Survey finds one in six men report attraction to children, but not rising
A UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Services study surveyed Australian men. Of those surveyed, 15.1 per cent reported sexual attraction to children under 18.
Researchers asked 1,945 men online about their feelings toward children. The finding goes against the idea that people attracted to children who would act on it are rare outliers.
However, experts believe this figure shows problems with how past research picked samples. It does not show a real rise in attraction now.
Old studies relied too much on convicted offenders and abuse survivors. This missed a wider group.
The internet makes it easier for people with these interests to find illegal material. They can groom children from far away.
A US study found 35 per cent of children aged ten to 15 reported facing online harassment or unwanted sexual contact. Paedophilic disorder cannot be cured.
But it can be managed through medicine, talking therapy, and cognitive behaviour methods. Support groups like StopItNow help men with these attractions seek help.
They do this before those men harm children.
- 1,945
- Men surveyed
- 15.1 percent
- Reported attraction
- UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Services
- Institutions
- 35 percent aged 10-15
- US children facing online harm
Why it mattersUnderstanding how common this actually is helps shift focus. Instead of treating it as a rare problem, we can work on prevention. We can add safeguards in childcare and sports. We can also support people seeking help before they harm children.
AustraliaAustralia needs stronger online safety protections and accessible support for both children and men struggling with unwanted attractions to reduce child sexual abuse.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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