneutic of suspicion, the analysis examines how the categorization and pathologizing of sexualities produce oppression within participants’ life stories. The CNA approach provided a critical framework for discussing this marginalized group, contributing to a deeper contextual understanding of how the absence of culturally accepted frameworks shapes the development of sexual identity among non-offending MAPs. [...]
The [...] participants’ life stories revealed the difficulties of identity formation in the absence of supportive master narratives, while also demonstrating how personal storytelling can resist marginalization.
Early life experiences, social interactions, and cultural frameworks were central to this process.
The findings underscore the need for mental health professionals to move beyond a narrow risk paradigm when working with MAPs. [... ...]
Greater awareness of MAPs’ well-being and identity construction can equip professionals to provide care that is ethical, supportive, and empowering.
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Absurdities
Ipce received many new items. Some of them reflect the absurdities that take place in Western society if this culture intensively fears any possible expression of children's sexuality, any image picturing nudeness of a child, and any possible intimate contact between any child and any adult.
Ipce has gathered these news items and has made three compilations of them in the Newsletters ... > Links are given.
Ipce received many new items. Some of them reflect the absurdities that take place in Western society if this culture intensively fears any possible expression of children's sexuality, any image picturing nudeness of a child, and any possible intimate contact between any child and any adult.
Ipce has gathered these news items and has made three compilations of them in the Newsletters ... > Links are given.
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Alice in Wonderland: Sexual Upbringing in America;
287 pp
We can't stop our children from finding out about types of sexuality that we don't like. But if we openly and honestly discuss sex with our children, we can help make them responsible and caring in their own sexual choices regardless of what today's world exposes them to.
As I will shortly discuss, we know that infants masturbate and children of all ages explore each other's genitalia. So sex in children is far from dormant.
Let's be honest about preadolescent sexuality.
If we want to reduce exploitation of children, we have to empower children. Young people need to know that they have real choices to make in the area of sexuality. To do that we must develop a pluralistic rather than a dogmatic approach to sex.
Forbidding or ignoring all child sexuality does not give a child control over his or her sexuality. Only when children are given the right to say yes to some forms of sexual exploration will children feel that they have the responsibility to say no to other sexual practices.
We can't stop our children from finding out about types of sexuality that we don't like. But if we openly and honestly discuss sex with our children, we can help make them responsible and caring in their own sexual choices regardless of what today's world exposes them to.
As I will shortly discuss, we know that infants masturbate and children of all ages explore each other's genitalia. So sex in children is far from dormant.
Let's be honest about preadolescent sexuality.
If we want to reduce exploitation of children, we have to empower children. Young people need to know that they have real choices to make in the area of sexuality. To do that we must develop a pluralistic rather than a dogmatic approach to sex.
Forbidding or ignoring all child sexuality does not give a child control over his or her sexuality. Only when children are given the right to say yes to some forms of sexual exploration will children feel that they have the responsibility to say no to other sexual practices.
;
Child sexual abuse - A replication of the meta-analytic examination ...;
The Scientific review of Mental Health Practice ;
4(2, Fall/winter 2005-2006), pp 37-51,
Research conducted during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s consistently reported widely accepted negative outcomes associated with child sexual abuse.
In 1998, Rind, Tromovitch, and Bauserman conducted a meta-analysis challenging the four most often reported correlates of child sexual abuse.
The present study attempted to reexamine the four main objectives of the Rind et al. (1998) study, correcting for methodological and statistical problems identified by Dallam et al. (2001) and Ondersma et al. (2001).
The current meta-analysis supported the findings by Rind et al. (1998) in that child sexual abuse was found to account for 1% of the variance in later psychological outcomes, whereas family environment accounted for 5.9% of the variance.
In addition, the current meta-analysis supported the finding that there was a gender difference in the experience of the child sexual abuse, such that females reported more negative immediate effects, current feelings, and self-reported effects.
The implications of these findings, problems with replicating the Rind et al. (1998) meta-analysis, and future directions are discussed.
Research conducted during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s consistently reported widely accepted negative outcomes associated with child sexual abuse.
In 1998, Rind, Tromovitch, and Bauserman conducted a meta-analysis challenging the four most often reported correlates of child sexual abuse.
The present study attempted to reexamine the four main objectives of the Rind et al. (1998) study, correcting for methodological and statistical problems identified by Dallam et al. (2001) and Ondersma et al. (2001).
The current meta-analysis supported the findings by Rind et al. (1998) in that child sexual abuse was found to account for 1% of the variance in later psychological outcomes, whereas family environment accounted for 5.9% of the variance.
In addition, the current meta-analysis supported the finding that there was a gender difference in the experience of the child sexual abuse, such that females reported more negative immediate effects, current feelings, and self-reported effects.
The implications of these findings, problems with replicating the Rind et al. (1998) meta-analysis, and future directions are discussed.
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Crime Without Victims: A book about paedophilia
Introduced by Copenhagen's eminent sexologist, Dr. Preben Hertoft, this readable volume, translated from the Danish, begins with three essays on what is really known (rather than what "experts" in the media tell us) about sexual relations between adults and minors. Then follow sixteen fresh, spontaneous interviews with people concerned - an attorney specialising in the defense of paedophiles, a Copenhagen judge, adults who have sexual relations with minors, minors who have sexual relations with adults - even one mother of such a boy. Most of the youngsters found their sexually expressed friendships with adults a positive force in their lives and helpful in the discovery of self.
Introduced by Copenhagen's eminent sexologist, Dr. Preben Hertoft, this readable volume, translated from the Danish, begins with three essays on what is really known (rather than what "experts" in the media tell us) about sexual relations between adults and minors. Then follow sixteen fresh, spontaneous interviews with people concerned - an attorney specialising in the defense of paedophiles, a Copenhagen judge, adults who have sexual relations with minors, minors who have sexual relations with adults - even one mother of such a boy. Most of the youngsters found their sexually expressed friendships with adults a positive force in their lives and helpful in the discovery of self.
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The Efficacy Of Severe Child Pornography Sentencing;
Temple Law Review
Empirical Validity Or Political Rhetoric?
[USA's] Congress’s appetite for expanding the scope of child pornography laws and increasing the length of prison sentences for child pornography offenders endures, despite other officials involved in federal sentencing questioning the necessity and proportionality of severe sentences.
Emotions run high concerning issues involving the sexual exploitation of children. Moral panic has led Congress to pursue an ever-expanding federal regime of broadening the scope of child pornography laws and substantially increasing the length of sentences.
Based on an assessment of the empirical evidence, the Congressional stance is best characterized as political rhetoric. Overall, empirical research fails to establish a correlation, much less a causative link, between viewing child pornography and contact offenses against children.
Empirical Validity Or Political Rhetoric?
[USA's] Congress’s appetite for expanding the scope of child pornography laws and increasing the length of prison sentences for child pornography offenders endures, despite other officials involved in federal sentencing questioning the necessity and proportionality of severe sentences.
Emotions run high concerning issues involving the sexual exploitation of children. Moral panic has led Congress to pursue an ever-expanding federal regime of broadening the scope of child pornography laws and substantially increasing the length of sentences.
Based on an assessment of the empirical evidence, the Congressional stance is best characterized as political rhetoric. Overall, empirical research fails to establish a correlation, much less a causative link, between viewing child pornography and contact offenses against children.