;
Perversion or personal preference?;
http://www.mcgilldaily.com,
Nov 10 2008
Short essay with short history of 'pedophilia' and 'pederasty' in society and literature.
Especially Mann's Death in Venice and Nabokov’s Lolita are summarized and commented.
Short essay with short history of 'pedophilia' and 'pederasty' in society and literature.
Especially Mann's Death in Venice and Nabokov’s Lolita are summarized and commented.
;
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.
;
The Polygraph Paradox;
The Wall Street Journal,
Mar 22 2008
Article about the use of polygraphy, a method to detect lies during a questioning. Polygraphy has a low reliability, yet it is frequently used, especially by parole officers - and not always by licensed operators. This may lead to incorrect imprisonment of people.
Some of the questioned people say that the polygraph does not correctly measure their acts, but still correctly measures their conscience. Some have said that the prospect of a polygraph test has prevented them from committing crimes or infringing their parole conditions.
Article about the use of polygraphy, a method to detect lies during a questioning. Polygraphy has a low reliability, yet it is frequently used, especially by parole officers - and not always by licensed operators. This may lead to incorrect imprisonment of people.
Some of the questioned people say that the polygraph does not correctly measure their acts, but still correctly measures their conscience. Some have said that the prospect of a polygraph test has prevented them from committing crimes or infringing their parole conditions.
;
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.
Priest In Boston Clergy Scandal Denied New Trial;
,
Nov 27 2009
One of the central figures in Boston's clergy sex abuse scandal [Paul Shanley] lost his bid for a new trial yesterday when a judge ruled a victim's repressed memories were rightly used against the defrocked priest.
One of the central figures in Boston's clergy sex abuse scandal [Paul Shanley] lost his bid for a new trial yesterday when a judge ruled a victim's repressed memories were rightly used against the defrocked priest.
;
Sexual abuse of children: MEPs want to criminalise "grooming" on the Internet
The European Parliament calls for a stop to sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.
The European Parliament calls for a stop to sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.
;
Stopping sexual abuse of Russian kids;
The Japan Times,
Sep 11 2007
One of the regrettable consequences of the uneven economic expansion that Russia has experienced in recent times has been the increase in child abuse, particularly child prostitution.
This has been fueled by the significant influx of foreigners coming to Russia for business transactions. Besides the moral and ethical implications, the impact that sexual exploitation has on children's health and future development demands urgent attention. It is a problem that shows no signs of abating.
Sexual abuse of children can take several forms ... ...
One of the regrettable consequences of the uneven economic expansion that Russia has experienced in recent times has been the increase in child abuse, particularly child prostitution.
This has been fueled by the significant influx of foreigners coming to Russia for business transactions. Besides the moral and ethical implications, the impact that sexual exploitation has on children's health and future development demands urgent attention. It is a problem that shows no signs of abating.
Sexual abuse of children can take several forms ... ...
;
Supporting Boys or Girls When the Line Isn’t Clear;
New York Times,
Dec 02 2006
Until recently, many children who did not conform to gender norms in their clothing or behavior and identified intensely with the opposite sex were steered to psychoanalysis or behavior modification.
But as advocates gain ground for what they call gender-identity rights, evidenced most recently by New York City’s decision to let people alter the sex listed on their birth certificates, a major change is taking place among schools and families. Children as young as 5 who display predispositions to dress like the opposite sex are being supported by a growing number of young parents, educators and mental health professionals.
Until recently, many children who did not conform to gender norms in their clothing or behavior and identified intensely with the opposite sex were steered to psychoanalysis or behavior modification.
But as advocates gain ground for what they call gender-identity rights, evidenced most recently by New York City’s decision to let people alter the sex listed on their birth certificates, a major change is taking place among schools and families. Children as young as 5 who display predispositions to dress like the opposite sex are being supported by a growing number of young parents, educators and mental health professionals.
;
A tribute to Tony Duvert,
Aug 23 2008
The writer Tony Duvert, 63, was discovered dead on Wednesday, August 20, at home, in the small village of Thoré-la-Rochelle (Loir-et-Cher). He had been dead for about a month. An investigation has been started, but he appears to have died of natural causes.
Tony Duvert had a genuine fervor: for nature, central especially to Quand mourut Jonathan (1978, tr. 1991 by D. R. Roberts as When Jonathan died), which recalls the love of a man and a child. This relationship takes on the appearance and the rhythm of a biological association, as if, by dint of understanding and harmony, they both had become plants mutually emitting harmful poisons to each other until they were destroyed and separated by society.
The writer Tony Duvert, 63, was discovered dead on Wednesday, August 20, at home, in the small village of Thoré-la-Rochelle (Loir-et-Cher). He had been dead for about a month. An investigation has been started, but he appears to have died of natural causes.
Tony Duvert had a genuine fervor: for nature, central especially to Quand mourut Jonathan (1978, tr. 1991 by D. R. Roberts as When Jonathan died), which recalls the love of a man and a child. This relationship takes on the appearance and the rhythm of a biological association, as if, by dint of understanding and harmony, they both had become plants mutually emitting harmful poisons to each other until they were destroyed and separated by society.
;
Truth test' to uncover false rape allegations,
Oct 31 2000
A "lie-detector" test to help uncover false allegations of rape is being developed by the police and criminologists.
Between 10 and 41 per cent of allegations of rape are made up by the "victim", according to previous research. In the new test, a claimant's statement is analysed and points are given from a list of set clues - people who have made up a rape allegation get a low score, while genuine complaints get a high score.
A "lie-detector" test to help uncover false allegations of rape is being developed by the police and criminologists.
Between 10 and 41 per cent of allegations of rape are made up by the "victim", according to previous research. In the new test, a claimant's statement is analysed and points are given from a list of set clues - people who have made up a rape allegation get a low score, while genuine complaints get a high score.
;
The 17-year-old Child An Absurdity of the Late 20th Century
No language in the world ever used the term “child” for persons beyond their early teens. No person beyond its early teens is a “child”.
It was the Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 which first did away with the distinction between children and adolescents and labelled all minors under 18 “child” (Art. 1).
The European Commission took this concept over into the criminal law area when it proposed an EU-Framework Decision on Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography in December 2000. This framework-decision obliges all the member states of the European Union to create certain sexual offences which goes far beyond what is known in that area in any European state so far.
The proposal of the Commission defined as “child” every person up to its 18th birthday (Art. 1 lit. a). It did not differentiate in any way between various age groups, i.e. it did not distinguish between children on the one hand and adolescents on the other. The proposal treated a 17-year-old young man in the same way as a 5 year old child.
This implementation of the same criteria for sexual protection and abuse to a five-year-old child and a 17-year-old adolescent leads to absurd and dangerous consequences.
No language in the world ever used the term “child” for persons beyond their early teens. No person beyond its early teens is a “child”.
It was the Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 which first did away with the distinction between children and adolescents and labelled all minors under 18 “child” (Art. 1).
The European Commission took this concept over into the criminal law area when it proposed an EU-Framework Decision on Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography in December 2000. This framework-decision obliges all the member states of the European Union to create certain sexual offences which goes far beyond what is known in that area in any European state so far.
The proposal of the Commission defined as “child” every person up to its 18th birthday (Art. 1 lit. a). It did not differentiate in any way between various age groups, i.e. it did not distinguish between children on the one hand and adolescents on the other. The proposal treated a 17-year-old young man in the same way as a 5 year old child.
This implementation of the same criteria for sexual protection and abuse to a five-year-old child and a 17-year-old adolescent leads to absurd and dangerous consequences.
;
Adult Sex Offencer Recidivism: A Review of Studies
The article:
Sex offenders may reoffend, even after they have been convicted and imprisoned. This conduct is known as recidivism. Research on sex offender recidivism can help the public and policymakers understand the risks posed by convicted sex offenders. This paper summarizes the major research findings related to sex offender recidivism.
Only a few studies on sex offenders have been conducted with scientific precision. Thus, the conclusions that can be drawn from this literature are somewhat limited [...].
According to this classification, offenders who commit the offense of rape of a child are classified as pedophiles. In most studies, and in this paper, the term child molester is used for pedophile. [... ... ...]
While some studies have shown that particular treatment programs are associated with lower recidivism rates in certain types of sex offenders, there is a lack of solid scientific evidence (from controlled experimental studies) that clearly proves treatment programs reduce sex offender recidivism. [...]
Comment by Ipce:
[...] Classifying (a) raping of a child and child molester and (b) pedophile in one category is a great bias. Raping and molesting are criminal acts forbidden by law, but having pedophile feelings and desires without acting in a pedosexual way cannot be, and is not forbidden by any law in any country. [...]
The article:
Sex offenders may reoffend, even after they have been convicted and imprisoned. This conduct is known as recidivism. Research on sex offender recidivism can help the public and policymakers understand the risks posed by convicted sex offenders. This paper summarizes the major research findings related to sex offender recidivism.
Only a few studies on sex offenders have been conducted with scientific precision. Thus, the conclusions that can be drawn from this literature are somewhat limited [...].
According to this classification, offenders who commit the offense of rape of a child are classified as pedophiles. In most studies, and in this paper, the term child molester is used for pedophile. [... ... ...]
While some studies have shown that particular treatment programs are associated with lower recidivism rates in certain types of sex offenders, there is a lack of solid scientific evidence (from controlled experimental studies) that clearly proves treatment programs reduce sex offender recidivism. [...]
Comment by Ipce:
[...] Classifying (a) raping of a child and child molester and (b) pedophile in one category is a great bias. Raping and molesting are criminal acts forbidden by law, but having pedophile feelings and desires without acting in a pedosexual way cannot be, and is not forbidden by any law in any country. [...]
;
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'.
;
APA Guidelines Ignored in Development of Diagnostic Criteria for Pedohebephilia,
Oct 30 2010
This Letter describes how the proposed DSM-5 criteria for pedohebephilia
have been developed without following four key guidelines specified by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and to point out significant flaws that have resulted. It also proposes solutions.
The failures described above have resulted in serious flaws
in the proposed diagnostic criteria - Kramer mentions five flaws.
There are significant ethical consequences of the above
failures.
The APA and the paraphilias subworkgroup have an intellectual
and ethical responsibility to promote valid research and
to counter rather than reinforce false stereotypes.
There are steps they can take to fulfill this responsibility - follow five points.
This Letter describes how the proposed DSM-5 criteria for pedohebephilia
have been developed without following four key guidelines specified by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and to point out significant flaws that have resulted. It also proposes solutions.
The failures described above have resulted in serious flaws
in the proposed diagnostic criteria - Kramer mentions five flaws.
There are significant ethical consequences of the above
failures.
The APA and the paraphilias subworkgroup have an intellectual
and ethical responsibility to promote valid research and
to counter rather than reinforce false stereotypes.
There are steps they can take to fulfill this responsibility - follow five points.
;
Bemerkungen zur strafrechtlichen Behandlung der Pädosexualität
Gewaltlos pädosexuelle Begegnungen und Beziehungen sind, trotz der im letzten Absatz erhobenen kritischen Einwände, nichts Monströses. [...]
Die Pönalisierung verstärkt ferner die Schuldgefühle der Erwachsenen, mit denen sich das Kind identifiziert. Unbestreitbar führt das zu zusätzlichen psychischen Belastungen der Kinder, die eine sexuelle Beziehung mit einem Erwachsenen haben.
* Russian translation added.
Gewaltlos pädosexuelle Begegnungen und Beziehungen sind, trotz der im letzten Absatz erhobenen kritischen Einwände, nichts Monströses. [...]
Die Pönalisierung verstärkt ferner die Schuldgefühle der Erwachsenen, mit denen sich das Kind identifiziert. Unbestreitbar führt das zu zusätzlichen psychischen Belastungen der Kinder, die eine sexuelle Beziehung mit einem Erwachsenen haben.
* Russian translation added.
;
Book Review
Hubert Kennedy wrote a review of:
Sandfort, Theo, Brongersma Edward, & van Naerssen Alex; Review of: Male Intergenerational Intimacy: Historical, Socio-Psychological, and Legal Perspectives; Journal of Homosexuality:
< https://www.ipce.info/library/book/review-male-intergenerational-intimacy >.
Hubert Kennedy wrote a review of:
Sandfort, Theo, Brongersma Edward, & van Naerssen Alex; Review of: Male Intergenerational Intimacy: Historical, Socio-Psychological, and Legal Perspectives; Journal of Homosexuality:
< https://www.ipce.info/library/book/review-male-intergenerational-intimacy >.
;
The boy-lover next door
The author interviews Bill Andriette, the longtime NAMBLA spokesperson -- and past editor of the NAMBLA Bulletin. ...
NAMBLA -- as the only group in America explicitly devoted to the rights of adults sexually attracted to youth -- is a constant target of condemnation. The organization has been under FBI surveillance for years (although it has never been found in violation of any law). Its meetings have been disrupted by death-threat-shouting picketers. ...
In 1994, when Jesse Helms learned that NAMBLA was a member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), which in turn held "consultative status" at the United Nations, he proposed a bill to cut all US funding for the UN unless NAMBLA was expelled ...
When the ILGA controversy erupted, the leaders of virtually every gay and lesbian group in the county, as well as gay politicians such as US Representative Barney Frank, publicly called for NAMBLA's ouster. ...
The group's m.o. has thus been somewhat schizophrenic:
- desperately seeking legitimacy and acceptance, while at the same time
- seeming to do everything it can to preclude attainment of these objectives. ...
But Bill Andriette -- a generation younger than the gay liberationists who founded the organization -- is quietly trying to change that. ... he is willing to retire some of the loonier manifestos ... Bill Andriette is the new face of NAMBLA.
Rather than insisting on the complete abolishment of age-of-consent laws, for example, he focuses on middle-ground positions. ... When Andriette offers these alternatives, NAMBLA's stance seems more palatable: a reality-based approach at reforming an outmoded system of intrusive laws.
The author interviews Bill Andriette, the longtime NAMBLA spokesperson -- and past editor of the NAMBLA Bulletin. ...
NAMBLA -- as the only group in America explicitly devoted to the rights of adults sexually attracted to youth -- is a constant target of condemnation. The organization has been under FBI surveillance for years (although it has never been found in violation of any law). Its meetings have been disrupted by death-threat-shouting picketers. ...
In 1994, when Jesse Helms learned that NAMBLA was a member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), which in turn held "consultative status" at the United Nations, he proposed a bill to cut all US funding for the UN unless NAMBLA was expelled ...
When the ILGA controversy erupted, the leaders of virtually every gay and lesbian group in the county, as well as gay politicians such as US Representative Barney Frank, publicly called for NAMBLA's ouster. ...
The group's m.o. has thus been somewhat schizophrenic:
- desperately seeking legitimacy and acceptance, while at the same time
- seeming to do everything it can to preclude attainment of these objectives. ...
But Bill Andriette -- a generation younger than the gay liberationists who founded the organization -- is quietly trying to change that. ... he is willing to retire some of the loonier manifestos ... Bill Andriette is the new face of NAMBLA.
Rather than insisting on the complete abolishment of age-of-consent laws, for example, he focuses on middle-ground positions. ... When Andriette offers these alternatives, NAMBLA's stance seems more palatable: a reality-based approach at reforming an outmoded system of intrusive laws.
;
Boylove - From BoyWiki (defunct website),
Jun 12 2007
;
Chemical interventions and ethical side-effects: from pedophilia to depression. Where are the ethical boundaries of treating mental illness by neurochemical means?
Increasing biochemical knowledge of sexual functionality and attraction has allowed researchers to tentatively deduce a chemical cause for pedophilia and initiate various biochemical treatments for this condition. The availability of such knowledge, along with the development of new pharmaceutical treatment options, opens up new legal and ethical questions regarding how to chemically treat sexual criminality and how we, as a society, should reflect upon the use of chemicals in the treatment for other forms of deviant behaviour.
[... D]espite the early evidence of effectiveness in treatment, it is unclear how SSRIs work in relation to the treatment of pedophilia. [...]
A further dilemma raised by the chemical treatment of pedophilia is the expectation of a permanent cure for this form of sexuality. Studies have demonstrated that pharmacological interventions do not change the pedophile's basic sexual orientation toward children. [...]
However, caution is required to make sure that we do not find ourselves dis-enhancing or normalising traits that are simply the tail ends of a normal range of personality traits
Increasing biochemical knowledge of sexual functionality and attraction has allowed researchers to tentatively deduce a chemical cause for pedophilia and initiate various biochemical treatments for this condition. The availability of such knowledge, along with the development of new pharmaceutical treatment options, opens up new legal and ethical questions regarding how to chemically treat sexual criminality and how we, as a society, should reflect upon the use of chemicals in the treatment for other forms of deviant behaviour.
[... D]espite the early evidence of effectiveness in treatment, it is unclear how SSRIs work in relation to the treatment of pedophilia. [...]
A further dilemma raised by the chemical treatment of pedophilia is the expectation of a permanent cure for this form of sexuality. Studies have demonstrated that pharmacological interventions do not change the pedophile's basic sexual orientation toward children. [...]
However, caution is required to make sure that we do not find ourselves dis-enhancing or normalising traits that are simply the tail ends of a normal range of personality traits
;
Child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and pedophilia: different names, different problems?
This article discusses the emergence of “sexual violence against children” as a current “social problem” and its breakdown into different modalities such as “child sexual abuse”, “sexual exploitation of children” and “pedophilia”. Although focused on a “problem” whose repercussions and visibility are not limited by national borders, it does not intend to account for all the different levels of this phenomenon. Instead, it aims to contribute to the understanding of one of this problem’s local manifestations, within the Brazilian legal, social and political context. Where relevant, references will be made to the international scene.
[... ... ...]
As we have seen, words are not neutral in this universe of political struggles, in so far they delineate not only differences of meaning, but also different political positions; not only different interpretations but also action strategies. [...]
Words and their meanings are constantly constructed and reinvented within disputes and social shifts at several levels. [...]
I hope that this historical and social analysis of the uses and meanings of the diversified vocabulary regarding “sexual violence against children” will contribute to a more reflective usage of the relevant classificatory categories.
This article discusses the emergence of “sexual violence against children” as a current “social problem” and its breakdown into different modalities such as “child sexual abuse”, “sexual exploitation of children” and “pedophilia”. Although focused on a “problem” whose repercussions and visibility are not limited by national borders, it does not intend to account for all the different levels of this phenomenon. Instead, it aims to contribute to the understanding of one of this problem’s local manifestations, within the Brazilian legal, social and political context. Where relevant, references will be made to the international scene.
[... ... ...]
As we have seen, words are not neutral in this universe of political struggles, in so far they delineate not only differences of meaning, but also different political positions; not only different interpretations but also action strategies. [...]
Words and their meanings are constantly constructed and reinvented within disputes and social shifts at several levels. [...]
I hope that this historical and social analysis of the uses and meanings of the diversified vocabulary regarding “sexual violence against children” will contribute to a more reflective usage of the relevant classificatory categories.
;
The context of a Statement
Last year, the brutal rape and murder of a young boy in Cambridge triggered a wave of indignation which targeted all 'pedophiles.' Supporters of the death penalty in Massachusetts used this case and almost prevailed. There were calls in public meetings to "find and kill all the pedophiles." [...]
Some of those working against the death penalty realized that hysteria about child sex cases had to be dealt with directly. [...[
A discussion group of about twenty people formed [...]. Participants included women who are incest and sex abuse survivors, boy-lovers, anti-censorship and civil liberties activists, feminists, gay and lesbian people, health-care workers, church activists, peace and social justice activists, academics, and those who work with prisoners. [...]
The result is the enclosed statement, "A Call to Safeguard Our Children and Our Liberties"
Last year, the brutal rape and murder of a young boy in Cambridge triggered a wave of indignation which targeted all 'pedophiles.' Supporters of the death penalty in Massachusetts used this case and almost prevailed. There were calls in public meetings to "find and kill all the pedophiles." [...]
Some of those working against the death penalty realized that hysteria about child sex cases had to be dealt with directly. [...[
A discussion group of about twenty people formed [...]. Participants included women who are incest and sex abuse survivors, boy-lovers, anti-censorship and civil liberties activists, feminists, gay and lesbian people, health-care workers, church activists, peace and social justice activists, academics, and those who work with prisoners. [...]
The result is the enclosed statement, "A Call to Safeguard Our Children and Our Liberties"
;
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.