Paedophilia

Paedophilic disorder is characterised by recurring, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviour involving children (usually 13 years old or younger).

• Paedophiles may be attracted to young boys, young girls, or both, and they may be attracted only to children or to children and adults.
• Medical professionals diagnose paedophilia when individuals feel greatly distressed or become less able to function well because of their attraction to children or when they have acted on their urges.
• Treatment involves long-term psychotherapy and drugs that alter the sex drive and reduce testosterone levels.

Paedophilia is a form of paraphilia. Because it causes harm to others, it is considered a disorder.

Whether sexual interest or involvement between two individuals is considered a paedophilic disorder depends on the age of the individuals involved.

In Western societies, a diagnosis of a paedophilic disorder requires that the individual be 16 years old or older and at least 5 years older than the child who is the object of the sexual fantasies or activity.

However, sexual involvement of an older adolescent (aged 17 to 18) with a 12- or 13-year-old may not be considered a disorder.

The age criteria used to identify when such activity is considered a crime may differ.

Although state laws vary in the United States, the law generally considers an individual older than 18 to be committing statutory rape if the victim is 16 or younger.

Statutory rape cases often do not meet the definition of paedophilia, highlighting the somewhat arbitrary nature of selecting a specific age cutoff point in a medical or legal definition.

In many places (including in some states in the United States), children as young as 12 to 14 can legally marry, further complicating the definition of paedophilia and statutory rape.

Paedophilia is much more common among men than among women.

Paedophiles may be attracted to young boys, young girls, or both. Whether girls or boys are more likely to be the victims of paedophiles is unclear, although girls seem much more likely to be the victims of sexual abuse in general.

Usually, the adult is known to the child and may be a family member, stepparent, or an individual with authority (such as a teacher or coach). Some are attracted only to children within their own family (incest). Some paedophiles are attracted only to children, often of a specific age range or developmental stage. Others are attracted to both children and adults.

Looking or general touching seems more common than touching the genitals or having sexual intercourse.

Predatory paedophiles may use force or coercion to engage children sexually and may threaten to harm the child or the child’s pets if the child tells anyone. Many of these paedophiles have antisocial personality disorder.

Many paedophiles have or develop substance abuse or dependence and depression. They often come from dysfunctional families, and marital conflict is common. Many have been sexually abused as children.