One in Six Australian Men Would Have Sexual Contact with a Child if No One Found Out: Study

Study Reveals Disturbing Statistics on Child Sexual Offending in Australia

A recent study conducted by UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Services has uncovered alarming statistics regarding child sexual offending in Australia. The study surveyed 1,945 men over the age of 18 and found that one in six Australian men admitted that they would engage in sexual contact with a child or teenager under the age of 18 if they could do so without being discovered. This accounts for 15.1% of the men surveyed.

The study also revealed that around 9.4% of Australian men have committed sexual offenses against children, with half of this group admitting to having sexual feelings towards children. Shockingly, only 29.6% of men with sexual feelings towards children expressed a desire for help. Contrary to popular belief, the study found that the 4.9% of men with sexual feelings and a history of offending against children were more likely to work with children, be married, have higher levels of social support, earn higher incomes, and have been victims of child sexual abuse themselves.

The study’s findings challenge the notion that individuals who are sexually attracted to children and willing to act on it are social outcasts or statistical outliers. However, the authors acknowledge that the study has limitations, as the majority of participants self-identified as white and heterosexual, potentially skewing the representativeness of the findings.

Paedophilia, defined as a recurrent and intense sexual attraction to prepubescent children, affects a small percentage of the population. Estimates suggest that between 3% and 5% of adult males have paedophilic disorder, while the prevalence is lower in women.

While the study does not indicate an increase in paedophilia, it highlights the ease with which paedophiles can access child sexual abuse material and groom children anonymously through the internet. A US study found that 35% of children aged ten to fifteen reported being victims of internet harassment or unwanted sexual solicitation.

Although paedophilia cannot be cured, treatments such as hormone medication therapies, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and psychosocial methods have shown promise in reducing sexual interests and behaviors. CBT aims to change thoughts and behaviors related to paedophilia, with the goal of reducing the desire to offend against children.

To protect children, the study suggests improving safety measures on online dating sites, increasing safeguards in vulnerable environments such as daycare centers and sporting clubs, and providing support for individuals who are sexually attracted to children but wish to seek help. Additionally, educating children about online safety and encouraging them to report concerns is crucial.

As a society, it is essential to be proactive in protecting children and addressing the issue of child sexual offending.