Disclaimer: like most pedophiles, I have never approached a child with anything sexual or otherwise inapporpriate, and I don’t plan ever to do so. I recognize the harm in such actions, and I don’t want to hurt the very people I love. If you expect AMA with a child molester, this ain’t it.
The account is a throwaway, hope you’ll understand this decision given the sensitivity of the topic.
Edit: Thank you for keeping civil and genuine in your questions. I did envision hostility, yet here you are, amazing as always. Lemmy is a wonderful place to be, thanks to you all!
Edit 2: Apparently we have another brave pedophile here in the comments, and he came with a good note I should include in the post: if you find yourself attracted to minors, that’s okay. Acting on your desires is dangerous, but having them isn’t. If you’d like to have some support and/or community that would help you get your bearings or just listen without any prejudice (we’re all in the same boat), there are places that can help you. Visit VirPed (18+) or MAP Support Club (13+; scroll down for details), or refer to other resources through the MAP Resources website.
I’m currently not seeing a therapist even though I’d like to - it’s nearly impossible to find a competent specialist in my area, and it’s getting harder as time goes on.
Therapy available online is completely unaffordable, with some specialist charging upwards to $200 for a session. That’s, like, half my monthly income (I live in not-so-rich country).
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The two issues are poorly linked, and experience of other pedophiles and generally minor-attracted people is very often strongly negative.
Unfortunately, a lot of therapists, even LGBTQ+ friendly ones (no strangers to non-traditional attractions, huh?) are completely unequipped to deal with the issue and can make it much worse.
That situation sounds extremely challenging. I can just imagine my own frustration if I went to a LGBTQ+ specialist with this only to be told they cant help me, or worse.
I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you! It means a lot.
That being said, I had one free session with a competent specialist once. Unfortunately, I cannot afford their help, but this one session was already very transformative, as it was the first time I was accepted, face to face, by someone who is not attracted to minors themselves. Got me through a lot of emotions then.
I hope we’ll have more of it, and I strongly believe a more understanding culture would be beneficial for everyone - including children who’ll be more safe.