New Zealand sets up helpline for adults sexually attracted to children – The Guardian

Adults in New Zealand who are sexually attracted to children will be able refer themselves to a specialist therapeutic service as part of a government-funded research project designed to prevent abuse.

Stand Strong, Walk Tall is a pilot programme set up by two clinical psychologists with expertise in sexual abuse prevention Dr Sarah Christofferson at the University of Canterbury and Dr Gwenda Willis from the University of Auckland.

Roughly one in six young people in New Zealand experience sexual abuse before they turn 18, Christofferson said.

Its a massive problem and thats why we want to be looking at adding to the puzzle and, collectively, how we can work to bring this down.

But there is an important distinction between attraction and action, she said.

What research tells us more and more, is that this [attraction] is not something that has been chosen its something that theyve learned about themselves. So there shouldnt be any judgment or any stigma.

Christofferson said a conservative estimate would be around 3% 5% of the adult male population in New Zealand would have experienced feelings of sexual attraction to a minor.

The service aims to help prevent child sexual abuse and to enable participants lead safe and fulfilling lives.

The programme, which begins this month, will ask participants to self-refer via website or text. Participant details will remain confidential.

Until now, there have been limited avenues for someone to seek help if they are feeling distressed by their attractions, Christofferson said. Thats why part of our goal is really trying to promote that we are a safe place, that we understand, were specialists and we know that attraction is different from action.

New Zealand is not the first to offer a preventative service to paedophiles and, more broadly, adults attracted to under-18s the most famous example being the Dunkelfeld Project in Germany.

The clinicians found that 84% of child sexual abuse convictions in New Zealand each year were of individuals not previously known to have committed sexual offences.

Yet most prevention work has focused on stopping repeat offending, by targeting those already convicted of sexual offence, Christofferson said.

This is important work, however, there is an opportunity to broaden these prevention efforts to reach a wider group who may be unknown to the justice system.

In New Zealand, contact Victim Support on 0800 842 846: Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz; Whats Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)

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New Zealand sets up helpline for adults sexually attracted to children - The Guardian