Paedophilia

Paedophilia or pedophilia is a sexual desire directed towards children. The diagnostic criteria for pedophilia are:

1. A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger).
2. B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
3. C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A.

Note: it is NOT required that the person have ever acted on their urges in order for them to be a paedophile (which means literally "love for a child"). The correct term for someone actually engaging in sexual relations with a child is Pederast.

See Also

• Minor