Introduction: Why This Topic—and Why Now

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a profound betrayal, an extreme violation of the

safety and trust that every child deserves. Its consequences are not fleeting;

they can ripple through a survivor's life for decades, affecting their

education, relationships, career, and both mental and physical health. It is a

silent epidemic that thrives in secrecy and misunderstanding. The public

conversation about pedophilia, a key driver of some but not all CSA, is often

a volatile mix of fear, deeply ingrained myths, and justifiable anger. While

these emotions are understandable, they can obscure the path to effective

solutions.

This book approaches the topic through a public-health lens. Just as we

study diseases to prevent their spread, we can study the dynamics of CSA to

prevent it from happening. This perspective demands several things: clear

definitions to ensure we are all talking about the same thing; a careful

separation between sexual interest and criminal behavior, which is crucial

for effective prevention; and a firm reliance on evidence-based strategies for

prevention and protection.

The writing style throughout is deliberately plain and direct. The goal is to

make complex scientific and psychological ideas accessible to nonspecialists—parents, teachers, coaches, community leaders, and concerned

citizens—without sacrificing scientific accuracy or compassion. We do not

reproduce graphic or sensational material. The focus is on understanding,

promoting safety, and upholding accountability.

Two core principles guide every page of this book:

1. Protecting children is the absolute, non-negotiable priority. Every

concept, strategy, and piece of data is presented with this ultimate goal

in mind. The well-being and dignity of children are paramount.

2. Prevention works best when the problem is described precisely. We

need to be clear about where the science is certain, where it is still

learning, and where ethics and law must provide firm guidance. To

achieve this, we draw on major, authoritative reference works like the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)

and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). We also

rely on public-health data from organizations like the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health

Organization (WHO), and we synthesize findings from decades of

peer-reviewed research in psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry,

criminology, and child protection.

We distinguish among a person's internal sexual interest, their risk of

causing harm, and their criminal actions because this clarity is what supports

better policies, smarter safeguards, and more effective interventions.

Understanding the problem accurately is the first and most critical step

toward solving it.