I am a social work student who has a great interest in doing research on MAP’s and the coping mechanisms of people who deal with attraction to children who are non-offending. It is particularly interesting to me as there is no research on this topic, yet quite a bit of research on offending pedophiles. There is a great deal of data on how treatment programs range for those situations, but very few, if any, touch on the topic of non-offending. This is curious to me, because even though it is obvious who is committing these acts because of the illegality of it, there is not much referring to any potential ratio of offending-to-non-offending populations. I hope to get an accurate reading of this at some point in my research career.
Are there any resources you all know of that could help me get further clarification? I hope to ask more questions in the future to get a better understanding. I understand that it is difficult to openly discuss these things with anyone as it is a touchy subject in the mainstream. I am happy you all have found support groups where you can remain anonymous while getting the understanding most people can not. Thank you in advance!
It’s great to see academics take an interest in non-offending MAPs/pedophilic individuals.
Though, I’m not personally a MAP, I do consider myself a NOMAP ally, as I always try to reach out and help people struggling with understanding/coping with things about themselves they cannot change.
Of interest is the way sexual preoccupation and simulated pornography consumption factors into the prevention and coping strategies of MAPs. Many researchers believe that consumption of pornography may actually LOWER their chances of committing a sexual offense, providing they are not pre-disposed as dictated by risk assessment profiles, while the research is either mixed or unclear/indeterminate with regard to the preventative strategies they may have on those who are predisposed.
However, research into the matter seems to be leaning more towards neutral/no effect.