According to the National Center for Victims of Crimes, one in 5 girls and one in 20 boys are victims of Child Sexual abuse, but only about 50 percent of the individuals who sexually abuse children are pedophilic. (And it's also true that not every person with pedophilia has abused a child). The other 50 percent of those individuals actually lack the necessary social skills to have emotional and sexual relationships with peers their own age. Instead, they look for "replacement partners" in children.
So how are these minor attracted adults made? Is it all biological, psychological, or what? And what exactly does treatment look like for these individuals? Nicoletta Heidegger has joined Dr. Wendy Walsh Show to tackle this difficult subject.
Nicoletta Heidegger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and is also currently in pursuit of her PhD in Human Sexuality. Her education (already) includes a BA in Psychology from Stanford, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine, and a Masters of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University.
She's also a regular on many columns and shows about relationships and the mental health surrounding them. Appearing on Vice, Playboy Radio, and The Stanford Daily, just to name a few. She even hosts her own podcast and live Sirius XM show, Sluts and Scholars.
To report child abuse or neglect in Los Angeles County, call the Child Abuse Hot Line at 1-800-540-4000.