Seeing more and more articles like this about paedophiles.

I felt deeply uncomfortable about some of the interviews.

The fact that paedophilia appears in the DSM as an illness, for example. Does that mean we may eventually have to give paedophiles the same 'they can't help it' consideration that we give to people with autism or depression?

And the fact that both of the passive paedophiles interviewed were timid, shy and emotionally immature men only makes them seem somehow safer. Which of course they are not.

Very very uncomfortable.

Gay Conversion Therapy does exist, although I believe it is generally not successful?

Someone mentioned brain scans earlier... is it the case that you can 'see' paedophilic tendencies? If so, how do people who believe in a 'woman's right to choose' feel about selective abortion, if it is found that your unborn child has these tendencies?

However, I wonder how treatable it is. We know gay conversion therapy does not exist. To the point where in the UK its considered abuse and illegal.

Well, I assume pedophilia is not itself treatable, if some people are in fact born that way. But morals and principles can be improved on by positive reinforcement. A therapist can also encourage a pedophile to focus on work and hobbies and not talk to people who act like sex is the only thing that makes life enjoyable.
And there's medication that kills your sex drive.

steppemum, yes of course I read the thread, mine was a rhetorical question. Absolutely no need for your patronising . You are extremely rude.

I agree that it is about impulse control primarily. I see it, where 'it' involves someone attracted to children and unable to control this urge, as closer to alcoholism or gambling addiction in terms of cause. Caveat - I know nothing re what the experts say.

Funny that it is primarily men who fetishise children, animals, women, being women, dogging, etc. isn't it? And even more so that it is men who can't control their urges or who think that they haev a 'right' to fulfill them?

No Pencils - I just don't see what a therapist can really do. If a person is about to commit a crime, then the police are the ones to go to. If they want counselling, there are loads of counsellors about - no one's stopping them from going to one. But at the end of the day what a paedophile has to do is not attack children.

I am surprised that anyone could see the BBC as not having an agenda when it comes to child sex offenses.

I'm glad to surprise! What agenda do you think the BBC has?

Pedophillia is by its very nature abusive. Even if a pedophile does not act on his/her impulses, their desires are for sonething that necessitates an abuse of power. The normalisation of pedophellia is the equivalent of the acceptance and normalisation of rape fetishes.

A lot of people see rape fantasies as a perfectly healthy kink though. I was told off on mumsnet for kink shaming a woman role playing son and mother sex fantasies.

So people are happy for paedophiles to access treatment via the police and a compulsory section but not through requesting treatment on a voluntary basis?

By who, and why? I'm not sure the BBC are looking to normalise it. Perhaps looking to open debate and look at things differently as pariah status hasn't worked so far.

Im not sure one way or the other but I am surprised that anyone could see the BBC as not having an agenda when it comes to child sex offenses.

I think the people who want help should be able to get it. I dont see them in the same group as the people who want to normalise it as an attraction and attach it to LGBT.
However, I wonder how treatable it is. We know gay conversion therapy does not exist. To the point where in the UK its considered abuse and illegal.
I also wonder if its preventable to a certain extent. Babies need to imprint on adults not other children, and I'm not sure we know enough about this process.

As Xeno said, browsing, a person who is considered a danger to others can be detained.

I would still argue that the paedophilia isn't really the problem - having thoughts is fine. The problem is when a person feels unable to control their own actions in which case there seems to be something else wrong - personality disorder? schizophrenia?

Interesting article about treatment programme in Germany: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-paedophilia-clinic-university-hospital-treatment-berlin-a7384356.html

Maybe people are unaware that the Police are a first port of call for people experiencing distress from their mental health condition and that the police have powers to detain people under the MHA. I don't think anyone is suggesting that they go straight to prison part from the people who are saying that it shouldn't happen.

How do you propose they have access to the therapy you want them to have if not through MH services?

Pedophillia is by its very nature abusive. Even if a pedophile does not act on his/her impulses, their desires are for sonething that necessitates an abuse of power. The normalisation of pedophellia is the equivalent of the acceptance and normalisation of rape fetishes.

But not the 999 others.

Sparrow; if a peadophile thinks he's about to commit a crime and reports it to the police, then what. He's not committed a crime. Maybe they'd keep him in for a day or two and scratch their heads but ultimately he will be released.

Also we don't know wether therapy works because it's not really done, so we may as well try. It doesn't even need a good success rate, 1/1000 would save a kid.

Well, I don't know Sparrow. There seems to be some belief that they are a special group who shouldn't be detained, even when they come forward to tell people they will harm others.

That's what I was wondering earlier Xeno - generally if you're seen as being a danger to yourself or others you can be detained or monitored. If a paedophile feels that they can't control themselves, will that happen?

But, I thought they wanted to be seen as people with a mental illness they can't prevent? If that's so, then it should be covered under the MHA, and we lock people up under the auspices of the MHA every day in order to protect others.

Suppose a boy of 10 asks a girl of the same age to send him a sexual picture or video of himself. Is that a sexually deviant act or normal curiosity? Should we place him on a register to make sure he doesn't continue to do this into adulthood? Should he get therapy

It shows that sexuality is to some degree socially constructed. There are arguments that sexting is 'normal', when it is in fact a product of our times. I find it problematic because from a very young age girls are taught that pleasing boys is expected and it is my view that boys have power over girls as part of patriarchy from a very young age.

The main issue here to me is to tell boys this is not on, to advise girls against sending anything, to supervise use of electronic devices and to provide a sex education that challenges patriachial sexuality.

MH support in general is pathetic in this country so I can't see there being many funds set aside to help a bunch of people actually stick to the principles of right and wrong that they learned when they were 3.

Hopefully, lock them up, the same way as we do with anyone who poses a threat to others.

Not a lot of incentive to to come forward. If you're going to be locked up anyway you might as well commit the crime.

I think the point is that the police couldn't lock someone up until after they've done something wrong.

Hopefully, lock them up, the same way as we do with anyone who poses a threat to others.