…continued from last week
By Suleiman Tajudeen
CITIZENS COMPASS— from prepubescent children.
Grooming behaviour: Building relationships with children for sexual purposes.
Sexual contact: Engaging in sexual contact with children.
Denial or minimization: Downplaying or denying the severity of their actions.
Lack of empathy: Difficulty understanding or caring about the harm caused to children.
Impulsivity: Struggling to control impulses related to pedophilic tendencies.
Anxiety or stress: Experiencing anxiety or stress related to their pedophilic tendencies.
Avoidance behaviours: Avoiding situations that may trigger pedophilic impulses.
Seeking help: Some individuals may seek help or treatment to manage their pedophilic tendencies without any resolution.
Types of pedophilia
Primary pedophilia: Exclusive attraction to prepubescent children.
Secondary pedophilia: Attraction to prepubescent children in addition to other age groups.
Fixated pedophilia: Persistent and intense attraction to prepubescent children.
Regressed pedophilia: Attraction to prepubescent children as a result of stress or other factors.
Sadistic pedophilia: Sexual arousal from the suffering or humiliation of children.
Non-sadistic pedophilia: Sexual attraction to children without a focus on suffering or humiliation.
Hebephilia: MN Attraction to pubescent children (typically 11-14 years old).
Ephebophilia:
Attraction to post-pubescent adolescents (typically 15-19 years old).
Global prevalence
Estimated prevalence: The exact prevalence of pedophilia is difficult to determine due to underreporting in saw traditional Africans.
Global concern:
Child sexual abuse is of significant concern worldwide.Variations , Differences, reporting and documentation practices can affect prevalence rates.
Increased awareness: Growing awareness and recognition of pedophilia have led to increased reporting.
Research challenges: Conducting research on pedophilia poses methodological and ethical challenges.
Prevalence in specific populations: Pedophilia may be more prevalent in certain populations, such as those with a history of trauma.
Global response: International cooperation and efforts are necessary to address child sexual abuse.
Cultural factors: Cultural norms and values can influence the perception and response to pedophilia.
Prevention and intervention: Effective prevention and intervention strategies are crucial to reducing the prevalence of pedophilia.
Continued research: Ongoing research is necessary to better understand and address pedophilia problem in Nigeria and globally.
Major Causes of Pedophilia are
Biological factors: Potential genetic or neurobiological could to pedophilia, also
Environmental factors: Childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect may contribute too.
Social learning: Learning and reinforcement of deviant sexual behaviors.
Psychological factors: Mental health issues, such as personality disorders or anxiety, may contribute to pedophilia.
Socio-cultural factors: Cultural norms and societal attitudes can influence the development and expression of pedophilia.
Brain development: Abnormalities in the development of the brain of the abusers. Indecent dressing by children
Neglect/carelessness by parents of the child concerned.
Poverty and economic factors: Economic instability and poverty may increase vulnerability to child sexual expectation.
Weak law enforcement: Inadequate law enforcement and lack of accountability can contribute to a culture of impunity.
Symptoms of Pedophilia:
Recurring fantasies: Intrusive and persistent thoughts about prepubescent children.
Sexual arousal from prepubescent children.
Grooming behaviour: Building relationships with children for sexual purposes.
Sexual contact: Engaging in sexual contact with children.
Denial or minimization: Downplaying or denying the severity of their actions.
Lack of empathy: Difficulty understanding or caring about the harm caused to children.
Impulsivity: Struggling to control impulses related to pedophilic tendencies.
Anxiety or stress: Experiencing anxiety or stress related to their pedophilic tendencies.
Avoidance behaviors: Avoiding situations that may trigger pedophilic impulses.
Seeking help: Some individuals may seek help or treatment to manage their pedophilic tendencies but without success.
Effects on children:
Physical harm: Physical injury or trauma.
Emotional trauma: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues.
Psychological damage: Difficulty with trust, intimacy, and relationships.
Behavioral problems: Changes in behavior, such as aggression or withdrawal.
Fear and anxiety: Fear of the perpetrator or situations that remind them of the abuse.
Shame and guilt: Feeling responsible for the abuse.
Difficulty with boundaries: Struggling to set or maintain healthy boundaries.
Impact on development: Affecting emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Increased risk of re-victimization: Higher risk of experiencing further abuse or exploitation if children are not well protected.
Long-term consequences: Lasting impact on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being of an individual.
Prevention of pedophilia
Education and Awareness: Educate the public about pedophilia, it’s signs, and consequences.
Child safety programs: Teach children about appropriate boundaries, safety, and healthy relationships.
Parent-child relationships: Foster open and trusting relationships between parents and children.
Screening and Monitoring: Monitor individuals working with children, and conduct thorough background checks.
Community Involvement: Engage communities in prevention efforts and promote collective responsibility.
Healthy relationships: Promote healthy relationships and boundaries in families and communities.
Mental health support: Provide mental health support and resources for individuals struggling with tendencies.
Safe environments: Create safe environments for children to grow and develop.
Reporting suspicious behavior: Encourage reporting of suspicious behavior or concerns about potential abuse.
Collaboration and partnerships: Foster collaboration between organizations, law enforcement, and communities to prevent child sexual abuse among children globally.
Strengthening laws and policies to protect children against any form of sexual molestation or abuse.
Encouraging research and collaboration to better understand the problem of pedophilia in Nigeria.
Management of Pedophilia
Therapy and treatment: Provide therapy and treatment for individuals with pedophilic tendencies.
Risk assessment: Conduct thorough risk assessments to determine the level of risk posed by an individual.
Monitoring and supervision: Monitor and supervise individuals with pedophilic tendencies to prevent harm.
Support groups: Provide support groups for individuals with pedophilic tendencies and their families.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help individuals manage their thoughts and behaviors as regard pedophilia tendency.
Pharmacological Interventions: Consider pharmacological interventions, such as hormone therapy, to reduce libido of the concerned person or the client.
Relapse prevention: Develop relapse prevention plans to help individuals manage their risk of reoffending.
Family support: Provide support and resources for families affected by pedophilia.
Community-Based Programs: Develop community-based programs to support individuals with pedophilic tendencies and prevent reoffending.
Multidisciplinary approach: Use a multidisciplinary approach, involving healthcare professional law enforcement, and social services, to manage pedophilia in our society.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Finkelhor, D. (2008). Childhood victimization: Violence, crime, and abuse in the lives of young people. Oxford University Press.
Hall, R. C., & Hall, R. C. (2007). A profile of pedophilia: Definition, characteristics of offenders, recidivism, treatment outcomes, and forensic issues. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 82(4), 457-471.
Seto, M. C. (2008). Pedophilia and sexual offending against children: Theory, assessment, and intervention. American Psychological Association.
World Health Organization. (2016). INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children.
Dr Suleiman Tajudeen is Director, Clinical Psychology, LUTH (Retired) & CEO/Director of Clinical Psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult, Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos State.
