Pedophilia and Sexual Offending Against Children: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention

Author Michael Seto summarizes and integrates advances in the study of pedophilia and sexual offending against children over the last ten years in this thoroughly revised edition of his groundbreaking book. He synthesizes decades of complex research across multiple disciplines into easy-to-read analyses that will help mental health and legal professionals understand the psychological and neurobiological underpinnings of pedophilia and sexual offending against children. He dispels common myths about pedophilia, clarifying for instance that not all sexual offenders against children have pedophilia, and not all people with pedophilia commit sexual offenses. Seto also distinguishes pedophilia from hebephilia as attractions to prepubescent and pubescent children, respectively.

Seto offers practical recommendations for conducting clinical evaluations, risk assessments, and interventions with pedophilic individuals and with sexual offenders in clinical and forensic settings. He also provides evidence-based suggestions for future studies and policy reforms. New to this edition is an increased emphasis on prevention efforts with at-risk individuals who have pedophilia or hebephilia.