Paedophilia
WHAT IS PAEDOPHILIA?
Paedophilia is a psychiatric condition or disorder whereby an individual is sexually attracted and aroused by a prepubescent child (a child who has not reached puberty).
Although, in general terms in society, someone who engages in any form of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 years is also referred to as a paedophile.
DOES A PAEDOPHILE FIT A STEREOTYPE?
Not at all. Anyone can be a paedophile. There is no description or an expectation of how they would look or act like.
We tell our children not to talk to strangers in person or online. Strangers are like the big bad wolf. From a young age children get the idea that a stranger is someone bad, scary and they may hurt you. However, sometimes someone you both know can be a paedophile. It could be anybody.
Please don’t let us scare you. The aim of this write up isn’t so that you suspect any person near a park, school or your child.
HOW CAN YOU TRY TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM A PAEDOPHILE?
There are no 100% guaranteed ways to protect your child but you can reduce the probability of someone hurting your child by a great deal just by doing a few basic actions.
Be aware of who is around your child – It is important to know who is in the vicinity of your child. You can do this by just being aware and vigilant. Of course do not scare or panic your child and distrust everyone by being paranoid. Just be aware.
- Educate yourself about paedophilia and what it is.
- If your child is staying at a friend’s house make sure you know the parents and if there are any other adults in the house.
- Know who enters your house and if you do not know them well they must keep a healthy distance from your child.
- When new individuals enter your life, take your time bringing them into your home and around your children. It should be a long time before they can be left alone with your children, if at all.
- As much as you can be aware of who your child is hanging around with, who is giving them a lift and who they are in contact with.
- Be aware of adults that hang around children’s parks and schools. However, do not be paranoid they could just be another parent.
- Try not to leave your child alone in parks and other public places for long periods of time. Be with them, hang with them, and play with them so that others don’t think your child is on their own and your child is not seeking attention elsewhere,
- As soon as your child is capable of knowing the correct names of their private areas, please tell them. A paedophile can sometimes use sweet child like names for these areas of the body, enticing and at the same time confusing the child and making them vulnerable to sexual abuse.
- Explain to your child that if at any time they feel uncomfortable, scared or awkward with someone then they must inform you. They must also get up and leave if they are with that person.
- If your child is telling you they don’t want to go with someone, or go to someone’s home, or someone come to your home, then please take note why your child is saying this. Please don’t dismiss it as your child being unreasonable – there could be another reason.
- Make it a rule that whenever anybody gives your child a gift, they are to inform you immediately before accepting it. They must tell the person giving the gift that they cannot accept the gift until their mummy or daddy agrees first. If your child tells you they have been offered a gift, gently ask your child if the person who gave them the gift asked for a gift in return. Stay calm and composed as you ask and hear the answer. Gently and softly probe further if your child’s answer is ‘yes’.
- Listen to your child and do not dismiss whatever they say. Be open so they feel they can tell you things and you will take them seriously. Be your child’s friend. Be your child’s confidant.
- Be aware and notice if all of a sudden your child is acting differently, they are withdrawn or scared and sad. Ask them if they are okay and what is bothering them. Ask them if someone has upset them.
- Keep an eye on what your child is doing and who they are talking to on the internet and on social media..
- Keep home computers in an area where you can keep an eye on what your child is doing on the internet.
- Take your child’s phone away from them at night so they cannot talk or communicate with anyone at night.
WHAT IS THE SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER?
The sex offenders register is a register that lists all the individuals that have been convicted and cautioned of a sex offence against a child or an adult since 1977. It is not a register for only paedophiles but for all different forms of sexual offences.
This register does not include the name of any individual convicted or cautioned before 1977.’
The sex offenders register was set up because of the sex offenders act 1977. This act was superseded by the sexual offenders act 2003.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS ACT 1997
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS ACT 2003
The length of time a sex offender’s name will stay on the register will depend upon the crime and the conviction:
- Under the sexual offenders act 2003, if a person under 18 years is cautioned for an offence their name will stay on the sex offenders register for 1 year.
- Under the sexual offenders act 2003, if a person over 18 years is cautioned for an offence their name will stay on the sex offenders register for 2 years.
- Under the sexual offenders act 2003, if a person has been convicted and sentenced up to 6 months in jail for sexual offence then their name will stay on the sexual offenders register for 7 years.
- Under the sexual offenders act 2003, if a person has been convicted and sentenced between 6 – 30 months in jail for a sexual offence then their name will stay on the sexual offenders register for 10 years.
- Under the sexual offenders act 2003, if a person has been convicted and sentenced to over 30 months or life in jail for a sexual offence then their name will stay on the sexual offenders register indefinitely.
- Under the sexual offenders act 2003, if a person has been jailed and admitted to hospital under a restriction order for a sexual offence then their name will stay on the sexual offenders register indefinitely.
The police can do the following to protect the public from registered sex offenders:
- They can electronically tag a sex offender who they feel is a danger to the public.
- They can make an application to the court for a sex offenders court order which is a civil order preventing the sex offender entering a certain area. For example an area where children play.
- The police have a national database where they can share information between different forces.
- The police can take photographs of sex offenders when they register an share this information with other poice forces around the country.
WHAT IS SARAH’S LAW?
Sarah’s law was passed in 2011 and concerns the child sex offender disclosure scheme. Under this scheme, you (the parent, carer, or guardian) can ask the police for information on people who have contact with your children regarding convictions for sexual offences against children. The police can refuse your request. Sarah’s law is named after Sarah Payne, an eight year old girl who was abducted and murdered in 2000 when she was visiting her grandparents. You can call 101, visit a police station, or make an online application.
LINK TO MAKING AN APPLICATION UNDER SARAH’S LAW
WHO CAN YOU REPORT PAEDOPHILE BEHAVIOUR TO?
There are many ways you can report paedophile behaviour:
1. You can contact the police – You can dial 999 if a child is at immediate risk or your child has been abused in any way by a paedophile. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
2. You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
3. You can contact your local authority child services – You can contact your local authority child services and report abuse.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE TO A LOCAL COUNCIL
WHO CAN A PARENT CONTACT FOR HELP AND SUPPORT ABOUT PAEDOPHILIA?
You can contact NSPCC – You can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns about paedophilia.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns about paedophilia.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has encountered a paedophile or has any concerns about paedophilia and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.