Have you been unable to talk about your sexual attraction towards children and/or early adolescents? Has your attraction made you feel ashamed? We are here to help.
The feeling of being sexually attracted towards children is called “pedophilia”. Research estimates that up to one per cent of the adult male population have sexual fantasies with children and might have pedophilia (females with pedophilia exist but in fewer numbers). For India, that would mean that 7 million people feel sexually attracted to children.
There are also people who feel sexually attracted towards early adolescents who have just entered puberty. This attraction is called “hebephilia”. Currently, the cause(s) for these kinds of attraction is unclear but what we do know is that for many people it is difficult to find a safe way to deal with their attraction.
People with a sexual attraction towards children and/or early adolescents usually realize their attraction because of their sexual fantasies about children and/or early adolescents. When one realizes their fantasies for the very first time, feelings of insecurity, stress, anxiety and shame are common. Some may fear that they might harm children and/or early adolescents because of their attraction.They might act on their fantasies or watch sexualized images of children (known as “child pornography”).
However, there are also individuals with pedophilia who are aware of their attraction but they have control over their behaviour and are confident that they will never engage in any sexual activity with children and/or early adolescents.
The following signs can indicate a sexual attraction towards children and/or early adolescents:
We offer on-site treatment for people with a sexual attraction towards children who have not acted out. The treatment is currently available in two cities; Pune (KEM Hospital Research Centre) and Mumbai (individual therapists). It is completely confidential and free of cost.
The goal of the therapy is to overcome problems in dealing with one’s sexual preference. Especially noteworthy is the ability to control one’s behavior in such a way that sexual offences against children are entirely avoided.
Some components of the therapy include:
“Don’t Offend India” is an initiative to provide treatment to people with a sexual attraction towards children and/or early-adolescents.
Using evidence based techniques, individuals with a sexual attraction towards children and/or early adolescents receive treatment to improve their quality of life while also enrooting active…
The Program for Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence (PPPSV) is a collaborative initiative of various institutions and professionals. Funded and initiated by Bayer India, PPPSV aims to prevent sexual violence against children and women in India.
It has two arms: One, “Don`t Offend India”, which…
Troubled Desire is a self-help tool for people who feel sexually attracted towards children and/or early adolescents. It is anonymous and free of cost.
Currently available in India in English and Marathi, the website seeks to alleviate the distress experienced by people with a sexual attraction towards children and/or early adolescents by providing a sexual preference assessment…