Your friend tells you they're a paedophile

[robvalue]

Well, broken quill said she'd ask them if they'd been having thoughts. That's rather different than them just blurting it out unprompted.

I said you believe the person doesn't intend to act on their desires, because you believe they are a good person. I'm not saying they never would, just that you believe they are levelling with you.

The interesting situation is when someone you have already trusted with your kids, and are confident has not harmed them in any way, tells you. Obviously with things as they are, this scenario is even less likely than the OP.