Pedophilia is one of several psychological dispositions called paraphilias. Paraphilia is a condition in which sexual arousal depends on the fantasy of engaging in sexual behavior considered atypical or extreme (Psychology Today, 2014). Pedophilia and other paraphilias are considered an abnormal, unpleasant, strange, perverse, and completely unacceptable mental illness by most people (Psychology Today, 2014). One of the most hated, reviled and publicly enraged individuals in society is a pedophile. Most equate pedophilia with child sex abuser or some sort of perverted monster. There is considerable misunderstanding about pedophilia. In a 1990 study, the authors state "there is a widely held belief among professionals and the general public that sexual abuse causes sexual abuse." This theory is called “the abuser/perpetrator hypothesis of child and adolescent sexual abuse” (Garland & Dougher, 1990, p. 448). The fact is that the face of a pedophile is not a monster lurking in our neighborhoods ready to pounce on the first available child. He’s not necessarily a “dirty old man” either. A pedophile can be anyone: a next door neighbor, a lawyer, a school teacher, or a parent (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 they cause marked distress. American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Possible Changes to DSMPedophilia is specifically linked to children under the age of 13 (Psychology Today, 2014). Hebephilia is the sexual preference of young adolescents aged 11 to 14, a middle of paper ......end of weekly meetings, with considerable time devoted to helping men understand and identify risks. Most participants continue longer than necessary due to continued support. Given the positive results and high referral rate, further expansion is planned (Gillies, Hashmall, Hilton and Webster 1992). Psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, medication, and surgery are the four main treatment modalities offered for pedophilia, with surgery being the most extreme (Berlin & Krout, 1986). Repique and Renee (1999) state that anti-androgen medications and individual/group psychotherapy are common treatments. Recidivism remains a constant concern for therapists (Repique and Renee, 1999). Most researchers agree that more empirical research is needed to further evaluate the understanding of pedophilia and effective treatment options..