If you’re not really sure they have a problem: Letting someone know that their abusive behaviors are not invisible to others can be an effective measure in helping an adult stay safe from crossing the line with a child. Some adults do not understand fully what behavior is appropriate with children...
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There is no such thing as a “typical sex offender.” It can be hard to understand how seemingly ordinary people can have sexual thoughts or behaviors towards children. There is also no usual “pathway” to becoming someone who sexually abuses children. People who sexually abuse children can be any...
Asking for help breaks the isolation The reasons why some adults think of behaving sexually with a child are complex. In fact, most adults who have sexual fantasies about children may find these thoughts worrisome – and they don’t want to harm a child. There is a lot of shame, stigma, and fear...
Treatment for people who have sexually abused is different than other therapy for adults
The Internet makes it easy to cross the line
Do you need help? If you are wondering about your own sexual thoughts and behaviors toward children, we encourage you to answer these questions honestly. They are designed to help you decide whether you may need help. Take a few minutes to ask yourself the following twelve questions. If you answer...
Not everything you share with a therapist can be kept confidential. What an individual tells his or her therapist is confidential; however, there are limitations to the confidentiality between a therapist and a client. Laws in all 50 states require a therapist to contact authorities if a patient is...
Not knowing what might happen next makes it hard to reach out for help Sometimes people who have been sexual with children are afraid to reach out for help because they don't know what might happen to them or their family. Child sexual abuse is a crime and must be dealt with through the child...
Now is the time to seek help. If you know someone who is having sexual thoughts about children or who feels sexually aroused by a child’s presence, this is the time to seek help. It is important to that they take steps now to keep themselves from being sexual in the presence of a child. With...
Do I need help if I haven't crossed the line? Many people wish they had sought help before they crossed the line and sexually abused a child. Through research we've learned that many adults who sexually abused a child wanted to stop but didn't know how. If you have sexually abused child, it is not...
“I was in a lot of pain... My big concern was that nobody knew what I did. I didn't want anybody to know I was a pedophile. I thought, "That's the bottom of the totem pole," not realizing that the only way I was NOT going to be a pedophile for life was to get help and to learn to change myself...
Stop It Now! has a confidential toll-free Helpline (1.888.PREVENT). If you are concerned about your sexualized thoughts or behaviors towards children, you can call the Stop It Now! confidential, toll-free Helpline at 1.888.PREVENT (1.888.773.8368). No caller ID is used on this line. Get access to...
It is very hard to predict how the person who has abused will respond. Once the adult or youth who has been harmful is aware that this behavior has been exposed, they may experience a number of different reactions. These reactions can range from fear and remorse to outright denial. It is important...
You can help a child who has sexual behavior problems. If you know a child and youth who demonstrates sexual behavior problems, you can help them to learn new healthy and safe behaviors. It's important for parents and other caregiving adults to act promptly to address a young person's sexual...
If you are someone whose sexual thoughts or behaviors about children concern you, and/or put children at risk for sexual abuse, there is help available for you so that no child is harmed. Stop It Now! asks all adults to be accountable and take responsibility for their behavior. When an adult who is...
Safety Planning in the Moment: For Adults Who Feel At-Risk to Harm a Child When you’re reaching out for help to stay safe from engaging in inappropriate or abusive behavior, Stop It Now! understands that you may not always be in a safe place. Sometimes, due to life circumstances, you may already be...