FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 1999
Contact: Robert Collins (202) 682-6056 Release No. 99-16
Psychiatrists Appalled by Inaccuracy of Congressional Pedophilia Statement
The American Psychiatric Association is deeply distressed by a recent Congressional advisory misunderstanding and misinterpreting of the definition of pedophilia as currently defined in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV).
In 1994 the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV publicly amended not only the definition of pedophilia but all disorders, to define disorder as those that cause clinically significant distress. The American Psychiatric Association's position of pedophilia then--and now is very clear. In an October 1997 position paper the following statements were issued:
"An adult who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act which never can be considered normal or socially acceptable behavior."
"Child psychiatrists and other child development experts maintain that children are incapable of offering informed consent to sex with an adult. Furthermore, since pedophiliac acts harm the child, psychiatrists condemn publications or organizations which seek to promote or normalize sex between adults and children."
"When evaluating who may have pedophilia, psychiatrists apply three criteria spelled out in the DSM-IV. Whether or not all three criteria are present, an individual who has sexual encounter with a child has committed a crime. Psychiatrists nationwide support the federal and state statues that define the criminality of any sexual act or molestation involving a child."
"The American Psychiatric Association views children as a gift and responsibility to be protected from those who would harm them. Any views that would indicate that the American Psychiatric Association has changed or 'normalized' pedophilia are wholly inaccurate and are ignorant of the tireless efforts of our membership to protect and prevent victims of sexual predators." said Rodrigo MuÃ’oz, President of the American Psychiatric Association.
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society, founded in 1844, whose 40,000 physician members specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses and substance use disorders.
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