Vigilantes are much feared and hated by non-offending pedophiles as well as by offenders. Why?

Here's my take on people who go online posing as underage people to 'expose pedos'.

1) You're probably actually exposing ephebophiles rather than pedophiles...

2) There's a case for saying this is entrapment in some jurisdictions.

3) That said, >

> I too am worried about anyone who talks sexually online or arranges to meet for sexual purposes a person they believe to be underage. Everyone should be concerned.

4) It is an offence in England, at least, to do either of the above so reporting a person who does those things >

> seems legit to me, even where the 'victim' is fictional. There is good reason to suppose a fictional victim might otherwise have been a real one, and I believe in prevention.

5) By far the best way of responding when a person sexually messages someone they believe to be >

> seems legit to me, even where the 'victim' is fictional. There is good reason to suppose a fictional victim might otherwise have been a real one, and I believe in prevention.

5) By far the best way of responding when a person sexually messages someone they believe to be >

> underage, is to get that person toward support, instead of getting them to the point where they commit an offence. Far less damage that way, if they can be helped.

6) Admittedly, not everyone can be helped and someone who hasn't (yet) offended can't be >

> judicially compelled to engage with prevention efforts, or "get help" as the antis say. I do understand why the pedo-hunters feel they have to get to the point of an actual offence being committed so the police can arrest, or a potential offender may simply disappear into the >

> night (perhaps to victimise an actual child). All the same I think there should be a focus on finding ways to intervene at this stage rather than, in effect, commissioning an offence.

7) If someone goes ahead and arranges to meet or sends sexual messages then the only >

> reason for taking video is as documentation for police eyes only. I cannot think of any reasonable justification for live streaming or making the video public. You risk harming some entirely innocent party or of exposing an offender to highly unpredictable risks (including >

> suicide and assault by third parties). Not only that you're taking other risks with the lives of their family, their friends, their children or young relatives and so on. Not to mention effects on the investigation and any potential trial. 'Hunters' cannot ever control for >

> these risks in a way that makes public sharing wise or ethical.

8) Finally, sexual abuse, grooming and exploitation as they happen in the real world are not entertainment, and they're not a fair or moral way to get clicks and status. If you want to help, support charities >

> that engage with victims of CSA and/or with offenders (like @CirclesUk) or, if your heart is set on online detection work, then reach potential offenders and get them engaged with support from @virpeds or professionals. THAT would be a contribution, and it would be BRAVE. ||

About the author: I have been writing and talking about the experience of being a pedophile since 2017. Once on twitter until my account was banned in 2020, I co-led Virtuous Pedophiles from 2021 to 2025. I now continue to look for ways to improve the lives of pedophiles, but never at the expense of harming children. I have never viewed illegal material, and never sought or engaged in sexual activity with any child. The rest of my life is countryside walking, friends, Radio 3 and feeling doleful about ageing.

This content was removed from Twitter in 2020 because the author's account was suspended.

the p word is a collection of 321 articles, blogs, podcasts and threads in the voices of pedophiles and others who oppose adult child sexual contact and sexual exploitation of children. Despite our mainstream views, this content is frequently removed from social media or blog sites because openly discussing pedophile attractions or avowing them are not tolerated. Our side of the conversation continues here.

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What is the best behaviour for pedophiles, given you don't like what we are?

The received wisdom for some time has been that looking at CP makes it more likely that a pedophile will offend against a child. When men who have committed a contact offense are interviewed, they often describe CP viewing as part of the process that led up to the offense. But there is no evidence of...

Listen to former pastor and current recovery coach Shane Montgomery as he talks to Candice about his past sex offense, being a sex/porn/love addict and the importance of having a solid recovery plan (not just prayer) to keep oneself safe in their community.