Methods of rehabilitating individuals with pedophilia

Human sexuality manifests itself in many ways, such as intimacy between two people that might lead to forming life-long bonds of partnership or marriage. As an expression of the sharing and intimacy that arises out of the bonds of partnership and marriage, children are born. They are socially the most treasured members of society, and their vulnerability, innocence, and clean slate of human experience leading to a curiosity and constant discovery of the world around them and of their selves as feeling, emotional, thinking and participating beings in that world often brings them to the attention of people who would exploit for those same traits. The pedophile, whom often moves amongst us upstanding and even outstanding members of society, lives a life secret urges and compulsions that, when he or she seek to satisfy those urges and compulsions, presents a threat to young children.

Only recently has the behavior of pedophiles become an open and widespread topic of discussion in all levels of society, largely as a result of the media coverage surrounding the Catholic Church whose many cases of priestly pedophilia have resulted in many large claims for damages against the Church dioceses where those crimes were committed. These cases brought to the attention of the American public some important areas of consideration, such as the question of: Can pedophiles be rehabilitated to a degree and level of self-control, or even cure, for the condition that poses a threat to our most vulnerable members of society, our children? To date, just as the causes for pedophilia continue to elude experts, so, too, does the answer as to whether or not pedophiles can be rehabilitated to a level and degree where they can resume roles in society where they pose no risk to children.

The reasons that so little is understood about pedophilia is that is, first, a less than desirable topic of conversation, and one that causes people to fear an unknown predator, and an unknown psychological condition. Second to the fear that people have about the threat posed by pedophiles, is that it has not been diagnosed in the ways that depression or other psychological disorders might be, because the behavior is one that can be secreted by the individual pedophile in ways that prevent the pedophilic compulsions and condition to never be known to others. It is usually because of the discovery of the pedophilic behaviors, as is the case of the priests, brought to light by victims seeking help or remedy through the legal and criminal justice systems. By which time, of course, much damage has been done to the child whose innocence has been abruptly ended by the pedophile, and whose emotional, psychological and physical state remains irrevocably altered by the experience.

However, once in the criminal system, the pedophile, when incarcerated, must be prepared for return to society if, and when, the prescribed criminal penalty for the offense has been met. What are the treatment modalities into which the pedophile is transitioned, and how is that treatment connection maintained upon release? What are the treatment alternatives for the pedophile? What are the success rates of the treatment programs for pedophiles? Each of these questions will be addressed through the research of this dissertation.

This dissertation is divided into four chapters; Chapter I, introducing the research subject, the background, the problem statement, the goals and objectives of the research, the methodology employed in the research, and the limitations on the research. Chapter II is a literature review, presenting the sources from the body of existing research and investigation emanating from the disciplines of psychology, therapeutic intervention, rehabilitative services, and pharmacological treatment support that are available and being utilized in treating pedophiles towards the elimination of the risk that they pose to society.

Methodology is discussed in Chapter III of the study, and provides an analytical examination of the facts arising out of the study. Those facts are sorted and manipulated to yield data comparisons that prove useful in understanding the treatment outcomes that will be discussed in relation to the various treatment modalities and tools.

Chapter IV considers the results and outcomes of the methodology through analysis of the data. The limitations that impact the analysis will be identified and discussed as to how they impacted the analysis of the data.

This study is important to the continued understanding pedophilic behavior, which in turn is important to society in order to help to bring about a safer environment for raising children. The study will touch on some very sensitive areas of discussion, because pedophilia is not a condition embodied in strangers, but can arise in those individuals closest to our children from within the family itself. This closeness to the victim is in and of itself controversial, but must be addressed in order to bring to light the ways in which pedophiles move amongst us in society.

BACKGROUND of the STUDY

Pedophilia has existed since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. During the Hellenistic period in ancient Greece, society was heavily influenced by homosexuality and pederasty (man-to-boy sex). In order to justify this behavior, writers of the Hellenistic period adopted the myth of Ganymede. Ganymede was the beautiful boy given to the bisexual god Zeus to have a homosexual relationship. It appears the Greeks wanted a religious example to justify their homosexual behavior in society, their sexual exploitation of boys and the practice of pederasty (Wright, 2002).

The keyword in considering the more ancient perspective on pederasty is "justify." That the ancient peoples sought to justify those behaviors or urges is the indication that even in those times, society as a whole did not approve of pedophilia. Indeed, there was some social acceptance of a man indoctrinating a young boy into his manhood through an experience with a grown man, but even those events were frowned upon by society at large (Bloch, 2001, p. 183). Certainly ongoing adult man/boy relationships were frowned upon.

In those times, the Greeks and the Romans viewed pedophilia not as a normal practice, but as a necessary one that initiated young boys into citizenship and manhood (Bloch, p. 183). The controversy of pederasty in ancient society is revealed by Plato's discussion of it (Bloch, p. 183). Sex in Greek society was not gendered, and, in fact, it was an act that was perceived on a solitary level (Bloch, p. 183). In other words, the experience was not a partnership experience as much as it was an individual one (Bloch, p. 183). Enid Bloch helps put this concept into perspective by explaining:

The Greeks seemed to have regarded sex as an activity one does by oneself, even though the other person is there to be acted upon. This self-centered notion of male sexuality was especially evident in pederastic relationships. The man fulfilled his desire while the boy was presumed to be feeling nothing at all, certainly not erotic arousal. Indeed, a boy who too obviously enjoyed such passive sex would have seemed perverted (p. 183)."

It was this notion of perversion that became the focus of greater analysis among the ancients over time. For instance, Plato remarked upon pederasty and homosexuality in the Symposium (p. 183), and if Plato's lack of condemnation of the act, or his lack of support of it confuses the scholar looking to gain insight as to the social perception of it as a whole; then the fact that the philosopher cannot commit is in and of itself at least indication that pederasty was controversial, and unresolved as an acceptable social practice in society as a whole. That social evolution took civilized society away from that practice and has to date brought us to a place where pederasty is not socially accepted, suggests that the ancients had a role in the evolution away from that practice as being acceptable.

Bloch supports the notion that the ancient Greeks were in part responsible for bringing about the evolutionary social change with regard to pederasty (p. 183). The position of the man and the boy, Bloch says, was a major consideration in defining whether or not there was shame in the act between the man and the boy. Bloch clarifies, writing:

As the "passive" partner the boy was being used "like a woman," a humiliating experience in itself, and one that could have lifelong consequences. The most shameful thing that could happen to any Greek male was penetration by another male. It was up to the boy to try to prevent this from occurring, to keep his lover within certain limits. Intercourse was acceptable if it took place intracrurally, that is, between the thighs, or in other ways that did not involve actual penetration. It is unlikely, however, that a young boy could control an adult male, and many must have had to submit to whatever the man desired (p. 183)."

Likewise, Bloch says, to penetrate the young boy anally would have jeopardized the boy's future as a member of the "citizen class (p. 183)."

In Athens a male who had been penetrated by another, no matter at how young an age, and had taken money in exchange, even if forced to do so by his father, was no longer entitled to participate in the political institutions of Athens. He was unworthy, because he had in effect become both a woman and a prostitute. If as an adult he nevertheless went ahead and exercised his citizenship by casting his vote or speaking in the assembly, he could be put on trial and lose not only his citizenship but also his life. Such charges may not have been brought very often, but it did sometimes happen,(18) and the very possibility must have preyed on the minds of boys who knew they could later be accused (p. 183)."

So we see that the attachment of shame, social ostracizing, and even prosecution if not as the penetrator, but as the penetrated. Being penetrated by another male was deemed feminine, and women did not have the power of authority in ancient society. The pattern emerges of move in the direction of legal regulation here that can be traced to this ancient setting.

Ariela R. Dubler (2006), writing for the Yale Law Journal, explores the subject of illicit sex and the law (p. 756). While Dubler does not take the reader back in time to the first laws regulating illicit sexual activity, she does put into perspective that legal regulation of sexual practices and behavior arising out of sexual desires, urges and unions is consistent with what society held as being moral vs. immoral (p. 756). That society's perceptions of moral vs. immoral have, obviously, evolved over time and have been regulated and deregulated legally consistent with social acceptance and rejection (p. 756). In the United States, the final decider of what is sexually and socially and legal is the United States Supreme Court. The Court has had its share of work cut out for it since the late 19th century when America's morals began a sort of teeter-tottering effect in its responses to an emerging visible and public perspective on sexual relationships and activity (p. 756).

Most laws governing sexual behavior came about in consideration of the state of marriage and of marital relationships Dubler says (p. 756). Prostitution has long been the impetus behind the regulation of sexual behavior, but out of that grew laws that governed other sexual relationships: between unmarried men and women, as regards the number of wives a man can legally have, as regards the nature of penetration between two consenting individuals, even the gender of individuals engaging in sex. Many people make jokes about archaic laws that say a man cannot have sex with a certain animal, such as a sheep; or that sodomy between two consenting adults is not legal, or that oral sex is prohibited. Much has been devoted to the study of these areas of human relationships, intimacy, contact, and law. With the greater social awareness of individual sexuality and gender identity has followed an increased body of research in all of these areas. They remain areas of legal debate and challenge, and each time that a particular issue is heard before a high state court or the Supreme Court, the resulting decision is both a reflection of social acceptance and contemporary interpretation of law. As concerns women and prostitution and children, the immigration laws enacted in the United States have long been a source of regulating sexual morality and immorality (Bernstein and Schaffner, 2005, p. 168). The reach of immigration laws dating back to the 19th century have addressed the relationship that society allows adults to have with children (Bernstein and Schaffner, p. 168). All of these laws, however, arise out of concern for maintaining and securing the sanctity of the marital union.

Today, there has been a more progressive move towards regulating the relationships that can exist between a child and an adult, because globalization means the melding of cultural societies where morals and values from one nation to the next are vastly different. Thus, there is a need to establish at an international level regulation that protects children from the onslaught of predator behavior that arises from the pedophilic urges that can be met within the international community.

In society today, pedophilia is generally viewed as criminal and pathological.

Consequently different treatments are now available for pedophilic behaviors. Some are more popular than others and more effective. The different treatments include, but are not limited to, physiological treatment, psychoanalytic treatment, and family and behavioral treatment. These treatments work differently on each pedophile (Bennion, 1998). For some, one specific treatment might be better than the other, it just depends on the individual. For others, there is no cure at all.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

In a statistics report by the Counter Pedophilia Investigation Unit (CPIU) it is stated that in 2000 the number of pedophile cases for possession of child pornography had grown to 320 arrests, 299 indictments and 324 convictions; more than twice the number from that of 1992 (Counter Pedophilia Investigation Unit [CPIU], 2002). Clearly, there is reason to believe that this problem is growing. Given these facts, parents have become more alert and concerned regarding their children's safety. Programs to assist those with pedophilic tendencies have been established. Through these programs there exist different treatments depending on each case.

Often times, rehabilitation can only begin upon detection of pedophilic behavior. That behavior is commonly identified through behavior that brings the pedophile to the attention of law enforcement, even before the treatment therapy community. It is, however, difficult at best to take rehabilitative treatment to the pedophile who is moving about in society undetected. For instance, how many people would imagine that the famous author of children's books was in fact a pedophile, and that one of his most famous children's characters a manifestation of his pedophilic lust for a young girl? This author would be Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, whose famous children's character, Alice, of Alice in Wonderland, was the manifestation of his pedophilic desire for the child of one of his friends (Zornado, p. 106). Perhaps even an expression of the fulfillment of his pedophilic behavior, some allege (Zornado, p. 106-107). Even though Dodgson's friends eventually forbade his contact with their young daughter, an official report was never made against Dodgson. Victims of pedophiles often have no voice, because they are underage when the crime is committed against them. Or perhaps, because it is the behavior of the pedophile to act as though the offense is an expression of love, rather than the facilitation illicit behavior and needs (Zornado, p. 108-118).

The inability to detect the pedophile is not just confused by the pedophile's approach as being one of love and affection, but, also, because the pedophile remains obscure by definition by experts. Ron Langevin (1985) says that part of the difficulty rests in sorting out what is individually unusual vs. The conventional (p. 2). This is a valid point, which is reiterated, albeit somewhat differently, by Ron O'Grady (2001). O'Grady says that going into the new millennium, the phrase "child sex tourism," was not found in the social lexicon (p. 123). This was at the same time as globalization as emerging as a hot topic of discussion, and child prostitution was, likewise, emerging as a burgeoning tourist trade in places like Malaysia, Southeast Asia and Germany (Davis, 1993, p. 141). In her book, Making Sense of Prostitution, Joanna Phoenix (2001), never uses the word "pedophile," or discusses "child prostitution." The plight of the child as the product of sex for profit is overlooked by an expert on a book about prostitution. This suggests that the connection made between pedophilia and sexual exploitation of children is often times perhaps not recognized by experts. Like Phoenix, author Joanna Davis (1993), in her book, Prostitution: An International Handbook on Trends, Problems and Policies, does not use the word "pedophile," but does, briefly, address child prostitution as a part of sex tourism (p. 141).

At the present time, there are many ways in which the pedophile can pursue pedophilic behavior without being easily detected. The internet is not just a means by which pedophiles can exchange pornography. It is a means by which they can communicate with one another and exchange information that helps them to pursue pedophilic behavior in a fashion with the least amount of risk in being detected or drawing attention to themselves. It is a means by which they can come together as a community, and to plan goals for themselves in bringing about social changes that will help them in making the fulfillment of their urges become more acceptable to society as a whole. Pedophiles are seeking social acceptance, working to make the image of pedophilia less one that is disturbing to the public, so that, like the gay movement, the public not only becomes accepting of the behavior, but supportive of that behavior.

The North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) is an organization devoted to bringing about changes in perception surrounding the notion of men who have sex with boys (Clatterbaugh, 1997, p. 56). NAMBLA holds that consensual sex between a man and a young boy is as natural as a sexual encounter between two young heterosexual teens (Clatterbaugh, p. 56). Kenneth Clatterbaugh (1997) discusses NAMBLA's efforts in this regard, and how NAMBLA is attempting to ride the train of public support for gays (p. 56).

In 1992 a popular magazine, Changing Men, targeting the gay community, published a first person story describing the consensual sexual encounter between a seventeen-year-old teenager, and a twelve-year-old boy (p. 56). The magazine described it as a "homosexual" encounter, but the article became the subject of controversy when women's groups complained that the article was actually an advertisement for NAMBLA, since an actual advertisement for that organization appeared with the article (p. 56). It is easy to imagine, too, that many people would be upset with the idea of a twelve year engaging in sex with a seventeen-year-old, regardless of whether or not the seventeen-year-old was a young man or a young woman. At twelve years of age, most parents, and many others, believe that the twelve-year-olds' sexual exploration should be one of self-discovery, without engaging in sex with another individual. That the twelve-year-old's encounter was with a seventeen-year-old, also presents a problem in that the five-year difference suggests that the relationship would be dominated or controlled by the seventeen-year-old. That the seventeen-year-old would be exerting a power or control over the twelve-year-old is what would most concern experts.

The controversy was brought to public attention when Nikki Craft countered in the magazine's next publication with a response titled, "So Much Slime: So Little Time (p. 56)." Her response generated yet another response, this one in an article in the following issue by Michael Kimmel entitled: "The Politics of Accountability (p. 56)." In that article, Kimmel charged that the author of the article was entitled to write the account, and that his account of his experience was protected under the First Amendment (p. 56). The controversy put the argument about sexual experiences between two consent adolescents on the forefront of discussion. It did not resolve the question of whether or not the "encounter" was pedophilic, or whether it was homosexual. However, riding the train of public support for gays, NAMBLA hopes to increase its visibility and acceptability with the public. That pedophilia is so poorly defined, will help the organization in moving forward in that endeavor. Keeping in mind that homosexuality was once considered to be a psychological disorder for which treatment was rendered in an attempt to reverse that sexual tendency. This raises the question of whether or not NAMBLA will eventually be successful in its goals.

Another milestone in the favor of the pedophile and NAMBLA was met in 2002, when the United States Supreme Court decided in the case of Ashcroft v. Fee Speech Coalition (Fairchild, 2007, p. 57). The Court found that virtual child pornography was protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution (p. 57). The Court found that in the case of virtual or animated child pornography, there was no damage done to a human being, and, therefore, the depictions, as animation, were artistic in nature and protected as a creative expression (p. 57). That is not to say that the expression is appropriate for all ages to view, but that it was no more harmful to society than adult pornography. Using computer animation, or virtual reality, the images depicted are realistic. The acts that the virtual child is portrayed as participating in, or being victimized in, are graphic and violent in nature. The public reaction to the decision was one of shock, and the states reacted by passing legislation that, at least on the surface, demonstrated a concern and an effort to limit the profiteers' ability to distribute the material (p. 57). However, the end result is that it becomes virtually impossible to prosecute distributors or manufacturers of pedophilic child pornography (p. 57).

The decision is not just a milestone in that it affords the pedophile with access to material that is perhaps as close to reality as possible, but, more importantly, has put the nature of the act between the pedophile and the child into the American mainstream in a way that makes it legal. As it becomes more prevalent, as it becomes more accessible and receives more public attention, the public will inure themselves of the nature of the material largely by disregarding it in much the same manner as adult pornography. That a person who shows no inclination or interest in adult pornography nonetheless buys or rents his or her DVDs from the same store that sells adult pornography, who disregards or ignores that in the interest of convenience in consuming the product they seek, will treat the availability of virtual child pornography in the same way. Although at present the states have enacted laws that prevent the mass marketing of virtual child pornography, those laws are being challenged and will eventually be decided by the Supreme Court on a case by case basis (p. 57). In the interim, the notion of virtual child pornography becomes imbedded in the public sector as material that is not illegal, and pedophiles will avail themselves of that material when the risk to meeting their urges in reality is high, or unavailable to them.

Finally, the problem of identifying the pedophile as an individual with a psychological problem is frustrated by efforts to conceal those behaviors from an unsuspecting public that could be at risk from the pedophilic behavior. Much negative press and media attention has exposed the efforts by the Catholic Church to conceal the behaviors of pedophile priests (Rigali, 1994, 124). As a result, the Catholic Church has, perhaps unfairly, or perhaps not, become the institutional symbol of betrayed trust. That when society should be able to trust these individuals with our children, they have betrayed that trust by taking advantage of our children in the most despicable ways.

The attention focused on the Catholic Church has also served to bring the problem of pedophilia into the open, which means helps individuals suffering from the condition to receive treatment for it. The treatment and rehabilitation of people suffering from the condition is the focus of this dissertation, and the approach to treatment and rehabilitation will be closely examined. The problems that have been identified here will be examined in conjunction with their relationship to the current treatment and rehabilitation currently being offered individuals who are seeking help with the uncontrollable urges of pedophilia. Successful treatment and rehabilitation of pedophilia could be the response not just to the individual problem, but for the greater social problem in responding to an organization like NAMBLA, which seeks to socially normalize pedophilia and to make it an acceptable event in society. If the individual suffering the condition is successfully treated and rehabilitated, it will demonstrate that the condition is in fact not normal, and one that should not be accepted within society as being normal. It will demonstrate the potential harm that the condition represents to children, can be addressed and perhaps preserve the psychological and emotional well being of children who are at risk of falling prey to the pedophile, and perhaps even save lives.

PURPOSE and OBJECTIVES of the STUDY

The main objective of this paper is to examine the different types of treatment available for pedophiles and which type is more suitable for each case. This research will discuss the various levels of treatment for pedophiles. The research will determine the effectiveness of each treatment and the measures taken to rehabilitate the pedophile. The research will demonstrate the relationship between treatment approaches, such as therapy in a group setting, individual counseling, and the role of pharmacology in successful treatment objectives. A comprehensive examination of existing studies and the body of work of criminologists and social scientists will provide a comparative analysis of approaches, ideas, and outcomes to be considered. This research will reveal if pedophilia can be successfully treated and if the pedophile needs medication, therapy (psychological approach or behavioral approach) or if the only solution is castration. Finally, this research will illustrate what makes a pedophile; what the contributing factors of pedophilia are.

RATIONALE of the STUDY

Pedophiliac behavior has been and will always be one of society's most disturbing issues. Pedophilia is not only a public health problem, but also a criminal justice issue. (Edwards, 2004). Helping pedophiles treat their disorder will help reduce future victimization. Simply sending pedophiles to prison will not solve the problem, it will only prolong their acting upon their sexual desire. In prison, pedophiles do not receive the proper treatment they need in order to overcome their sexual tendencies. The proper treatment, if there is any, lies in professional help as mentioned above.

Society often makes the mistake of wanting a quick solution to a problem, like pedophilia. Pedophilic behavior must be treated by implementing a long-term rehabilitative alternatives that which will eventually lower the recidivism rate. If these long-term treatments are not put into practice, pedophiles will be put in jail, released and will continue their pedophilic tendencies.

Erica Beecher-Monas and Edgar Garcia-Rill (2006) discuss the relationship between crime and genetics (p. 301). Since many pedophiles first become identified as being such through the court system and experience their first rehabilitation stint, at least their experience in restrictions on their behavior, through the prison system. This is not necessarily how many clinicians and therapists might prefer to see individuals whose proclivity for sexual contact with children come into treatment, but it brings the attention of the offender to the public system in a way that means they will either receive treatment for their condition, to resolve their sexual urges, or that they will continue to be maintained in the penal system as repeat offenders, or, in the worst case scenario, for causing the death of a child while in the pursuit of satisfying their sexual urges.

Researchers have found that offenses committed against children are usually the result of pedophilic precipitating factors (Seto, Harris, Rice, and Barbaree, 2004, p. 455). Michael C. Seto, Grant T. Harris, Marnie E. Rice, and Howard E. Barbaree (2004) developed a screening scale for pedophilic interests (SSPI) (p. 455). The group then proceeded with a study that demonstrated a predictable rate in recidivism amongst pedophiles who received treatment (p. 455). Since there was a predictability associated with treatment outcomes, the recommendation must be that pedophiles benefit from treatment and rehabilitative services on two levels: one, that there was success in the treatment and rehabilitation of pedophiles measured by those individuals who did not commit sexual offenses post treatment; and that as a result of the predictability of individuals identified as being at risk for relapse or committing sexual offenses in the future can determine the level of intensity of continued treatment and rehabilitation based on the identified precipitating factors.

John McDonald Wilson Bradford (2000) says that there is no certain cause of pedophilia (p. 248). However, Seto, Harris et al., have found that pedophilic interests, resulting in urges to fulfill that interest through contact, can be identified. So whether there is a cause or a precipitating factor in stimuli that initiates the urge upon which the pedophile acts on, treatment and rehabilitation can help to identify the precipitating stimuli through clinical work with individuals identified as sexual offenders or potential sexual offenders. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the researchers cited here that efforts to identify and treat and rehabilitate pedophiles be pursued in order to prevent and to learn more about the stimuli, urges, and the behaviors arising out of the urges. The positive impact treatment and rehabilitation of pedophiles represents to society is obvious, and the data and information that continues to be collected and analyzed through treatment and working with individuals broadens the understanding of this behavior in ways that will enhance treatment and pharmacological tools in the treatment of pedophilia.

HYPOTHESIS

Pedophilia is commonly known as a psychological predicament. Different treatments exist to assist those with pedophilia tendencies for rehabilitation. Psycho-analytically orientated psychotherapy and behavior therapy, biomedical treatment, and surgical treatment are the three main treatment options for successful rehabilitation. Research supports that a combination of biomedical treatment and psychotherapy will prove to be the most effective in long-term rehabilitation of the pedophile.

Chapter II

Literature Review

Using the keywords: pedophilia treatment, pedophilic behavioral intervention, and pedophile offenses yielded thousands of returns through query using electronic library sources. Of those books, journals, magazine articles, and newspaper articles, the most pertinent books and journals were selected for use in this dissertation based on their relevance in support of developing the hypothesis presented here and in conducting the study and the methodology employed here.