3 Origins

There have been varying degrees of pedophile activism since the 1970s. In the 1970s, most activity was in Western Europe, primarily in the NetherlandsDutch redirects here. For other uses, see Dutch (disambiguation). The Netherlands ( Dutch: Nederland is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a constitutional monarchy. It is located in northwestern Europe and borders the North Sea, Belgium. Here, a number of researchers, among them Frits Bernard, Theo Sandfort, Edward BrongersmaEdward Brongersma ( August 31, 1911 April 22, 1998) was for a number of years a member of the Dutch Eerste Kamer ("First Chamber" or Senate), and chairman of the Eerste Kamer's Judiciary Committee (1969-77). He was a well-known advocate of pedophilia, and and Frans Gieles wrote a significant number of papers on the topic, both from a theoretical and a practical standpoint. A number of papers were produced discussing the effects of adult-child sexual interactions, using data from pedophiles as well as from adults and young people who had been involved in relationships with adults as children or adolescents.

In the late 1970s, the center of activity shifted to the United StatesThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in and BritainThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a state in Western Europe, usually known simply as the United Kingdom the UK Britain or less accurately as Great Britain . The UK was formed by a series of Acts of Union which united the formerly with the 1977For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). Events January 1 First woman Episcopal priest ordained January 6 EMI sacks the Sex Pistols January 18 Scientists identify a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious " legionnaire's disease" Januar formation of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) in LondonLondon is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England, and with over seven million inhabitants in the Greater London area, is the second-most populous conurbation in Europe (after Moscow). From being Londinium the capital of the Roman province of Bri and the 1978Events January January 1 The Copyright Act of 1976 takes effect, making sweeping changes to United States copyright law. January 1 Air India's Boeing 747 explodes near Bombay 213 dead. January 4 Referendum in Chile supports policies of Augusto Pinochet. formation of the North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) in Boston. Both of these groups achieved relative notoriety in the early 1980s due to a public outcry against them. The PIE capitulated to public pressure and disbanded in 1985. NAMBLA still exists today, but was dealt a major blow when a man convicted of the rape and murder of Jeffrey Curley in 1997 was accused of having ties to the group.

In the 1980s, a number of other "childlove advocacy" groups were created. The most significant of these were MARTIJN in the Netherlands in 1982 and the Danish Pedophile Association in 1985. This was followed by the formation of IPCE, an umbrella organization and repository for pedophilia-related research, in the early 1990s. Of these groups, both MARTIJN and IPCE are still functioning, while the DPA decided to disband in early 2004.

The 1990s saw activity shift once again, to Montreal, Canada. It also saw the formation of online communities of childlovers. The Ganymede Collective was formed in Montreal in 1995 as a forum for "boylovers" to meet in the real world. Out of this group emerged the first online communities, some of which eventually coalesced under the umbrella of Free Spirits.

4 Objectives of the movement

While there is a wide range of views amongst childlovers about the objectives of the movement, most agree on at least some of the following objectives:

• Change public perception of pedophiles
• Assert a difference between "childlove" and child sexual abuse
• Push for the decriminalization of child pornography possession
• Push for the abolition or revision of age of consent legislation
• Increase awareness of medical evidence of sexual activity in young children
• Support movements and organizations that push for increased children's rights

Those who advocate the legalization of sexual contacts with children claim that the inequality in the relationship is not by necessity a negative thing. In Pedophilia: The Radical Case, Tom O'Carroll writes: "The disparity in size and power between parent and child creates a potential for abuse. But, on the basis that parent-child relationships are generally positive we accept that inequality is simply in the nature of the thing. I would like to see paedophilic relationships looked at in a similar light." [5]

Some pedophiles also say that sex is not the raison d'etre of childlove relationships. Edward Brongersma, in Boy-Lovers and Their Influence on Boys, where he reports the result of interviews with participants in adult-child relationships writes "Within a relationship, sex is usually only a secondary element." [6]. Loving relationships between adults and children are considered desirable - it is only when the affairs become sexual that the relationships are considered criminal.

While society argues that children are unable to consent to sexual relationships, Ben Spiecker and Jan Steutel , in a paper entitled Paedophilia, Sexual Desire and Perversity write that consent is possible, even in older pre-pubescent children. "Surely, one can raise the criteria of being able to deliberate and to choose, as a consequence of which each prepubescent child misses the relevant capacities and all forms of paedophile sex become a moral lapse. However, then the problem arises that also many normal adults do not meet these criteria, while we still are not inclined to regard sex with such adults as morally reprehensible. However, if we try to avoid this problem by formulating more moderate criteria, then we have to admit that, in particular, older prepubescent children normally have the relevant capacities." [7] However, minors, especially of prepubescent years, are not permitted to make legal contracts, buy potentially harmful substances or consent to medical procedures. They are considered the responsibility of their parents.

Furthermore, pedophiles claim that sexual contacts with adults need not be harmful for children. They cite the widely criticized 1998 meta-analysis Rind et al. and other works to support their claim. In one such study, Intergenerational Sexual Contact: A Continuum Model of Participants and Experiences, Joan Nelson writes "Clinical populations reveal nondamaging intergenerational sex. De Young (1982) reports that 20% of her 'victims' appeared to be 'virtually indifferent to their molestation!' Instead, they tended to be traumatized by the reaction of adults to its discovery." [8].

They want to change the public perception that sex with children must lead to vaginal sex or anal sex, emphasizing that they do not support any physical harm to any of the participants. To this end, they do not normally advocate penetrative sex with very young children. In a 1981 pamphlet entitled Pedophilia, the Dutch Protestant Foundation for Responsible Family Development writes "especially in the case of young children, sexual activity seldom includes any kind of sexual penetration. Children are not yet physically big enough for this." [9]

Many pedophiles argue that children are innately sexual from their infancy. They point to the research of several researchers, including Alfred Kinsey, Floyd Martinson, Alayne Yates and William Masters, that show evidence of sexual response, masturbation and sex play with others in young children. They argue, therefore, that since children are sexual and that some seek sex play, they should be able to consent to sexual activity with any other partner, regardless of age. Thus many pedophiles argue against age of consent legislation. Alfred Kinsey is a controversial figure, however, and many leading psychologists of his day, such as Abraham Maslow, were highly critical of his methodology. Children, however, just like adults, show inclinations to to many things that are in fact harmful to them - such as consuming vast quantities of sugar to playing with knives and fire.

Many pedophiles are also opposed to the current state of sexual education in many countries. They argue that enforced ignorance and abstinence only forces those young people who wish to explore their sexuality to do so in secret, making them more susceptible to unsafe environments and coercive relationships. John Coleman of the Trust for the Study of Adolescence says "In societies in which there's more sex education, more openness, there's a far lower rate of teenage pregnancy. Parents always fear that talking about childhood sexuality will lead to children experimenting earlier. But all the evidence shows that the more you talk to young people about sex, the more sensible they are." [10] A 2001 study by Bearman and Brueckner entitled Promising the Future: Virginity Pledges and the Transition to First Intercourse suggests that adolescents taking virginity pledges are more likely to engage in unsafe sex than those who do not.

This view does not take into consideration the research that shows that in the early stages of a child's development they are unable to make informed and clear decisions. Many pyschologists view teaching young children about sex as being damaging to children, and it is only later in life that they are mature enough to handle these concepts.

Ephebophiles are also largely opposed to consent legislation. They argue that in former times, puberty was considered to be the threshold of adulthood in many societies and that it is a natural indication that the body is sexually mature. They say that ages of consent are legal definitions that are both arbitrary and discriminatory. Instead of a set age of consent, they argue that each individual who wishes to engage in sexual activity should make such decisions. This view ignores the question of whether a person is mature enough to fully appreciate the consequences of their action, a view which is common in other areas regarding consent of minors.

5 Ethics

Rejection of pedophilia is ingrained in most of the world's cultures, especially in western ones. Despite this societal rejection, many pedophiles claim to understand children's sexuality, and have proposed an ethical framework that could allow acceptance of their desire for sexual interaction with children.

In a 1998 newspaper interview, Dutch psychiatrist Gerald Roelofs suggested the following five guidelines for relationships between adults and children:

• There should be no coercion
• The child should be free to stop at any moment
• Sexuality should be compatible with the psychosexual development of the child
• The parents should know about the [sexual aspect of] the relationship
• The child should be able to openly discuss the relationship without fear of disapproval

About the same time, Frans Gieles, in conjunction with the JORis workgroup of the Dutch Association for Sexual Reform (NVSH) proposed the following four guidelines:

• Self-Determination: Children must always have it in his or her own power to regulate their own sexuality, their relationships with others and their own lives.
• Initiative: Even in a later stage of the relationship, it is always the children who make the choice to have sex.
• Freedom: At any moment within the relationship with an adult, children must have the freedom to withdraw from the relationship.
• Openness: The child should not have to carry unreasonable secrets. [11]

More recently, subsequent discussions about these guidelines have produced a synthesis of these earlier proposals. The following four guidelines have now been officially adopted by the Dutch advocacy group MARTIJN and form the basis of the ethos of the Human Face of Pedophilia:

• Consent of both child and adult.
• Openness towards the parents of the child.
• Freedom for the child to withdraw from the relationship at any moment.
• Harmony with the child's development. [12], [13]

Most of the people involved in these efforts realize that such ethical guidelines can only work in jurisdictions where adult-child sex is not illegal and therefore do not address the ethical issues of having an illegal relationship with a minor. Instead, illegal activity is discouraged, such as in the Boylove Code of Ethics [14] which states that the pedophiles should "do everything possible to protect his young friend from any harm, including exposure or embarrassment from arrest", even if this means refraining from consensual activity considered illegal in their jurisdiction. MARTIJN's statement is unequivocal: "MARTIJN Association advises everyone to observe the law." [15]

While members of the Childlove movement claim that, within an ethical framework, these relationships can be mutually beneficial, society is unconvinced and regards all child-sexual activity as unethical and criminal.

Objections to the ethical framework are that a child is not mature enough to be able to have the freedom to withdraw from an abusive relationship and can be very easily coerced into maintaining this relationship with a pedophile. In most western countries, the consent of parents and ongoing communication with them is not a consideration when prosecuting child abusers. Also, many child psychologists would not agree that a child's relationship with a pedophile is in harmony with that child's normal development.

6 Activities

The primary activity of the movement is support for pedophiles. They attempt to provide support to others who would otherwise be reluctant to discuss their attractions for fear of being ostracized. To this end, some organizations provide online counselling and suicide prevention services.

The Dutch organization MARTIJN, as well as publishing OK magazine and providing support for pedophiles is also involved in overt activism, distributing flyers and pamphlets at public gatherings and gay pride marches.

More radical elements have chosen to "out" themselves publicly, as is the case with the group Krumme 13 (en: Crooked 13) [16] that counsels convicted pedophiles to continue their activities once released, and The Human Face of Pedophilia.

Robin Sharpe, a Canadian pedophile, successfully challenged some aspects of child pornography laws in the Canadian Supreme Court in 2002, arguing that his fictional writings were not illegal because they had artistic merit.

7 Symbols

A blue spiral-shaped triangle symbol, or "BLogo" was designed by an individual using the online nickname "Kalos" in conjunction with Free Spirits.

A similar logo, a heart within a heart, or "GLogo" was later developed by some pedophiles attracted to girls to symbolize a "bond of love"[17] between adults and girls.

The "lblogo", a variation of the BLogo, is posted on the freespirits.org site[18]. Its creators say that "it distinguishes itself by appearing like a young boy's scrawl, giving it an enhanced 'little boy' flavor. Its rounded, soft shape and lack of hard corners and steep angles, is symbolic of the little boys we love."

Another logo, the CLogo, was proposed by the CLogo team in the Netherlands as a logo that could be used to represent the aspirations of child lovers. Pedophiles have mixed opinions on this logo. (This image is shown on the cover of the CLogo pamphlet, pictured above)

Some pedophiles labelling themselves boylovers and girllovers celebrate their sexual preference. International BoyLove Day is celebrated on the first Saturday after the summer solstice. This is the day male pedophiles attracted to boys celebrate their attraction, often by lighting blue candles discreetly in public. Alice Day, April 25, is a day of celebration to pedophiles attracted to girls. This is the day Lewis Carroll met Alice Liddell, the girl for whom he wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, on 25 April 1856.

8 References

• Ashford L (2002). The Human Face of Pedophilia
• Brongersma E (1990). Boy-Lovers and Their Influence on Boys. Journal of Homosexuality 20 - 1/2, 1990.
• CLogo Team (2003). Pedophiles
• Fagan PJ, Wise TN, et al. (2002). Pedophilia. JAMA. 2002;288:2458-2465.
• Gieles FEJ (1998). I didn't know how to deal with it. IPCE.
• Gieles FEJ (2004). Ethics and Intimacy in intergenerational relationships. IPCE.
• Moser C, Kleinplatz P (2003). DSM-IV-TR and the Paraphilias: An Argument for Removal
• Nelson JA (1989). Intergenerational Sexual Contact: A Continuum Model of Participants and Experiences. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, Vol. 15, No.1, 1989, pp.3-12.
• O'Carroll T (1980). Paedophilia: The Radical Case. Peter Owen, London.
• Protestantse Stichting voor Verantwoorde Gezinsvorming, (1981). Pedophilia. PSVG, The Netherlands.
• Paiderastia. A Boylove Code of Ethics. Paiderastia.
• Rossman P (1976) Sexual Experience Between Men and Boys: Exploring the Pederast Underground. Association Press, New York.
• Spieker B, Steutel J (1997). Paedophilia, Sexual Desire and Perversity. Journal of Moral Education, 09/01/1997.
• Underwager R, Wakefield H. (1997). Special Problems with Sexual Abuse Cases. Coping with psychiatric and psychological testimony, Supplement to the Fifth Edition (Out of Print) (pp. 136-147). Los Angeles, CA: Law and Psychology Press.
• Vereniging MARTIJN (2004). What we Stand for. Vereniging MARTIJN.

9 See also

• Chronophilia
• Child sexual abuse
• Pedophilia
• Paraphilia
• North American Man-Boy Love Association

10 External links

• Alice Day, International BoyLove Day
• CLogo
• Free Spirits
• IPCE
• MARTIJN

Pedophilia

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