Paedophiles and Sexual Offences Against Children (Wiley Series in the Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law)

Rating:
Summary: well researched book even if its message is unwelcome
Review: Contrary to what some reviewers of this text (see sept 03 review from 'a reader') will have you believe, this is a well researched book that gives some insight into the difficulties of solving our child abuse problem.

I don't believe that Howitt is an apologist for pedophilia but merely indicates the prevalence of pedophilia, indicating that it is a multi- facted issue without an easy solution. The subject matter may certainly be unsettling for people. Obviously, it is easier to deny the problem, or to keep demonizing pedophiles than it is to begin to address motivations for offending and the success of different methods to inhibit recidivism.

It's a pity that some people confuse this author with the rhetoric of people who may quote or distort his findings. Being personally unfamiliar with "websites which defend child sexual abuse - the kind of websites that refer to man boy love and intergenerational sex", I can't comment on the way that those people have used his text.

I do think that is nothing short of idiotic to blame Howitt for how people may wish to use his text to justify their ends. To use a hackneyed example, should we dismiss the Bible because of people wanting to use it to justify their bigotry?

I am deeply offended by the reviewers assertions that people should "readers do their own research" into the life of Dennis Howitt. I find such an insidious and supercilious remark to be nothing short of slander. He is a chartered (forensic) psychologist and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Last available information seems to indicate that he works at Loughborough University in the UK. (...) Furthermore, the company that published the book could hardly be accused of being hack academic press. This text is not the pedophile propaganda that some people will try and tell you it is.

This reviewer treats Howitt as though he is an offender. I think this goes some way to suggest why it is that dealing with child abuse is such a complicated matter. If you're going to demonize anyone who enters into the field and generates discourse, then it's hardly an attractive field to move into. With a lack of academic work in the field, the problem is sure to get worse. It's no secret that child sex abusers benefit from ignorance and silence. Howitt should be commended. not condemned, for this research.


Rating:
Summary: a dangerous apologia for child sexual abuse
Review: Denis Howitt's book is quoted extensivly on websites which defend child sexual abuse - the kind of websites that refer to man boy love and intergenerational sex. Men who abuse children need 'academic' work which minimises the nature of their crimes - indeed, suggest it may be beneficial to children. There's a long history of this kind of 'research' going back to the Paedophile Information Exchange in the 70s. Howitt's hostility to any analysis of child sexual abuse which defines it as an abuse of power tells you all you need to know. Men who write books suggesting that children can freely consent to sexual activity without suffering any ill effects let all abusers off the hook. Howitt, like all men who write this kind of book, knows full well who utilises and benefits from it, who it enables to sleep more peacefully at night - not the children that's for sure.

Who is Dennis Howitt- an academic at Loughborough University. But that's not the whole story. I suggest readers do their own research

Rating:
Summary: A good beginning to understanding them
Review: I was researching pedophilia when I came upon this book and I'm so glad I had the chance to read it now. It really opened my eyes regarding pedophiles and the goings on within their minds. It also gave me a firmer understanding of possible reform programs for these offenders. Most of all, it ensured me that not nearly enough time and study has gone into the understanding of these people as a solution to the problem. Are pedophiles around every corner as our media would have us believe? No. Do they exist and are they a concern in modern day society? Yes. The point is that only by trying to understand why they do what they do can we begin to keep tragic events from taking place and ruining families and lives across this country. Being outraged and executing them without studying them thoroughly is not the answer people.