Pedophiles

I am writing this letter with the intention to advocate for more health services to individuals who identify as pedophiles. For years pedophiles have been discriminated against because of their sexual interest. Individuals who identify as pedophiles are often associated with sex offenders even though pedophilia is a mental disorder and does not mean they committed a crime. Individuals who molest children are not always identified as a pedophile. According to the DSMV in order to be diagnosed as pedophile the urges must be recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving activity with a prepubescent child or children. These feelings or urges must present for 6 months. The misconception of pedophilia makes these individuals feel that they cannot talk to anyone about their urges because of the fear of losing their employment or being criticized by peers and family. Providing health services for pedophiles will help them

According to Holt, Blevins, and Burkert (2010), pedophiles will use the Internet to cope. Using the Internet allows these individuals to talk with other pedophiles “without fear of shame or stigma” ( Holt, J., Blevins, Burkert 2010). Often these individuals will use the internet to create “supportive communities where individuals feel they are part of a group” ( Holt, J., Blevins, Burkert 2010). Although using the Internet as a coping method may seem to be a good idea, there are also negative aspects to this idea. Pedophiles with have the urge to develop relationships with children over the Internet. Using the Internet as a coping method leaves room for pedophiles to “facilitate criminal behavior” such as child pornography. Essentially having more health services for pedophiles would help eliminate these criminal behaviors that could be easy for these individuals to fall