9 years ago
11
Germany urges paedophiles out of the shadows
Some men who are sexually attracted to children would like help to change their condition but fear doctors will tell the police. In Germany, though, a campaign is under way to persuade them to sign up for confidential treatment, even if they have abused a child - and doctors are hailing it as a big success. Max is a science graduate, in his early thirties. Articulate, with a ready smile and an infectious laugh. He could be your neighbour, your work colleague or your sister's new boyfriend.
Continue Reading
http://www.bbc.com
Additional Contributions:
-
+5Submitted 9 years ago by fanficmistress
-
+3Submitted 9 years ago by frohawk
Join the Discussion
As great of news as this is, I'll be "that guy" and point out how disgusting it is how the article frames only men as pedophiles, and I can't tell if it's just the article or if the program also only focuses on males. If so, it's a one step forward, two steps back situation.
Blasphemy! A woman could never sexually abuse a child, what about her motherly tendencies /s
The problem is that such a program cannot succeed. The public won't tolerate a single failure, and 100% effectiveness isn't possible with psychological disorders. We can't cure depression at 100% effectiveness, but people who are still depressed don't molest kids. Unless you're putting pedophiles in an inpatient program under guard, it's a certainty that a kid will be molested by a patient and that program will be blamed.
But there's no harm in trying, right? I agree that the program will work on some people but not all, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't even be attempted. Some child molestation might happen in spite of the program but many will likely have been stopped successfully.
There's always going to be a negative stigma towards paedophiles...I'm not sure if the risks are worth the benefit
There is a negative stigma towards all mental illnesses which makes people afraid to get treatment. This is a problem we have to face as a society because it makes things worse for everyone.
This is a bit of a bold statement. Yes, there is a negative stigma here and there for mental illnesses, but this is in no way comparable to the obvious stigma that would be put on someone who comes out as saying they want to have sex with children - and quite rightly. This stigma, is different as with the former, people might just not understand or might have a general concern of how they will act, with the latter they have a specific concern which is pretty fair to have.
Anyway, I DEFINITELY think a paedophile should be able to go to the doctor/therapist for help and not fear them telling the police. The fact they are trying to get help is a great thing. There may be a question where said individual is living with a child, but even so - you can't arrest someone if they haven't committed a crime (yet), giving them therapy and helping them get beyond their feelings is obviously in the public interest.
Plus, they can be observed to learn more about pedophilia and how it comes about and possibly how to prevent it in the future. No crazy experiments that involve mistreatment of course.
True. I think that mental diseases should be treated in the same way physical diseases are, therapy is seen as embarrassing and this really shouldn't be the case. I've been affected personally by this phenomena. My father refuses to allow my brother (who has been diagnosed with asperger's syndrome) to see a psychologist ever. Not even every once in a while. He still insists my brother is normal which is just infuriating to me. I just hope that others will not see it this way and allow treatments for mental illnesses such as this.
Hell, people that have manic depression and might be suicidal are considered weak by some for not being able to just "tough it out". People are always scared and cruel toward things they don't understand.
Can you explain the risks? I can definitely understand hesitance in such a program like this- it triggered my gut reaction first- but even if their are failures, it can't be worse than letting people brush this stuff under the rug.