APA decision (2013)

On October 31, 2013, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association issued statements due to pressure put on them from a right wing Christian news site and a number of smaller, right-wing blogs, the APA has decided to change "sexual orientation" to "sexual interest" and deny that they intended the entry in DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) to read sexual orientation indicating that they don't consider it a variant of normal sexuality but rather a paraphilia which can be changed. The treatment of paraphilias and related disorders often includes: psychotherapy, self-help groups, and pharmacotherapy (including anti-androgen hormone therapy (Depo Provera) as well as the use of psychostimulants both of which are referred to as "chemical castration") . In this reversal of position on pedophilia being a sexual orientation, both APA's took the opertunity to reaffirmed their commitment to continue to view individuals attracted to minors as a criminal class meriting punishment rather than treatment for their adjustment issues or depression related to sexual orientation. The following are excerpts from those statements:

October 31, 2013 - American Psychiatric Association Statement on DSM -5 Text Error Pedophilic disorder text error to be corrected “Sexual orientation” is not a term used in the diagnostic criteria for pedophilic disorder and its use in the DSM -5 text discussion is an error and should read “sexual interest.” In fact, APA considers pedophilic disorder a “paraphilia,” not a “sexual orientation.” This error will be corrected in the electronic version of DSM - 5 and the next printing of the manual. APA stands firmly behind efforts to criminally prosecute those who sexually abuse and exploit children and adolescents. We also support continued efforts to develop treatments for those with pedophilic disorder with the goal of preventing future acts of abuse."

October 31, 2013 - Statement of the American Psychological Association Regarding Pedophilia and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) "The American Psychological Association maintains that pedophilia is a mental disorder; that sex between adults and children is always wrong; and that acting on pedophilic impulses is and should be a criminal act."

Reaction

Critics of this decision point out that it was not made based on science, research, and clinical experience but on social/political pressure. That scientists and researchers have been moving towards a consensus in recent years that paedophilia is indeed a sexual orientation. The mental health advocacy group "B4U-ACT" indicated that they see the decision and statements by both APAs as a significant barrier to treatment for all minor attracted people.

Fight Back

Early in November 2013 as a response to both APA's statements, a tumblr website was setup by person or persons unknown called, Fight Back. The page contained two graphic images (see below) and instructions that their viewers should help the images "go viral".

Grapgic 1: The American Psychological Association Grapgic 2: The American Psychiatric Association Text and graphics from Fight Back website It’s time to fight back. Help make these go viral. Both APAs have just released press releases in response to right wing fundamentalist complaints that the new DSM 5 classifies pedophilia as a sexual orientation. The press releases ignore the mental health of people with the diagnosis and instead advocate their prosecution—an interesting approach for so-called mental health organizations. The press releases can be found at: http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/13-67-DSM-Correction-103113.pdf http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/10/pedophilia-mental.aspx Source of the stats above: About 11,000 children are born in the U.S. every day. Up to 3% of males are preferentially attracted to younger children, according to DSM 5. An internet study found 85% of people attracted to children remember first having these feelings when under age 18, and 45% considered suicide (http://b4uact.org/science/survey/01.htm).

External links

• Heretic TOC – A plague on both your APA houses – Tom discusses the recent APA decision to give into right wing pressure and remove "Sexual Orientation" from the entry on pedophilia from the DSM-5. (UK)

• APA to correct manual: Pedophilia is not a ‘sexual orientation’ – Due to pressure from right wing Christian news site and a number of smaller, right-wing blogs, the APA has decided to change "sexual orientation" to "sexual interest" and deny that they intended the entry in DSM-5 to read sexual orientation. (The Washington Times,US)

• Whopping Pedophilia 'Sexual Orientation' Error Sparks Right-Wing Freakout - A mainstream Christian news site and a number of smaller, right-wing blogs published stories this week alleging that the American Psychiatric Association, or APA, had classified pedophilia as a sexual orientation. ( The Huffington Post)

• Mistakes can have a very high price. – Peter Hooper's blog: "Take a Risk NZ" – analyses the recent APA decission

• Fight Back – It’s time to fight back. Help make these go viral. Both APAs have just released press releases in response to right wing fundamentalist complaints that the new DSM 5 classifies pedophilia as a sexual orientation. The press releases ignore the mental health of people with the diagnosis and instead advocate their prosecution—an interesting approach for so-called mental health organizations.