The Psychology of Paedophilia - All in the Mind Podcast

In this week's episode of All in the Mind, Lynne Malcolm examines the psychology of pedophilia, one the most treatment resistant disorders known to psychology. Malcolm speaks with two experts in the field of sex offenders and two parents whose children were sexually abused (both by Catholic priests).

The psychology of paedophilia

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Sunday 2 June 2013

IMAGE: (GETTY IMAGES BY IVANASTAN)

For many of us, sexual attraction to children is difficult to understand—let alone the disregard child sex offenders have for the physical and emotional harm they can cause. What is the psychology of paedophilia? Are there differences in the brains of paedophiles, making them a biologically different class of person; or is attraction to children on a universal continuum, controlled only by socialisation? And the parents of two children who were sexually abused by a Catholic priest tell their devastating story.

Guests

• Stephen Smallbone: Professor at the Griffith University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and a leading researcher on child and adult sex offenders
• James Cantor: Psychologist and senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Editor in Chief of Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment
• Chrissie Foster: Mother of children who were sexually abused by a Catholic priest, Author
• Anthony Foster: Father of children who were abused by a Catholic Priest

Publications:

Hell on the Way to Heaven
Chrissie Foster with Paul Kennedy
Random House Australia Pty Ltd
Description: An Australian mother's love, the power of the Catholic Church, a fight for justice over child sexual abuse

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Evidence, Policy & Practice
Stephen Smallbone, William L. Marshall, Richard Wortley
Willan Publishing

Further Information:

• Lifeline 24 hour crisis support helpline 131114
• Stephen Smallbone Griffith University
• James M. Cantor University of Toronto
• Sexual Abuse : a journal of research and treatment
• The Age of Attraction - ABC RN's 360 Documentaries

Credits

• Presenter: Lynne Malcolm
• Researcher: Katie Silver