Despite significant advances, understanding of pedophilia is incomplete

Worcester, Mass (CNS) - The scientific understanding of pedophilia is largely incomplete, despite significant advances during the last 30 years, according to Barbara Schwartz, who holds a doctorate in psychology. Schwartz, a Plymouth, MA native, is the author of several books on sex offenders and behaviors. In a telephone interview with The Catholic Free Press, newspaper of the Worcester, MA diocese, she said pedophilia is a mental disorder that causes a person to develop "a measurable sexual preference for prepubescent children."

This distinction separates pedophiles from the more general category of child molesters, that is, those who sexually abuse children for a variety of motives other than actual sexual arousal, she added.

Craig Latham, who also holds a doctorate in psychology believes calling pedophilia a disease implies that those who sexually abuse children are not accountable for their actions.

Pedophilia is not inherited through genes nor is it biologically based, he said. Rather, it is a learned behavior with an addictive quality that escalates in intensity and frequency. Latham, who is in private practice in Natick, MA works primarily with abused adolescents and young adults, some of whom are pedophiles.

Current studies suggest that pedophilia develops at a young age and often is connected to an individual’s own victimization at the hands of another, Schwartz said.

Such victimization may lead to the individual acting out his or her abuse on another, something she called repetition trauma. It also may be socially modeled behavior, that is, behavior that an individual witnesses and imitates, she added.

Though many pedophiles were once victims themselves, "it’s not a one-to-one ratio," said Evan Graber of Holden, MA who has a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Not every child who is sexually assaulted becomes a pedophile and, likewise, not every pedophile was sexually assaulted, said Graber, who is director of outpatient service at You Inc. and works only with juvenile pedophiles.

Exactly what causes pedophilia in those who are not abused themselves is unknown, he added.

Pedophiles at any age do not look any different from "normal" people, Graber said, which makes it difficult to detect their illness until inappropriate behavior is observed or an allegation is made.

They do, however, share some common traits, according to Latham. Most pedophiles are male, he noted. Allegations of pedophilia against women are typically underreported because society tends to see such instances as a rite of passage for young men.

Pedophiles are usually uneasy in social settings and uncomfortable around their peers, he said, adding that they are often introspective and likely to bottle up their emotions.

Schwartz said the distinguishing trait of pedophiles is a strong attraction to children, which is often disguised to appear nonsexual. For this reason, many pedophiles are indistinguishable from members of the general population - including teachers, Boy Scout leaders, social workers and priests who have only a positive, nonsexual interest in children.

Pedophiles’ attraction to children may lead them to pursue jobs such as teaching as a way of having more contact with children, she said. Some, including those attempting to eliminate their inappropriate sexual inclinations, also may develop interest in the priesthood because priests are required to remain celibate.

However, a pedophile’s attempts to ignore his sexual urges by becoming a priest is rarely successful. They try to get away from the issue and find they can’t," Schwartz said.

Despite popular misconceptions, there is no evidence to suggest that denying oneself sex, as priests are required to do, can transform a "normal" person into a pedophile, she added.

Pedophilia is treatable using multifaceted treatments, said Schwartz. These include individual and group counseling, educational classes and behavior treatment. The latter is designed to negatively reinforce a pedophile’s fantasies about children by pairing them with frightening scenes or foul smells in something called aversion therapy.

The treatment also involves examining the cognitive distortions or thinking errors that allow pedophiles to excuse their own bad behavior with children, she said. In some cases, Latham said, prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems, such as mood disorders or Attention Deficit Disorder, that exacerbate an individual’s pedophilic tendencies.

Despite treatment, pedophilia "is not like appendicitis, not something where you treat them and they’re safe to be around children again," Schwartz said.

She compared the disorder to alcoholism or eating disorders: "Any behavior that has brought you relief in the past will remain in the back of your head as an option that may come into your mind."

As a result, she added, pedophiles must recognize and avoid so-called high-risk situations, that is, environments involving contact with children, in the same way alcoholics avoid bars and other places where liquor is common.