Paedophilia is a clinical term for adults who are primarily
sexually attracted to prepubertal children. The commonly cited
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders describes
paedophilia as “the act or fantasy of engaging in sexual
activity with prepubertal children as a repeatedly preferred or
exclusive method of achieving sexual excitement . . . Isolated
sexual acts with children do not warrant the [clinical]
diagnosis of paedophilia”. The manual adds that a person who
fits this diagnosis would have to be at least 16 years old and
five years older than the child to whom their sexual fantasies
are directed. Technically, only a qualified psychologist or
psychiatrist could be expected to diagnose paedophilia.
Paedophiles may focus on either boys or girls, or have no gender
preference. Not all paedophiles sexually abuse or harass
children. Some may have fantasies about sex with children but
they do not act them out with a child (although they may use
child pornography). Others may abuse children in