The current revelations at Penn State and the ongoing scandal in the Catholic Church highlight both the insidious and widespread threat of pedophilia and society's failure to adequately address this scourge. While sexual attraction to children, apparently far more common in men than in women, is likely a result of both genetic predispostion and psychological disturbance, it cannot be condoned or ignored by those in a position to protect the innocent.
The Catholic Church, enamored with celibacy, creates an attractive environment for pedophiles, as do other church groups, scouting troops and the varied youth organizations in modern society. While these groups may provide activities, education and counseling that are important to large numbers of children, they are not always structured to ensure that abuse cannot occur. Furthermore, when abuse is discovered, efforts to protect the organization often prevent full disclosure and appropriate intervention.
Parents are the frontline of prevention and should discuss the topic of pedophilia with their children, encouraging them to report any activity that makes them uncomfortable; they must also police, if not totally restrict, travel, overnight programs and home visits with counselors, coaches or youth group leaders. Of course, the organizations themselves must ensure that the potential for abuse is eliminated and society must impose strict regulations governing the activity, structure and oversight of youth groups. Finally, society must enforce the legal protection of children by continuing an aggressive assault on child pornography and child prostitution and by insuring that those adults who do not promptly report incidents of pedophilia are fully prosecuted.
