Preventing child sexual abuse by helping people before they act.

There is growing recognition that many adults with a sexual attraction for children are motivated not to cause harm. Referred to as minor-attracted persons (MAPs), these individuals have not committed sexual offenses and the primary goal is to provide support to help them remain free of offending. Yet, these clients, and those who treat them, face the additional challenge of apprehension among lay persons and other professionals who do not understand the complexities of this issue, conflating these well-intentioned MAPs with people who have harmed. Implementing the right treatment approaches is crucial in safeguarding children and helping clients build better lives for themselves.

This training explores how stigma, social norms, moral panic, and sexual attraction act as barriers to those seeking help in preventing themselves from committing their first offense. Dr. Spooner provides a comprehensive understanding of minor-attracted people, as well as the inaccurate narratives about MAPs that result in strained relationships between providers and clients. Lastly, participants are encouraged to identify and reflect on their personal biases, explore effective approaches to meeting the needs of MAPs, and consider alternative approaches to current practices.

Dr. Spooner discusses:

• The stigma that professionals experience and biases toward MAPs.
• Common prior client experiences with mental health providers.
• Four common treatment provider obstacles, including mass media misinformation, fear of liability and duty to warn laws, history of personal as well as vicarious trauma, and lack of the competencies needed for treating this population.
• Controversies around minor attraction and sexual orientation.
• Client socio-cultural influences.
• Norm-centered stigma theory, intersectionality, narrative humanization, and social justice concerns