Pa02Sep17c Stop young peds!
Facts and resources for identifying, stopping pedophilia
June 12, 2002
It is a topic that makes our skin crawl. Adults who are attracted to and sexually abuse young children.
The ongoing scandal in the catholic church makes it seem that it's a crime only priests commit.
But in fact, its estimated millions of Americans fit the same profile. While the act is a crime, few people realize pedophilia is a medical disorder.
"Nobody in their right mind, would decide if they have the choice, which they do not, to grow up to be sexually attracted to little children," Dr. Fred Berlin says.
But by some estimates, up to four percent of the population is attracted to children, most are men. They suffer with a psychiatric disorder called pedophilia.
"Society in my judgment, has correctly seen the criminal side of pedophile, we need to protect children we need to protect society," Berlin says. "But we've not paid much attention to the public health side."
Berlin runs one of the largest pedophile treatment programs in the country at Johns Hopkins University, but even he admits little is known about what causes the disorder.
"There are cases in which pedophile appears to be tied to something that goes wrong biologically, other cases we can tie to the fact that a person was sexually abused during childhood, and in other cases well know that pedophilia was there but don't know that caused it," he says.
Like alcoholics or drug addicts, Berlin says pedophiles can't be cured, but many can be helped. Along with strategies to keep pedophiles away from children, treatment often includes therapy, group support sessions, and in some cases medicine. Most pedophiles never get help.
"If I'm a young person growing up and experiencing those desires whether I've been abused or not, I may be afraid to let anybody know that because of the way I'll be scorned and ostracized and with a sense if I want the help I doubt very much it will be available to me," Berlin says.
Breaking that attitude, says Berlin, is the only way to break the cycle of child sexual abuse.
"I understand the hesitancy, but I think that is very unfortunate it's a condition that causes tremendous problems for society, for persons who are afflicted with it, but we are pretty much in the dark because we haven't taken a careful look," he says.
Berlin says even though 90 percent of pedophiles are men, there is no link between homosexuality and pedophilia. he says it is a myth that homosexuality is a risk factor for child sexual abuse.
Experts say along with talking to children in an effort to protect them from being abused, parents need to address the other side, especially with boys.
The sexual interest in much younger children may begin to appear at 11, 12, or 13, so experts say the sixth grade is an appropriate time to talk to children about such sexual feelings.
They say parents should raise the issue that some people may have sexual thoughts about children younger than they are.
They stress that it's important to teach them the dangers of such thoughts in a calm and constructive manner while reassuring them that there are people who can help children who have such thoughts.
Spotting warning signs in children and adolescents can be tricky, but parents can look for a youngster who seems to be interested in sexual activity, uses sexually explicit language, or seems to be approaching other children in a sexual manner.
Experts note that it's a misconception that priests, teachers, boy scout leaders and other adults who work with kids are responsible for most child sexual abuse.
Half of child sexual abusers are the parents of the victims; other relatives commit 18 percent of the offenses
Parents, to learn more about preventing child molestation including tips on how to talk to your child about both sides of this topic, log onto < http://www.stopchildmolestation.org >
For more information about pedophilia and resources for pedophiles, log onto
< http://www.fredberlin.com >
To reach the national institute for the study, treatment and prevention of sexual trauma, contact by mail/phone: Dr. Fred Berlin 104 East Biddle Street Baltimore, MD (410) 539-1661
Related Stop Child Molestation Book Ohio sex-specific therapy providers Six Questions to Ask When Selecting a Sex-Specific Therapist National Institute for the Study, Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Trauma