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Pedophilia - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Pedophilia : (noun)
1: sexual activity of an adult with a child [syn: paedophilia]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Pedophilia : Pedophilia: Adult sexual fondness and activity with children. Pedophilia is a form of paraphilia (deviant sexual behavior), If acted out, it is legally defined as sexual child abuse.
Pedophilia includes fondling a child's genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism, and commercial exploitation of children through prostitution or the production of pornographic
materials. Pedophiles who have sexually abused children require intense psychological and pharmacological therapy prior to release into the community, because of the high rate of repeat offenders.
Treatment is rarely effective, because the disorder is not yet well understood. The incidence of pedophilia has been markedly underestimated. It is essential that pedophilia be reported so that
appropriate steps can be taken to protect the children at issue and all other children.. Parents should make sure that their child's day care center or preschool is licensed and has an open door policy
regarding parental visitation.
Pedophilia is a form of sexual child abuse. Child abuse comprises four basic types of mistreatment: child neglect, physical abuse of a child, emotional abuse of a child, and sexual abuse of a child.
Sexual abuse is the least frequently reported form of child abuse (6% of all cases). Experts believe that sexual abuse may be the most underreported type of child maltreatment because of the
secrecy, the "conspiracy of silence" that so often surrounds these cases.
Sexual abuse includes fondling a child's genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism, and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.
The diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sexual child abuse are complex. Several points might be made here:
The diagnosis of sexual child abuse involves a thorough nonjudgmental history of the immediate events as well as a review of potential similar experiences often independently done by a physician,
social worker, and the police department. A complete physical exam of the child which may include the taking of photographs to document sexual abuse is necessarily followed by x- rays and possible
laboratory tests.
Pedophiles (people who have sexually abused children) often require intense psychological and pharmacological therapy prior to release into the community, because of the high rate of repeat
offenders.
Children's school programs regarding "good touch...bad touch" can provide parents and other caregivers with a forum in which to role- play and learn to avoid potentially harmful scenarios.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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