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by DanBC 4716 days ago
Paedophiles are often socially isolated; hated by society. They only speak to other offenders.

This means that they can start to have thoughts about offending behaviour which are reinforced by other offenders.

If paedophiles had access to non-sex-offenders to talk to they'd get early nudges about how unacceptable their thoughts are, and guidance about avoiding those thoughts and behaviours.

I'm not sure how the "friendship circles" worked out. Maybe they were hopeless? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/3873083.stm)
3 comments
anonymoushn 4716 days ago
Saying that paedophiles often only speak to other offenders suggests that paedophilia is a crime. It could be better to make a distinction between people of certain sexual orientation and people who commit certain crimes, unless you believe that these two groups of people intersect completely.

I have not encountered any evidence that a certain treatment or social surrounds can change a person's sexual orientation, so avoiding unacceptable thoughts may be impossible for these people. Avoiding unacceptable behaviors is certainly achievable, though.

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motters 4716 days ago
That might be an unrealistic psychological profile. Jimmy Saville and Stuart Hall had abundant access to the views of non-sex-offenders. Both those figures could hardly be described as being isolated from society during the time when they were committing their crimes.

It seems to me that the types of people involved in those activities are well integrated into society, but abuse their positions of trust.

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johnchristopher 4716 days ago
> Paedophiles are often socially isolated; hated by society. They only speak to other offenders. > > This means that they can start to have thoughts about offending behaviour which are reinforced by other offenders.

Hum. No. Moreover they can't be socially isolated and in contact with other offenders at the same time.

Are you refering to the UK scandal from months ago where it was found out that an unusual number of pedophiles were actual member of "protect-the-children" state-sponsored association ?

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