Extracted from DSM VI
(Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th Edition)
Paedophilia
The paraphiliac focus of Paedophilia involves sexual activity with a prepubescent child (generally age 13 years or younger). The individual with Paedophilia must be age 16 years or older and at least 5 years older than the child. For individuals in late adolescence with Paedophilia, no precise age difference is specified, and clinical judgement must be used; both the sexual maturity of the child and the age difference must be taken into account. Individuals with Paedophilia generally report an attraction to children of a particular age range. Some individuals prefer males, others females, and some are aroused by both males and females. Those attracted to females usually prefer 8 to 10-year-olds, whereas those attracted to males usually prefer slightly older children. Paedophilia involving female victims is reported more often than Paedophilia involving male victims. Some individuals with Paedophilia are sexually attracted only to children (Exclusive Type), whereas others are sometimes attracted to adults (Nonexclusive Type). Individuals with Paedophilia who act on their urges with children may limit their activity to undressing the child and looking, exposing themselves, masturbating in the presence of the child, or gentle touching and fondling of the child. Others, however, perform fellatio or cunnilingus on the child or penetrate the child's vagina, mouth, or anus with their fingers, foreign objects, or penis and use varying degrees of force to do so. These activities are commonly explained with excuses or rationalisations that they have "educational value" for the child, that the child derives "sexual pleasure" from them, or that the child was "sexually provocative"—themes that are also common in paedophilic pornography.
Individuals may limit their activities to their own children, stepchildren, or relatives or may victimise children outside their families. Some individuals with Paedophilia threaten the child to prevent disclosure. Others, particularly those who frequently victimise children, develop complicated techniques for obtaining access to children, which may include winning the trust of a child's mother, marrying a woman with an attractive child, trading children with other individuals with Paedophilia, or, in rare instances, taking in foster children from nonindustrialized countries or abducting children from strangers. Except in cases in which the disorder is associated with Sexual Sadism, the person may be attentive to the child's needs in order to gain the child's affection, interest, and loyalty and to prevent the child from reporting the sexual activity. The disorder usually begins in adolescence, although some individuals with Paedophilia report that they did not become aroused by children until middle age. The frequency of paedophilic behaviour often fluctuates with psychosocial stress. The course is usually
chronic, especially in those attracted to males. The recidivism rate for individuals with Paedophilia involving a preference for males is roughly twice that for those who prefer females.
Diagnostic criteria for Paedophilia
A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger).
B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the
child or children in Criteria A.
Note: Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12-or 13-year-old.
Paedophilia
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