If a 14-year-old came to you, let’s say they’re a relative or a friend, and they are super nervous and say they need to talk to you and tell you something… how would you respond? What would your thought be? They’re obviously scared. You say sure. They look at you and briefly make eye contact, and start shaking. You tell them there’s nothing to be afraid of, and you’re there for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They look you in the eyes and say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m a pedophile. I like little kids. I can’t help it and I won’t hurt anyone but I need help. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
What do you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This may seem far-fetched, but it isn’t. According to a research study involving 1,189 men:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On average, participants recalled that they first realized their attraction to children ages 14 and younger at age 14.24 years (SD = 5.36). They began to suspect that this attraction was unusual, compared to peers, at age 16.11 (SD = 5.24). They knew<\/em> their attraction was unusual at age 18.12 (SD = 5.89).<\/p>Bailey, Michael J., Paula A. Bernhard, and Kevin J. Hsu. \u201cAn Internet Study of Men Sexually Attracted to Children: Sexual Attraction Patterns.\u201d Journal of Abnormal Psychology<\/em> 125, no. 7 (2016): 976\u201388. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/abn0000212<\/a>.
<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThis is a very real conversation that many teenagers have, but the reality is, most people with an attraction to children will never tell a soul. Why? Because of hate, stigma, and the automatic assumption that most people make that attraction to children means they will harm a child or have already. Because they have heard stories of people coming out about their attractions, only to be threatened, harassed, kicked out of their home, or worse. Some have been bullied to suicide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allyn Walker’s Comments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Allyn Walker gave an interview<\/a> to Prostasia Foundation<\/a>, a child protection nonprofit. You can watch it here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n