Paedophilia is a condition in which an adult person feels sexual attraction towards children, usually prepubescent children. This affliction towards prepubescent children can happen to pubescent children as well. Acting upon these thoughts are criminal offences under the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act.

The most important thing to be kept in mind is that though a person has paedophilic tendencies, he/she may not act upon it.

“Not all sex offenders who target children are paedophiles, and not all paedophiles are sex offenders.”

Are you having unwanted sexual thoughts about minors? Do you feel distressed by these thoughts? Do you think you could do with help to manage your thoughts and feelings? There are various resources, organisations and psychiatrists who could help you, to a degree, to stop such thoughts. These are some of the organisations that we have come across:

Virtuous Pedophiles (https://www.stopitnow.org/resource/virtuous-pedophiles-organization)
B4U-ACT (https://ecsa.lucyfaithfull.org/b4u-act)
Stop It Now (https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/stop-it-now-helpline-campaign.htm)
Don’t offend INDIA (https://www.stopitnow.org/resource/dont-offend-india-organization)
Troubled Desire (https://ecsa.lucyfaithfull.org/troubled-desire)
PPPSV (https://www.bayer.in/en/development/pppsv)

This list is put together in good faith to help people who might be dealing with these issues. However, we advise you to use your discretion while contacting or seeking help from any of the organisations mentioned herein.

Disclaimer

• This list is put together in good faith to help people who might be dealing with these issues. However, we advise you to use your discretion while contacting or seeking help from any of the organisations mentioned herein.
• Bodhini does not claim that paedophilia is a treatable condition or guarantee that it can treat persons attracted to minors. The resources shared are done in good faith with the bona fide intention of providing help to persons who are attracted to minors.

It is advised that the persons who are checking these resources need not confine their search to the ones mentioned above and may check out all the available resources online/offline.

Article by : Salma Jennath

With inputs from Dr Sangeeta Saksena, Founder, Enfold