Not every pedophile is a rapist.

[Catholic_Lady]

People who are attracted to kids don't choose to be that way. Whether they are born that way, or whether they developed it due to environmental factors in their early life, or whether it's a little of both, we do not know. We only know that they do not choose to have this attraction. 

They can, however, choose not to *act* on it. Whether that be by looking at child porn, statutory rape, or full on rape, I can imagine it can't be easy to completely suppress such a strong compulsions. I don't think it is something they can do on their own without intensive psychological care, which they should seek. 

People who are attracted to children, and who, instead of acting on it, come forward to seek help instead, should be applauded for doing the difficult yet moral thing. Not shamed for an attraction they have no control over.

I agree with you. I would make one distinction though. When I've read anonymous comments from people who claim to be pedophiles not only do they not seem to have a strong urge to act on their desires but most seem to be the opposite. They're sexually attracted to children but they don't want to have sex with them because they have no desire to violate another human being or to hurt a child.

That to me is a huge distinction that people often mistakenly do not make between rapists and pedophiles. A pedophile is a person who by no choice of their own happens to be sexually attracted to children. A rapist is a person who willing robs a person of their own bodily autonomy because they wish to exert their power. I'm not saying a rapist can never be a pedophile but being a pedophile doesn't make a person a rapist. I would wager that most rapists who rape children are not pedophiles. That's just my opinion based on what I've read in the past. I don't have any evidence and I'm clearly not psychiatrist.

Good point. I'm glad to know despite their sexual attraction to children, most of them have no desire to forcefully do anything with one.

[BrokenQuill92]

Can't we just lock them all away give them a sex toy and some shota or loli hentai? Simple solution.

[Angrboda]

An angle I've just appreciated is of the ones I've encountered at 12 Steppers is, all of them used alcohol to either reduce their inhibitions in committing the offence, and/or, used alcohol (or worse) to make the victim more easily coerced.

D'uh, I suppose, it's obvious, but it just hit me.  And it's not like I've heard anyone ever saying they molested a kid while sober, and then developed a drinking problem as a way of coping with the guilt/remorse.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The primary purpose of this research was to assess the rates of axis I and axis II psychiatric disorders, as defined in DSM-IV, in a group of pedophilic sex offenders.

METHOD:
Forty-five male subjects with pedophilia who were participating in residential or outpatient sex offender treatment programs were recruited to participate. Subjects were interviewed by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.

RESULTS:
Ninety-three percent of the subjects (N = 42) met the criteria for an axis I disorder other than pedophilia. The lifetime prevalence of mood disorder in this group was 67%. Sixty-four percent of the subjects met the criteria for an anxiety disorder, 60% for psychoactive substance use disorder, 53% for another paraphilia diagnosis, and 24% for a sexual dysfunction diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:
Axis I and II comorbidity rates are high in this population. Untreated comorbid psychiatric disorders may play a role in treatment failure and recidivism.

Psychiatric comorbidity in pedophilic sex offenders

[Athene]

I believe the majority of pedophiles will likely act on their urges, if the opportunity presents itself and they're physically capable of doing so. I'd sure like to imagine that many of them lead quiet, unassuming lives, and continually deny themselves the sexual gratification they crave out of their own free will and volition...but, that doesn't seem realistic to me. The sheer amount of child sex abuse that takes place seems to indicate otherwise.

I do understand the difference between a pedophile and a child molester, technically. In my view, however, the difference is more a matter of semantics/legal necessity, than it is a realistic difference that has any practical application. Most people wouldn't dare leave their children in the care of a law-abiding pedophile, who's sworn off diddling kids: Even in the most dire of emergencies. 

There's a reason for that, I believe.

In the real world, people understand just how prevalent childhood sexual abuse actually is. They reasonably conclude that a pedophile is much more likely to be a child molester who hasn't been caught offending, rather than a person with an "uncontrollable urge" to f_ck kids, who happens to be kind enough to never, ever, ever act on it.

[robvalue]

I agree that the word has changed in meaning, to the point where you have to put "non-offending" in front of it to make it clear.

As far as I'm aware, it's a genuine psychological condition that involves attraction to pre-pubescent children, and it can't be helped or "switched off". I have nothing against it, and if one of my friends told me they were one, I'd think no less of them. Nor would I instantly assume they were a danger to anyone.

I think the demonisation of paedophiles and the bastardisation of the word has indeed forced most of them into secrecy. I don't believe this is for the best. I would prefer an honest and open society, where people can get the necessary help and support (from friends as well as professionally) without being ostracised. I think people are more likely to act when they are having to lead a secret life and feel entirely misunderstood. I find the idea that any particular paedophile can't control themselves around children is ridiculous. Statistically, it must be going on all the time. But of course, childrens' safety is very important, and I think having an overlap of several adults supervising them is the best way. This reduces the chances of any kind of harm coming to them, for whatever reason.

[account_inactive]

I'm sorry but I could never accept paedophiles and I sure as hell hope the world doesn't come to that. Sure, some may not act on their urges but they could and they still pose a potential threat to children.

[BrokenQuill92]

I agree with Bella and Thena. There is no honor system when it comes to protecting my family. Hell as far as I'm concerned everyone is a creepy weirdo until proven otherwise (and maybe not even then). Better safe than sorry.

[robvalue]

I'm sorry but I could never accept paedophiles and I sure as hell hope the world doesn't come to that. Sure, some may not act on their urges but they could and they still pose a potential threat to children. If that makes me a "bigot" in the eyes of paedo lovers then so fucking be it.

I don't know what you mean by "accept". What is the alternative? What solution would you propose? Right now, exactly this kind of attitude is keeping them all silent, while being around our children anyway.

Of course, you've no duty to leave your children in the care of anyone. And of course you shouldn't, for anyone you don't completely trust. This isn't a related issue.

[Angrboda]

The term pedophile is commonly used by the public to describe all child sexual abuse offenders.[7][11] This usage is considered problematic by researchers, because many child molesters do not have a strong sexual interest in prepubescent children, and are consequently not pedophiles.[10][11][13][67] There are motives for child sexual abuse that are unrelated to pedophilia,[76] such as stress, marital problems, the unavailability of an adult partner,[98] general anti-social tendencies, high sex drive, or alcohol use.[99] As child sexual abuse is not automatically an indicator that its perpetrator is a pedophile, offenders can be separated into two types: pedophilic and non-pedophilic[100] (or preferential and situational[8]). Estimates for the rate of pedophilia in detected child molesters generally range between 25% and 50%.[101] A 2006 study found that 35% of its sample of child molesters were pedophilic.[102] Pedophilia appears to be less common in incest offenders,[103] especially fathers and step-fathers.[104] According to a U.S. study on 2429 adult male sex offenders who were categorized as "pedophiles", only 7% identified themselves as exclusive; indicating that many or most child sexual abusers may fall into the non-exclusive category.[9]

Some pedophiles do not molest children.[5][6][12][13] Little is known about this population because most studies of pedophilia use criminal or clinical samples, which may not be representative of pedophiles in general.[105] Researcher Michael Seto suggests that pedophiles who commit child sexual abuse do so because of other anti-social traits in addition to their sexual attraction. He states that pedophiles who are "reflective, sensitive to the feelings of others, averse to risk, abstain from alcohol or drug use, and endorse attitudes and beliefs supportive of norms and the laws" may be unlikely to abuse children.[13] A 2015 study found that pedophiles who molested children were neurologically distinct from non-offending pedophiles. The pedophilic molesters had neurological deficits suggestive of disruptions in inhibitory regions of the brain, while non-offending pedophiles had no such deficits.[106]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia

[account_inactive]

I don't know what you mean by "accept". What is the alternative? What solution would you propose? Right now, exactly this kind of attitude is keeping them all silent, while being around our children anyway.

Of course, you've no duty to leave your children in the care of anyone. And of course you shouldn't, for anyone you don't completely trust. This isn't a related issue.

I have absolutely no idea what the alternative is, Rob. It's a complicated issue.