Dear Sonofgloin,

<<The compulsion is psychological>>

Not every paedophile has a compulsion. It may simply be just a sexual preference.

<<But overwhelmingly paedophiles are recidivists>>

Those who offended once - but what about the majority who never did, nor would?

<<the ones too young to protect themselves and too naive to accuse an adult>>

Regarding "naivety" and the assumption that children are asexual, I once received sexual advances from a group of 10-year old boys (naturally I told them to stop and took their hands off, they tried again and I had to tell them again to stop). They are not such little angels as you assume.

<<Is it to be kindergarten sex in yor minds brave new world sport?>>

Future generations will view the zeal of governments to eliminate paedophilia as we now view the zeal of the Inquisition to eliminate witches.

It's not about right or wrong, but the concern about paedophiles under the bed and inside the socks is simply over the top, out of any proportion.

As a result of the hysteria around paedophilia, children can no longer have adult friends. Adults (especially males but not exclusively) run away from children, fearing to get in trouble even when they have no sexual thoughts in mind. Many good people refuse to become teachers or scout-masters and those who still do avoid situations when they may be considered suspect, even when it deprives the child of warmth and private support. Also, children are no longer allowed to be left alone outdoors, to play and explore.

I have a little friend, up the street, she was about 3 when she came and asked for a lemon from my tree, now she must be around 5. Today when I passed in my car she was smiling and I waved to her, but then I thought: "Oh No, I may get in trouble for this!"

Compared with the actual damage of paedophilia, the damage of the FEAR of paedophilia is greater and the big losers are... THE CHILDREN!

Houllebeck, I was just wondering how you would identify those paedophiles with 'thoughts only' of pedophilia?

Would they be the ones who access child pornography online or in photos etc, but that never actually sexually abused children?
Aren't those activities also illegal?

Should young children be used on porn films and in photos to provide sexual please for these disgusting creatures, whether they act on it in real life or not?
Of course not!

ALL forms of even the consideration of sex with children should be rigorously prosecuted.
These creatures would be my choice as a cause for the installation of capital punishment laws.

'how you would identify those paedophiles with 'thoughts only' of pedophilia?'

All of them. It's the very definition of pedophilia; the ATTRACTION to prepubescents. It makes me laugh all these posters stating pedophilia is the crime. It's no more a crime than arachnophobia. Underage sex with sexually mature females also ISN'T pedophilia, but is a crime.

'Aren't those activities also illegal?'

As I said, yes, it's illegal, though I don't agree with the law if they didn't buy the pictures, and financially support the abuse. You really don't read properly do you.

'Should young children be used on porn films and in photos to provide sexual please for these disgusting creatures, whether they act on it in real life or not?'

If it doesn't affect the child, as I said, I see it as a victim-less crime. If some pedo takes pictures of my kids naked at the beach and goes home to wack off, what of it. What I don't know cant have any effect on me, and I think this fear of pedos around every corner is absurd.

'ALL forms of even the consideration of sex with children should be rigorously prosecuted.'

Well the internal sexual fantasy world of individuals is not really a problem to me, one persons kink is another's abomination. People are complex.

I don't believe in thought crimes

In order for your so called 'thought crimes' to occur Houlebecke, those sicko's need some sort of visual stimulation at least.

Are you seriously suggesting that pictures of adults having sex with children would not 'affect' the children depicted in the pictures?
Are you sure you read my post properly?

It's people with apathetic views on paedophilia that allow this evil practice to go on...

'Are you seriously suggesting that pictures of adults having sex with children would not 'affect' the children depicted in the pictures?'

Originally, when they are taken, sure it will affect them. But the horse has bolted by the time some other random stranger gets off on them Suze. The third party and any of their activities is unbeknownst to the child. It's not as if it's published in a national newspaper or something. It's distasteful sure, but so is grief-porn, people getting off on watching people on TV crying about the death of loved ones in a bush fire. That's legal, that's also getting entertainment from someone else's tragedy, and that's on national TV.

The only caveat is if they pay for the picture and so are funding the illegal activities.

'It's people with apathetic views on paedophilia that allow this evil practice to go on'

That's a bizarre statement. How does that work in practice? How have the strict laws against child abuse changed by apathy? I don't think there is any apathy in the community about child abuse.

I remind you again pedophilia is not the actual child abuse, it's the sexual attraction to children.

I'm far from apathetic about child abuse.

I'd just prefer we don't lock people up on their potential to commit crime. Many people who fantasize about infidelity would never dream of actually cheating on their spouse. But you assume anyone who is interested in children will definitely act it out.

I suppose the reason for the law is a risk management exercise. Like terrorism, it's the only case where people are arrested before they've actually committed any crime. It's a just in case law.

I'm against the terrorism laws too BTW. Someone could plan to bomb the Harbour bridge, and then back out. They could be doing it as exercise in fantasy too. But they can be arrested and charged and in jail just for daring to think about it.

Who hasn't thought about murdering someone in traffic? What if they're in the car and they verbalized this and someone picked it up, and just for daring to express their anger in this way, in the private confines of their car, they could be arrested and charged as if they had actually killed someone.