For years pedophiles have been discriminated against because of their sexual interest. Many of them are ashamed and are left to struggle alone with their urges. The lack of health services provided for pedophiles is a social issue that draws great concern to me and I personally believe more services should be advocated for these individuals. Those who identify as pedophiles are often associated with sex offenders even though pedophilia is a mental disorder, not a crime. Moreover, these individuals who identifies as pedophiles are not criminals until they choose to act on their urges. According to the DSMV, in order to be diagnosed as a pedophile the urges must be recurrent, must have intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving activity with a prepubescent child or children. These feelings or urges must present for 6 months. The misconception of pedophilia makes these individuals feel that they cannot talk to anyone about their urges because of the fear of losing their employment or being criticized by peers and family. Providing health services for pedophiles will help them to control their sexual urges and also help aid as a prevention strategy towards child sexual abuse. Due to the lack of services that is provided for pedophiles, these individuals resort to other methods to help cope with …show more content…
These services must be long term in order for this treatment to be effective. Cognitive-behavioral treatments reduces “pedophilic sex drive, to increase age-appropriate sexual behavior, and to strengthen inhibition of pedophilic behavior”. Group therapy allows for “beneficial confrontation of denial and self-deception” (Hall & Hall 2007). Therapeutic confrontation helps the individual to realize the consequences behind their actions. The therapy also provides emotional support and helps to develop a social support