Pedophilia - Sexual Crimes Against Children

Pedophilia is a grave crime againts children. Not only does it rob them of their childhood but it seriously negativeley affects these kid's mental health. Find out what pedophilia really is and its related punishments.

Pedophilia is exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent or pubescent children. Pedophiles are persons who have this kind of sexual attraction. Other definitions of pedophiles are persons who have sexual attractions to adolescents under the age of consent, engaged in sexual acts with a child or have sexual attraction or engaged in a relationship with someone younger having an age gap of at least five years.

The Elements of Pedophilia

The following characterizes pedophilia: that the sexual attraction is toward children before or during puberty, that the sexual attraction is exclusively toward children; and that the sexual attraction is present over a period of time. The offenders sexually attracted to children can be categorized as pedophile, surrogate or sadistic.

There are mental and behavioral theories behind pedophilia. It can be a disorder, an orientation or both. There may be past experiences that made the offender believe that having relationships or sexual attraction with younger individuals is just. As an orientation, the offender is trying to identify himself with the subject and finds solace in the identity which is revealed.

Pedophiles Defined

There are various statements included in the criteria in categorizing a person as a pedophile. The offender has or has had a sexual relationship with a twelve or thirteen-year-old. The World Health Organization categorizes adolescence from ten to nineteen years old while other groups define it from thirteen to eighteen years old. Actual sexual relationships are not necessarily present to define a pedophile as thoughts and verbal language can also be considered indicative of the disorder as long as other criteria are met.

The laws states that any person above the age of consent should not engage in sexual activity with a minor. Even if sexual relationships are not prohibited between adults and adolescents, the adult must be well-informed that any sexual acts even with the permission of the adolescent can be defined as harassment or abuse under the court of law. It is strictly illegal for someone above the age of consent to engage in sexual activity or relationships with someone prepubescent or pubescent. Any violation of this law will be counted as rape, corrupting minor or coercion.

Penalties for Pedophilia

Penalty for pedophilia can be through fines or imprisonment. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, the offender can pay from $10,000 to $5,000,000. Imprisonment can be from six months to lifetime. In some countries, the crime can be penalized with capital punishment or death. Physical punishment is also likely depending on severity of the offense.

There are, however, mitigating circumstances that come along with the offense. Victims, offenders and law enforcers are still debating whether pedophilia should be a crime which requires punishment or a disorder which requires treatment.

In some situations, the offender may reduce his crime considering that he was not in his lucid state of mind or was consumed by his sexual urges. This is still a matter which needs to be reviewed but penalties are still accounted for. As long as the individual is sixteen years old or the subject is at least five years younger and the offender acted on the sexual urge, it will be considered violation of the law.

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