Stigmatisering af mennesker med pædofile tanker

Abstract

Der er tale om stigmatisering, når mennesker pga. karakteristika som hudfarve eller seksuel orientering bliver stemplet på en måde som medfører social marginalisering og/eller diskrimination og således ringere muligheder for livsudfoldelse. Litteraturen har vist, at pædofili er forbundet med signifikant stigmatisering i samfundet. Negative syn og antagelser om pædofile præger også de sundhedsprofessionelle. Stigmatiseringen kan være medvirkende til, at pædofile tøver med at opsøge professionel hjælp, som ellers er afgørende for at reducere risikoen for seksuelle krænkende adfærd. Man ønskede derfor at søge at afdække, hvorvidt mennesker med pædofile tanker har oplevet social stigmatisering, og hvordan de i givet fald oplever, at det har påvirket dem, både i forhold til selvbillede, social netværksdannelse og behandlingsmotivation. Studiet er en kvalitativ undersøgelse, hvor der er blevet gennemført semistrukturede interviews med 2 informanter med pædofile tanker. Man fandt, at mennesker med pædofile tanker oplever at blive udsat for betydelig stigmatisering i samfundet, og at dette påvirker deres selvopfattelse og deres evne til at danne sociale netværk negativt. De oplever, at de ikke kan snakke med andre om deres seksuelle tanker om børn. Ligeledes fandt man, at mennesker med pædofile tanker har svært ved at søge læge for at få behandling på grund af frygt for at blive anmeldt. Disse resultater stemte overens med eksisterende litteratur på området. Man kan derfor konkludere, at mennesker med pædofile tanker oplever at blive udsat for betydelig social stigmatisering, som påvirker deres selvopfattelse og deres behandlingsmotivation. Det vil være ønskeligt at iværksætte oplysningskampagner i samfundet for at kunne reducere stigmatiseringen. Gennemsyn af de nuværende henvisningskrav for sexologisk behandling vil være ønskeligt for at kunne øge andelen af mennesker med pædofile tanker, der vil opsøge professionel hjælp.

Stigmatization is the disapproval of people based on characteristics, such as skin color or sexual orientation, that leads to discrimation and thus inferior opportunities to achieve personal development. The literature has shown that pedophilia is associated with significant social stigma. Negative views and assumptions of pedophiles also characterize the health professionals. Stigmatization can be a contributory factor in the reluctance of pedophiles to seek treatment. Treatment is crucial to reduce the risk of sexual offending behavior. It was investigated how people with sexual thoughts about children have experienced social stigma and how they have experienced that it has affected them, both in terms of self-image, development of social network and treatment motivation. The study consists of a qualitative study in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with 2 informants. It was found that people with sexual thoughts about children are exposed substantial social stigma, which negatively affects their self-perception and their ability to form a social network. They experience that they cannot talk to others about their sexual thoughts about children. Similarly, it was found that people with sexual thoughts about children find it difficult to seek treatment, due to their fear of being reported to the police. These results were consistent with existing literature in the field. It can therefore be concluded that people with sexual thoughts about children are exposed to substantial social stigma which affects their self-perception and their treatment motivation. It would be desirable to launch public information campaigns to reduce stigma. Revision of the current referral requirements for sexological treatment would be desirable in order to increase the proportion of those who will seek professional help.

A master programme thesis from Aalborg University

Stigmatisering af mennesker med pædofile tanker

[Stigmatization of minor-attracted persons]