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Professional Responses to Contemporary Discourses and Definitions of Paedophilia

NCJ Number
237406
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2011 Pages: 322-335
Author(s)
Kieran F. McCartan
Date Published
2011
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses professionals' contemporary definitions and understandings of pedophilia.
Abstract
This paper will discuss professionals' contemporary definitions and understandings of pedophilia, based upon empirical qualitative research with a range of professionals working within pedophilia, or in related fields (practitioners, academics and members of the media) (N = 28). The research used semi-structured interviews, interpreted through qualitative (thematic) content analysis. The findings reveal that in general the professionals seem to have similar, but differently nuanced understandings of pedophilia. The professionals believe that the current definition of pedophilia, as a result of a number of factors including disparate professional discourses, has become problematic as it does not reflect the complexity of the issue or the population in question. This disharmony in professional discourse and public discussion has led to the broader societal discourse surrounding pedophilia to become maladaptive and not fit for purpose. Therefore the professionals believe that the current discourse surrounding pedophilia, and its resulting definition, needs to be readdressed. (Published Abstract)

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