Does the distinction matter? Yes, so much that it could be the difference between child abuse and no crime.

People think of pedophiles as being "at risk of committing sexual crimes against children".

But pedophilia is just a risk *factor* for sexual crime (just as heterosexuality is also a risk factor for committing other kinds of sexual crimes).

Not only that but we also know >

> that [...] many [...] of those who commit sexual crimes against children are *not* pedophiles (surprising but true).

To me this means that sexual abuse prevention programmes shpuld be targeted at pedophiles *with multiple risk factors* AS WELL AS others at risk of offending. >

> This is separate from support efforts for those disclosing pedophile attraction only.

Those programmes are not predicated on crime prevention but on supporting people impacted by unfair stigma around presumed criminal intent. If policymakers could see >

> how these things are, and need to be different then there can be hope of a comprehensive and humane solution for situations like the current Menlo Church scandal and others like it. #MAPsAgainstAbuse

About the author: I have been writing and talking about the experience of being a pedophile since 2017. Once on twitter until my account was banned in 2020, I co-led Virtuous Pedophiles from 2021 to 2025. I now continue to look for ways to improve the lives of pedophiles, but never at the expense of harming children. I have never viewed illegal material, and never sought or engaged in sexual activity with any child. The rest of my life is countryside walking, friends, Radio 3 and feeling doleful about ageing.

This thread has been edited to remove a factual claim (that more sexual offenders against children are non-pedophilic than are pedophilic). This claim, which has some support in the evidence base, nonetheless depends on a specific taxonomy of non-pedophiles and pedophiles. Other valid taxonomies could show a different picture.

This content was removed from Twitter in 2020 because the author's account was suspended.

the p word is a collection of 319 articles, blogs, podcasts and threads in the voices of pedophiles and others who oppose adult child sexual contact and sexual exploitation of children. Despite our mainstream views, this content is frequently removed from social media or blog sites because openly discussing pedophile attractions or avowing them are not tolerated. Our side of the conversation continues here.

editor at the p word net | Except where stated, all images are AI and do not depict real people. | Download the whole site.

thread: how does a pedophile not become an abuser?

i didn't figure out i was a pedophile until my 50s

cp viewing and raw prejudice

bly

Pedophiles have different starting points and end with differing beliefs and behaviours. What do we know about why?

ethan edwards

Looking back, it was there from puberty, but I was interpreting it as the fondness many adults feel for children.

ethan edwards

Imagine a man who sees a shocking video of a 4-year-old girl being abused. He went looking for this video in particular, and he finds it terrifically exciting. He is excited by what is happening. How do we make sense of this?

Pedophiles have different starting points and end with differing beliefs and behaviours. What do we know about why?

Looking back, it was there from puberty, but I was interpreting it as the fondness many adults feel for children.

Imagine a man who sees a shocking video of a 4-year-old girl being abused. He went looking for this video in particular, and he finds it terrifically exciting. He is excited by what is happening. How do we make sense of this?