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| This page is a preserved archive of [https://archive.li/UB6RP Wikipedia's page titled "Stigma of pedophilia"], which is scheduled for deletion. This is just a copy of the source page as edited at 09:45, 12 May 2023 and may have errors and problems displaying.
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| {{Short description|Form of social stigma.}}[[File:Todos_contra_a_Pedofilia_(4996631189).jpg|thumb|230x230px|Brazilian senator displaying a t-shirt that reads "everyone against pedophilia" in the [[Federal Senate (Brazil)|Federal Senate]] (2010).]]
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| The '''stigma of pedophilia''' is a form of [[social stigma]] or aversion directed toward [[pedophilia|pedophiles]], i.e. people who are sexually attracted to [[Child|prepubescent children]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Harper |first=Craig A. |last2=Lievesley |first2=Rebecca |last3=Blagden |first3=Nicholas J. |last4=Hocken |first4=Kerensa |date=2022-02-01 |title=Humanizing Pedophilia as Stigma Reduction: A Large-Scale Intervention Study |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02057-x |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |language=en |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=945–960 |doi=10.1007/s10508-021-02057-x |issn=1573-2800 |pmc=8888370 |pmid=34716500}}</ref> It takes form in negative emotional reactions ([[disgust]],<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Jahnke |first=Sara |date=2018-05-01 |title=The Stigma of Pedophilia: Clinical and Forensic Implications |url=https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1016-9040/a000325 |journal=[[European Psychologist]] |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=144–153 |doi=10.1027/1016-9040/a000325 |issn=1016-9040}}</ref> [[fear]], loathing, [[hatred]], etc.), punitive beliefs and stereotyping.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal |last=Harper |first=Craig A. |last2=Bartels |first2=Ross M. |last3=Hogue |first3=Todd E. |date=2016-12-14 |title=Reducing Stigma and Punitive Attitudes Toward Pedophiles Through Narrative Humanization |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1079063216681561 |journal=[[Sexual Abuse (journal)|Sexual Abuse]] |language=en |pages=107906321668156 |doi=10.1177/1079063216681561 |issn=1079-0632}}</ref>
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| Anti-pedophile stigma is a worldwide phenomenon.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Heron |first=Rebecca L. |last2=Schwiekert |first2=Lena |last3=Karsten |first3=Julie |date=2023-01-01 |title=Meeting a person with pedophilia: Attitudes towards pedophilia among psychology students: A pilot study |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01384-5 |journal=Current Psychology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=1022–1033 |doi=10.1007/s12144-021-01384-5 |issn=1936-4733}}</ref> Common sentiments toward pedophiles in the general population include those that they should be incarcerated or murdered, even if they have never committed any sexual offense.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Heron |first=Rebecca L. |last2=Schwiekert |first2=Lena |last3=Karsten |first3=Julie |date=2023-01-01 |title=Meeting a person with pedophilia: Attitudes towards pedophilia among psychology students: A pilot study |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01384-5 |journal=Current Psychology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=1022–1033 |doi=10.1007/s12144-021-01384-5 |issn=1936-4733}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=Allyson |last2=Panfil |first2=Vanessa R. |date=2017-03-01 |title=Minor Attraction: A Queer Criminological Issue |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10612-016-9342-7 |journal=[[Critical Criminology (journal)|Critical Criminology]] |language=en |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=37–53 |doi=10.1007/s10612-016-9342-7 |issn=1572-9877}}</ref> Popular beliefs regarding pedophilia include those that pedophiles commonly engage with sexual activities with children,<ref name=":13" /> that having a sexual attraction to children is something that one chooses for oneself<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":5" /> and that people with pedophilia are [[Amorality|amoral]].<ref name=":52">{{Cite journal |last=Jahnke |first=Sara |date=2018-05-01 |title=The Stigma of Pedophilia: Clinical and Forensic Implications |url=https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1016-9040/a000325 |journal=[[European Psychologist]] |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=144–153 |doi=10.1027/1016-9040/a000325 |issn=1016-9040}}</ref> People included under this category are popularly characterized as "evil, "monsters" and "fiends".<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Kohm |first=Steven A. |last2=Greenhill |first2=Pauline |date=2011 |title=Pedophile crime films as popular criminology: A problem of justice? |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1362480610388974 |journal=Theoretical Criminology |language=en |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=195–215 |doi=10.1177/1362480610388974 |issn=1362-4806}}</ref> This type of stigma may also be extended to other minor-related [[Chronophilia|chronophilic]] groups, such as [[Hebephilia|hebephiles]].<ref name=":10" />
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| The effects of anti-pedophile stigma among people sexually attracted to minors include the fear of being outed,<ref name=":2" /> suicidal ideation,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cohen |first=Lisa J. |last2=Wilman-Depena |first2=Sherilyn |last3=Barzilay |first3=Shira |last4=Hawes |first4=Mariah |last5=Yaseen |first5=Zimri |last6=Galynker |first6=Igor |date=2020 |title=Correlates of Chronic Suicidal Ideation Among Community-Based Minor-Attracted Persons |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1079063219825868 |journal=Sexual Abuse |language=en |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=273–300 |doi=10.1177/1079063219825868 |issn=1079-0632}}</ref> self-loahting,<ref name=":15">{{Cite journal |last=Parr |first=Jennifer |last2=Pearson |first2=Dominic |date=2019-11-17 |title=Non-Offending Minor-Attracted Persons: Professional Practitioners’ Views on the Barriers to Seeking and Receiving Their Help |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10538712.2019.1663970 |journal=Journal of Child Sexual Abuse |language=en |volume=28 |issue=8 |pages=945–967 |doi=10.1080/10538712.2019.1663970 |issn=1053-8712}}</ref> [[anxiety]],<ref name=":15" /> stigma-related [[Psychological stress|stress]], suppression of sexual thoughts, reduced wellbeing, the internalization of the stigma and reluctance to receive external help when needed.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal |last=Lievesley |first=Rebecca |last2=Lapworth |first2=Rhia |date=2022 |title=“We Do Exist”: The Experiences of Women Living with a Sexual Interest in Minors |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10508-021-02160-z |journal=[[Archives of Sexual Behavior]] |language=en |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=879–896 |doi=10.1007/s10508-021-02160-z |issn=0004-0002 |pmc=8888496 |pmid=34791582}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Lievesley |first=Rebecca |last2=Harper |first2=Craig A. |last3=Elliott |first3=Helen |date=2020-05-01 |title=The Internalization of Social Stigma Among Minor-Attracted Persons: Implications for Treatment |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-01569-x |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |language=en |volume=49 |issue=4 |pages=1291–1304 |doi=10.1007/s10508-019-01569-x |issn=1573-2800 |pmc=7145785 |pmid=31925747}}</ref> Women who are sexually attracted to minors have reported feeling less social stigma than their male counterparts.<ref name=":10" />
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| Many researchers believe that this form of stigma is detrimental to the prevention of child sexual abuse because it obstructs at-risk pedophiles from coming out to seek mental health care before they potentially commit a sexual offense.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=Allyn |last2=Butters |first2=Robert P. |last3=Nichols |first3=Erin |date=2022 |title="I Would Report It Even If They Have Not Committed Anything": Social Service Students' Attitudes Toward Minor-Attracted People |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33586525/ |journal=Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=52–77 |doi=10.1177/1079063221993480 |issn=1573-286X |pmid=33586525}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Owing to the recognition of the role of this type of stigma in the sexual victimization of children, as well as its implications for [[Clinical psychology|clinical]] and [[Forensic psychology|forensic]] professionals who provide mental health treatment for pedophiles, the prevalence and characteristics of anti-pedophile stigma became a topic of scientific research.<ref name=":5" />
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| == Research ==
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| Up to 2004, very few historical documentations of pedophilia and public sentiments toward to pedophiles have been produced, with [[Philip Jenkins]]'s 1998 [[academic book]] ''Moral Panic: Changing Concepts of the Child Molester in Modern America'' being an exception.<ref name="histoaffect">{{Cite journal |last=Angelides |first=Steven |date=2004-03-23 |title=Historicizing Affect, Psychoanalyzing History: Pedophilia and the Discourse of Child Sexuality |url=https://doi.org/10.1300/J082v46n01_02 |journal=[[Journal of Homosexuality]] |volume=46 |issue=1-2 |pages=79–109 |doi=10.1300/J082v46n01_02 |issn=0091-8369}}</ref> In 2013, a research led by Sara Jahnke identified the stigma of pedophilia as a "blind-spot" of contemporary [[Social stigma|stigma]] research and suggested several potentially relevant consequences of the widespread stigmatization of pedophiles.<ref name=":112">{{Cite journal |last=Harper |first=Craig A. |last2=Bartels |first2=Ross M. |last3=Hogue |first3=Todd E. |date=2016-12-14 |title=Reducing Stigma and Punitive Attitudes Toward Pedophiles Through Narrative Humanization |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1079063216681561 |journal=[[Sexual Abuse (journal)|Sexual Abuse]] |language=en |pages=107906321668156 |doi=10.1177/1079063216681561 |issn=1079-0632}}</ref>
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| Research into the prevalence and characteristics of the social stigmatization of people with pedophilia started growing in the 2010's.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":5" /> The growth of [[Academy|academic]] interest in this topic has been influenced by the recogniton of this form of stigma as detrimental to the prevention of child sexual abuse.<ref name=":53">{{Cite journal |last=Jahnke |first=Sara |date=2018-05-01 |title=The Stigma of Pedophilia: Clinical and Forensic Implications |url=https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1016-9040/a000325 |journal=[[European Psychologist]] |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=144–153 |doi=10.1027/1016-9040/a000325 |issn=1016-9040}}</ref>
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| == Popular beliefs and attitudes ==
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| [[File:Graffiti Poznan Pedofilia.jpg|thumb|195x195px|Anti-pedophile graffiti in Poland, 2011.]]
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| Common stereotypes about people with pedophilia include the beliefs that they are [[Amorality|amoral]],<ref name=":52" /> dangerous or in control of their sexual desires.<ref name=":5" /> People included in this group are also popularly characterized as "evil", "monsters" and "fiends".<ref name=":4" />
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| In a pair of joint studies, 14% and 28% of participants felt that it would be better if people with pedophilia were dead, even if they had never commited a sexual offense.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last=Knack |first=Natasha |last2=Winder |first2=Belinda |last3=Murphy |first3=Lisa |last4=Fedoroff |first4=J. Paul |date=2019-02-17 |title=Primary and secondary prevention of child sexual abuse |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1541872 |journal=International Review of Psychiatry |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=181–194 |doi=10.1080/09540261.2018.1541872 |issn=0954-0261 |pmid=30917709}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In the same surveys, 39% and 48% of participants believed that such people should be preemptively incarcerated.<ref name=":0" /> In a 2018 study, participants considered a specific pedophilic person to be dangerous even after they were explicitly told by the researchers that the person in question has never and would never commit a sexual crime.<ref name=":3" />
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| In a 2004 survey, most participants agreed that pedophiles engaged in a variety of sexual (61% for kissing, 90% for fondling, 76% for having sex with) and nonsexual (70% for spending time with, 76% for talking to) activities with children. In the same study, 58% of participants agreed that pedophiles are evil. In another 2010 study, where participants were asked what came to their minds when they think of a pedophile, 68% mentioned "sexually abusing children" and only 11% of participants said that this might not necessarily be the case.<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |last=Jahnke |first=Sara |last2=Hoyer |first2=Juergen |date=2013 |title=Stigmatization of People With Pedophilia: A Blind Spot in Stigma Research |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19317611.2013.795921 |journal=[[International Journal of Sexual Health]] |language=en |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=169–184 |doi=10.1080/19317611.2013.795921 |issn=1931-7611}}</ref>
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| Aside from the general public, pedophiles themselves can also internalize negative social attitudes against pedophilia.<ref name=":1" /> Anti-pedophile sentiments have also been observed among mental health providers<ref name=":83">{{Cite journal |last=Jahnke |first=Sara |date=2018 |title=Emotions and Cognitions Associated with the Stigma of Non-Offending Pedophilia: A Vignette Experiment |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29159755/ |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |volume=47 |issue=2 |pages=363–373 |doi=10.1007/s10508-017-1073-7 |issn=1573-2800 |pmid=29159755}}</ref> and prison populations.<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=Allyson |last2=Panfil |first2=Vanessa R. |date=2017-03-01 |title=Minor Attraction: A Queer Criminological Issue |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10612-016-9342-7 |journal=[[Critical Criminology (journal)|Critical Criminology]] |language=en |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=37–53 |doi=10.1007/s10612-016-9342-7 |issn=1572-9877}}</ref>
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| == Media coverage of pedophilia ==
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| [[File:Martin Van Maele - La Grande Danse macabre des vifs - 32.jpg|thumb|222x222px|Illustration by [[Martin van Maële]] with subtitles that read: "Oh you old bastard, I will give you some good sweets." 1905.]]Negative attitudes toward pedophiles have been amplified by the popular media.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Stelzmann |first=Daniela |last2=Jahnke |first2=Sara |last3=Kuhle |first3=Laura F. |date=2020 |title=Media Coverage of Pedophilia: Benefits and Risks from Healthcare Practitioners’ Point of View |url=https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/16/5739 |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |language=en |volume=17 |issue=16 |pages=5739 |doi=10.3390/ijerph17165739 |issn=1660-4601 |pmc=7460489 |pmid=32784429}}</ref><ref name=":11" />
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| Several researchers have theorized that dehumanizing stereotypes have been brought up due to the way that the media presents sexual crimes. A 2017 study stated that, "when asked about 'sex offenders', many [people] are inclined to envision the media-proliferated stereotypical image of a violent, predatory male pedophile." Another 2015 research reported that British [[Tabloid journalism|tabloid]] newspapers are particularly prone to using dehumanizing language ("monster", "beast", etc.) to describe sexual abusers, as well as labeling sex offenders as "pedophiles". The study concluded that these actions may be aggravating processes of [[moral disengagement]] against pedophiles among the general public.<ref name=":11" /> A 2004 British study reported that 58% of participants agreed that the media had created a "witch-hunt" against pedophiles.<ref name=":13" />
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| A New Zealand study that analyzed 377 news articles regarding child sexual abuse published by three major newspapers over the course of a year found that those articles featured a very small input from experts of the field of child sexual abuse, with 15% featuring input from [[Health professional|health professionals]] and 3% from academics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Malinen |first=Sanna |last2=Willis |first2=Gwenda M. |last3=Johnston |first3=Lucy |date=2014-07-03 |title=Might informative media reporting of sexual offending influence community members' attitudes towards sex offenders? |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1068316X.2013.793770 |journal=Psychology, Crime & Law |language=en |volume=20 |issue=6 |pages=535–552 |doi=10.1080/1068316X.2013.793770 |issn=1068-316X}}</ref>
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| Despite the existence of stigmatizing mediatic portrayals of pedophilia and child sexual abuse, there are also evidence-based media reports concerning the treatment of pedophilic disorder and child sexual abuse prevention.<ref name=":6" />
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| == Implications for sexual abuse prevention ==
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| Many sexologists and forensic practitioners believe that the stigma of pedophilia might increase the risk of sexual offending against children by, among other effects, damaging the mental health of people who are sexually attracted to minors or discouraging them from seeking mental health care before potentially committing an offense.<ref name=":6" />
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| Pedophiles and other groups of people who are attracted to children are hesitant to seek out mental health services due to fears of being judged by their providers or being reported to the police.<ref name=":7" /> The guilt and shame, as well as the social stigma of pedophilia, can prevent those who are motivated for treatment from voluntarily seeking help.<ref name=":9" />
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| In a 2010 study, 40% of self-identified minor-attracted persons reported having wanted to seek mental health treatment, but 85% did not do so due to fears of being misunderstood.<ref name=":9" /> Another study published in the same year reported that only 5% of its sample of German psychoterapists were willing to provide therapeutical help to pedophiles. In a 2015 survey conducted to mental health professionals, 80% of participants stated that they would not reject pedophile patients, provided that they had never commited a sexual crime.<ref name=":5" />
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| === Mandatory reporting laws ===
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| In most U.S. states, social service providers (such as psychologists and [[Social work|social workers]]) have a [[duty to warn]] authorities that their patients pose an imminent danger to themselves or others. Those professionals are also subjected to a [[Mandatory reporting in the United States|mandatory reporting]] requirements to [[child protective services]] if they believe that a child has been abused. These regulations may lead providers to interpret that they are mandated to report any patient that discloses that they are sexually attracted to children.<ref name=":7" />
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| Mandatory reporting laws also exist in Canada. According to [[James Cantor]], the effect of mandatory reporting policies is that "many people simply don't come [to therapy] in the first place."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hildebrandt |first=Amber |date=2014 |title=Virtuous Pedophiles group gives support therapy cannot |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/virtuous-pedophiles-group-gives-support-therapy-cannot-1.2710160 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/y3y2g |archive-date=2020 |website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref>
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| == Effects among people attracted to minors ==
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| The effects of social stigma among people sexually attracted to children include stigma-related stress, suppression of sexual thoughts, reducted wellbeing, internalization of the stigma, fear of being outed<ref name=":2" /> and reluctance to receive external help when needed.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":1" />
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| A 2011 survey reported that people sexually attracted to children often start feeling intense feelings of stigma from an early age. Among the participants who answered the questions related to suicide, 46% reported seriously considered killing themselves, 32% had planned a method of carrying it out and 13% had attempted it.<ref name="kramer">Kramer, Richard. (2011). "[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365993590_The_DSM_and_the_Stigmatization_of_People_who_Are_Attracted_to_Minors The DSM and the stigmatization of people who are attracted to minors]". Symposium conducted at the meeting of the B4U-ACT, Westminster, MD. </ref>
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| {{Cquote
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| | quote = "I'm a 15-year-old male. (...) I'm only attracted to prepubescent girls. (...) sometimes I feel like killing myself. I know the idea of a psychologist and everything but I can't talk to anyone at this time because my parents would find out and get the wrong idea (...)"
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| | author = anonymous research participant, 2011.<ref name="kramer" />
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| }}
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| Pedohebephile females have reported experiencing less stigma than their male counterparts.<ref name=":10" />
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| == In specific countries ==
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| === United States ===
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| [[File:Wapello sign.jpg|thumb|Anti-sex offender sign in [[Wapello, Iowa|Wapello]], Iowa.|181x181px]]
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| In the U.S., child protection issues gained social prominence during the late 1980's and early 1990's, with the 1987 case of [[Earl Kenneth Shriner]], who raped and mutilated a 6-year-old boy, the [[murder of Jacob Wetterling]] in 1990, the 1993 abduction and [[murder of Polly Klaas]] and the rape and [[murder of Megan Kanka]]. These cases caused a revival of sexual predator laws and civil commitment statutes, the enactment of [[sex offender registries in the United States]], as well as the ratification of pedophile-free zones.<ref name=":14">{{Cite journal |last=Neuilly |first=Melanie-Angela |last2=Zgoba |first2=Kristen |date=2006-09-01 |title=Assessing the Possibility of a Pedophilia Panic and Contagion Effect Between France and the United States |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15564880600626122 |journal=Victims & Offenders |language=en |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=225–254 |doi=10.1080/15564880600626122 |issn=1556-4886}}</ref>
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| == See also ==
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| * [[Anti-pedophile activism]]
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| * [[Child sexual abuse]]
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| * [[Pedophilia]]
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| * [[Chronophilia]]
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| * [[Primary prevention of child sexual abuse]]
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| * [[Social stigma]]
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| == References ==
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| <references />
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| == Further reading ==
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| * [https://time.com/3486493/preventing-child-sex-abuse-stephen-collins/ We Need to Make It Easier for Pedophiles To Seek Help]. [[Time (magazine)|Time]] magazine, 2014.
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| * [https://verdict.justia.com/2016/07/12/lift-stigma-virtuous-pedophiles Should We Lift the Stigma on “Virtuous Pedophiles”?] [[Justia]]'s Verdict, 2016.
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| * [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/virtuous-pedophiles-group-gives-support-therapy-cannot-1.2710160 Virtuous Pedophiles group gives support therapy cannot]. [[CBC News]], 2014.
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| * [https://www.thecollegefix.com/johns-hopkins-u-hires-academic-who-wants-to-destigmatize-pedophilia/ Johns Hopkins U. hires academic who wants to ‘destigmatize’ pedophilia]. [[The College Fix]], 2022.
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| * [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-021-02057-x Humanizing Pedophilia as Stigma Reduction: A Large-Scale Intervention Study]. [[Archives of Sexual Behavior]], 2022. Free article.
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| * [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-019-01569-x The Internalization of Social Stigma Among Minor-Attracted Persons: Implications for Treatment]. [[Archives of Sexual Behavior]], 2020. Free article.
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| * [https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt5hk0vf Moral Panic: Changing Concepts of the Child Molester in Modern America]. [[Yale University Press]], 1998. Paid academic book.
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| {{Pedophilia}}
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| [[Category:Pedophilia]]
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| [[Category:Social stigma]]
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| [[Category:Stereotypes]]
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