Thread by @ECPAT

.@DailyMail, don't use terms like #paedohpile. There are people with paedophilic disorder, & not all abuse children. Help is available, but stigmatizing people makes it less likely they will get help & can increase the risk to children.
Report responsibly.
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6…

Yes it's #paedophile, thank you @SandraSilguero for noticing. There are several reasons why using "paedophile" as a synonym for child sexual abuse offenders, or people who sexually exploit children, is problematic & counterproductive when fighting the crime.

1. It is inaccurate. Although people who commit #ChildSexualAbuse are sometimes #paedophiles, those with a paedophilic disorder have a sustained primary or exclusive sexual interest in pre-pubescent children. i.e. those who abuse teenagers are not necessarily paedophiles.

2. Paedophilic disorder is a specific diagnosed condition. Unless you are a #psychiatrist (which most @DailyMail journalists are likely not) you cannot determine with accuracy if someone has this disorder.

3. It is counterproductive to assume that all paedophiles abuse or exploit children. Some people with the disorder seek help for it, without abusing children or viewing online abuse material. #CSAM

4. By using the word "paedophile" (as well as the word ‘depraved’) when referring to all offenders, it further #stigmatizes those with the disorder. Those who are willing to seek help will be less likely to do so due to fear of #stigma. Less help seeking means more child victims.

5. Even offenders who abuse pre-pubescent children are not always paedophiles. Our research shows there are actually many "situational" or "opportunistic" offenders. They have no exclusive attraction to children, but offend when an opportunity is presented, e.g. while traveling.

6. The #misconception "all offenders are paedophiles" or "all paedophiles are offenders" is very dangerous. It limits our understanding.
W/out proper understanding of how & why people offend, & the opportunities to prevent it, we won't get any closer to ending child sexual abuse.