Stigmatization of people with sexual interest in children among sex therapists in Russia
Abstract
For a long time, little attention was paid to the scientific study of the stigmatization of people with a sexual interest in children. With regard to the prevention of child sexual abuse, which also includes the psychotherapeutic treatment of pedophiles, research into the stigma of pedophilia is an important step. In the present study, 26 prospective Russian sex therapists were asked using a questionnaire about their assumptions about the suggestibility and dangerousness of pedophilia, their emotional reactions to it and their desire for social distance from people with pedophilia. For comparison purposes, these variables were also collected in relation to people who abuse alcohol. It was shown that the participants viewed pedophilia as less suggestible than alcohol abuse, but more dangerous for children and adolescents. Furthermore, they felt less pity and more fear and anger when thinking about people with a sexual interest in children. They also wanted more social distance from these people than from people who abuse alcohol. The results are discussed in the context of further studies on the stigmatization of people with pedophilia.