Pedophilia is one of numerous psychological dispositions called paraphilias. Paraphilia is a condition in which sexual arousal depends on the fantasy of engaging in sexual behaviors considered atypical or extreme (Psychology Today, 2014). Pedophilia and other paraphilias are viewed as abnormal, disgusting, strange, bizarre, and totally unacceptable mental illnesses by most people (Psychology Today, 2014). One of the most hated, reviled and publically infuriating individuals in society is a pedophile. Most equate pedophilia with a child sexual molester or some sort of perverted monster. There is considerable misunderstanding about pedophilia. In a 1990 study, the authors state that “there is a widespread belief among professionals and the general public that sexual abuse causes sexual abuse.” The theory is referred to as the “child and adolescent sexual abuse/abuse hypothesis” (Garland & Dougher, 1990, p. 448). The fact is that the face of a pedophile is not that of some monster lurking in our neighborhoods ready to pounce on the first available child. He's not even necessarily a "dirty old man." A pedophile can be anyone: a neighbor, a lawyer, a school teacher or a relative (Wylie, 1998). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies pedophilia as a disorder only if the sexual fantasies or urges involve prepubescent children, if they last at least six months, if the individual has acted on them, or if cause marked distress” (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Possible changes to the DSMPedophilia is specifically related to children under the age of 13 (Psychology Today, 2014). Hebephilia is the sexual preference of early adolescents between the ages of 11 and 14, A th...... middle of document ......end of weekly meetings, with much time spent helping men understand and identify the risk. Most participants continue longer than necessary due to continuation of support. With the positive results and high hospitalization rate, further expansion is expected (Gillies, Hashmall, Hilton, and Webster 1992). Psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, medications, and surgery are the four main treatment modalities proposed for pedophilia, with surgery being the most extreme (Berlin & Krout, 1986). Repique and Renee (1999) state that antiandrogen drugs and individual/group psychotherapy are common treatments. Recidivism remains a constant concern for the therapist (Repique & Renee, 1999). Most researchers agree that more empirical research is needed to further evaluate adequate understanding of pedophilia and effective treatment options.