12/08/2025

PCA Journal Fall 2025 - Article 2: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Through Improved Understanding and Treatment of People with Pedophilic Disorder

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Through Improved Understanding and Treatment of People with Pedophilic Disorder

AUTHORS:

Giovanni P. Di Joseph, Dept of Psychology, Northwestern University
Richard Joseph Behun, Dept of Psychology, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT:

Pedophilic disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis given to individuals who exhibit a sexual attraction toward prepubescent children; however, this disorder is often very misunderstood, and many times results in the erroneous labeling of individuals living with this condition as child sexual abusers. This article discusses the diagnostic criteria as well as the understanding, research, and treatment of pedophilic disorder. It also challenges professional counselors to examine the stigma that surrounds this condition and to confront their own implicit biases.

 PCA Journal Fall 2025 - Article 2