Dr. James Cantor tries to draw a distinction between nonoffending pedophiles (who deserve our sympathy) and child molesters (who don't) in an op-ed today for CNN:
The science suggests that [pedophiles] are people who, through no fault of their own, were born with a sex drive that they must continuously resist, without exception, throughout their entire lives. Little if any assistance is ever available for them.
They are often unable to consult mental health professionals (because of mandatory reporting rules); their families will often disown rather than support them; and despite the openness of the Internet, there are few options for coming out and joining communities of other pedophiles for mutual support.
Having encountered thousands of cases, it is my experience that the pedophiles who do go on to become actual child molesters do so when they feel the most desperate. Yet, much of what society does has been to increase rather than decrease their desperation.
ht: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/06/21/do-pedophiles-deserve-our-sympathy
