Handout - Hebophiles
This handout is used as a supplement in
training and workshops and is not meant to be a complete document in and of itself. To those who have not attended our training and/or
workshops this handout will appear incomplete, vague, and confusing.
Hebophiles
A
Hebophile is defined as an adult who has a strong sexual, emotional and
spiritual attraction and/or preference for adolescents, (post-pubescent
children) but are NOT attracted to pre-pubescent children.
The
term Hebophilia doesn’t appear in DSM-IV.
Has
a strong attraction to adolescents, but not for pre-pubescent children.
The
age of attraction varies between 11-17 years old.
At
this age the child starts to make the change from being a child into being
young men and/or young women.
The
media often confuses hebophilic with pedophilic attraction bases, and simply
incorrectly uses the term 'pedophile' to refer to
General
Characteristics
Given
what we think we know, and don’t know about hebophiles, the following are some
of the common characteristics.
NOTE:
It is important to understand that these characteristics in and of themself do
not categorically conclude that the person is a hebophile.
However,
if these indicators are present along with a certain pattern of behaviour, then
there may be enough information to believe that the person maybe a hebophile.
Late
adolescence is the time when the hebophile qualities emerge.
Hebophiles
will often sexually abuse dozens of children over time.
The
hebophile does not usually marry, or have had failed marriages, due to their
sexual interests in children, but may remain in the marriage to mask their true
intentions.
At
times, the wife knows about her husband's sexual preference for, but prefers to
keep quiet to avoid social stigma and disgrace.
The
hebophile may show a greater then normal fascination or atypical interest in
post-pubescent children.
The
hebophile may make references to children that seem inappropriate.
The
hebophile tends to believe that their attraction to adolescents is natural and
lose sight of the way they behave in public. As a result they may involuntarily
divulge things about themselves when they engage in discussion or in their
behaviour.
The
hebophile may be involved in hobbies, interests or hang out in areas that are
common to that of the post-pubescent child.
The
hebophiles home or room may have a post-pubescent child’s theme to it. This may
reflect the age bracket of his preferred victim.
Hebophiles
commonly have methodical and prolonged access to post-pubescent children.
The
hebophile has to find a way to legitimize their contact with post-pubescent
children.
Jobs
such as school teachers, youth activity leaders, camp counsellors, life guards,
and sports coaching serve to meet their needs.
Hebophiles
find ways to get close to post-pubescent children, such as having parties,
offering rides home, supplying them with drugs and alcohol.
Hebophiles
are very clever/able at locating troubled or withdrawn
post-pubescent children, who ultimately become their primary targets.
The
most common technique used by hebophiles to obtain sex from post-pubescent
children is to befriend them, offer them a place to hang out, invite them to
parties, bootleg and supply drugs.
The
hebophile will often buy things for the post-pubescent children; take them to
the arcade, mall, restaurants and other places of interest.
If
the post-pubescent child is troubled, the hebophile will often comfort and
support them. The post-pubescent child will eventually develop feelings for the
hebophile, despite the fact they are being sexually abused.
Hebophiles
are very good in the manipulation of post-pubescent children. However, when the
victim gets older (into adulthood), the fond feelings they had for the
hebophile usually leave, often resulting in the victim
being left with the effects of the abuse.
Hebophilia
involves reoccurring sexual arousal, a sexual predisposition for post-pubescent
children, and desires or fantasies involving sexual impulses toward
a post-pubescent children.
The
hebophile has either acted on their sexual impulses, or the fantasies and/or
sexual arousal and impulses are consistent.
The
sexual activity engaged in by the hebophile varies from admiring the
post-pubescent child, to exposing themselves, to engaging in masturbation, to
caressing and fondling.
Other
sexual activities, (usually involving varying degrees of force), include
performing oral stimulation, or penetrating the mouth, vagina or anus with
fingers, foreign objects, or penis.
Hebophiles
frequently rationalize and make excuses for their behavior.
Often,
the hebophile is courteous, friendly and respectful to the post-pubescent child
for the purpose of gaining their trust.
Hebophiles
themselves appear to be stuck in their own adolescences.
They
usually have limited relations with adult peers, and relate better with
post-pubescent children.
Men
are identified more as hebophiles then women are. Their primary interest is in
boys (although girls are a target as well).
Most
sex offenders who abuse minors are not hebophiles.
Most
hebophiles never end up in the criminal justice system.