Save the Children Denmark and Save the Children Finland have published a new guidebook for professionals.

This guidebook is an introductory tool for professionals in contact with adolescents on how to prevent child sexual abuse by helping adolescents who are sexually attracted to children. The guidebook is a product of a research collaboration on child sexual abuse prevention between MSc, PhD-student Mikkel Rask Pedersen and Save the Children Denmark and Save the Children Finland.

Sexual interest in children is controversial and taboo and also complex and challenging to define. When we focus on adolescents’ sexual interests, this only adds to the complexity. Despite common belief, many people who experience sexual attraction to children manage to live lives without abuse. Yet, if adolescents start to experience sexual thoughts about children, the fear of committing the abuse or the fear of social rejection makes many avoid seeking help. Therefore, these adolescents will end up facing this struggle alone. However, if we find ways to better inform adolescents sexually attracted to children about the help that is available, we can help them while also protecting children from sexual abuse.


The guidebook “Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Support for Adolescents Sexually Attracted to Children – An Introductory Guidebook” is available at the following websites:
In English
In Finnish