Stolen Childhood: A Plain-Language Guide to the Science of Pedophilia—and How Societies Protect Children

Introduction: Why This Topic—and Why Now Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a profound betrayal, an extreme violation of the safety and trust that every child deserves. Its consequences are not fleeting; they can ripple through a survivor's life for decades, affecting their education, relationships, career, and both mental and physical health. It is a silent epidemic that thrives in secrecy and misunderstanding. The public conversation about pedophilia, a key driver of some but not all CSA, is often a volatile mix of fear, deeply ingrained myths, and justifiable anger. While these emotions are understandable, they can obscure the path to effective solutions. This book approaches the topic through a public-health lens. Just as we study diseases to prevent their spread, we can study the dynamics of CSA to prevent it from happening. This perspective demands several things: clear definitions to ensure we are all talking about the same thing; a careful separation between sexual interest and criminal behavior, which is crucial for effective prevention; and a firm reliance on evidence-based strategies for prevention and protection. The writing style throughout is deliberately plain and direct. The goal is to make complex scientific and psychological ideas accessible to nonspecialists—parents, teachers, coaches, community leaders, and concerned citizens—without sacrificing scientific accuracy or compassion. We do not reproduce graphic or sensational material. The focus is on understanding, promoting safety, and upholding accountability. Two core principles guide every page of this book: Protecting children is the absolute, non-negotiable priority. Every concept, strategy, and piece of data is presented with this ultimate goal in mind. The well-being and dignity of children are paramount. Prevention works best when the problem is described precisely. We need to be clear about where the science is certain, where it is still learning, and where ethics and law must provide firm guidance. To achieve this, we draw on major, authoritative reference works like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). We also rely on public-health data from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and we synthesize findings from decades of peer-reviewed research in psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry, criminology, and child protection. We distinguish among a person's internal sexual interest, their risk of causing harm, and their criminal actions because this clarity is what supports better policies, smarter safeguards, and more effective interventions. Understanding the problem accurately is the first and most critical step toward solving it.