by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Two experts on pedophilia testified in front of the Canadian Parliament and said pedophilia was a “sexual orientation” similar to that of homosexuality and heterosexuality, raising the question of whether or not this condition will one day win the same civil rights as homosexuality.
LifeSiteNews.com is reporting that Dr. Vernon Quinsey and Dr. Hubert Van Gijseghem gave their testimony during a recent discussion of a bill known as “Protecting Children from Sexual Predators Act” which seeks to increase or impose mandatory minimum penalties or punishment on sexual offenders of children for particular crimes. The doctors were weighing in on the question of mandatory minimum imprisonment and how offenders respond to treatment.
“Pedophiles are not simply people who commit a small offence from time to time but rather are grappling with what is equivalent to a sexual orientation just like another individual may be grappling with heterosexuality or even homosexuality,” said Van Gijseghem, psychologist and retired professor of the University of Montreal.
“True pedophiles have an exclusive preference for children, which is the same as having a sexual orientation. You cannot change this person’s sexual orientation.” He added, however: “He may however remain abstinent.”
One member of Parliament, Marc Lemay, challenged Van Gijseghem’s definition. “I have to admit that I was not expecting . . . to be talking about this inappropriate type of love. It is not really love. It has more to do with violence and control. I am concerned, Professor Van Gijseghem … because you say, if I am not mistaken, that pedophilia is a sexual orientation.”
“That is what I said,” Van Gijseghem reiterated.
Lemay then asked if pedophilia could be compared to homosexuality.
“Yes, or heterosexuality,” responded Van Gijseghem. “If, for instance, you were living in a society where heterosexuality is proscribed or prohibited and you were told that you had to get therapy to change your sexual orientation, you would probably say that that is slightly crazy. In other words, you would not accept that at all. I use this analogy to say that, yes indeed, pedophiles do not change their sexual orientation.”
Dr. Quinsey, professor emeritus of psychology at Queen’s University, gave similar testimony.
“There is no evidence that this sort of preference can be changed through treatment or through anything else,” he said. “You can manage the risk that sex offenders present – even pedophiles. It’s not necessarily that they need to change their sexual orientation; they need to learn to control themselves, with our help.”
Lemay countered by saying: “In my opinion, society and no one around this table will accept pedophilia, even if it is a sexual orientation. I recall a period, not too long ago, when homosexuality was treated as an illness. It is now accepted, society has accepted it … I cannot imagine pedophilia being accepted in 2011. You are telling me that even if we were to impose a five-year minimum on people it would not solve the problem. Once they get out of jail, they reoffend. That is worrisome.”
Brian Lilley, a columnist writing for the Toronto Sun, expressed shock at the doctors’ testimony, saying “It’s time to take our country back by ignoring the experts.”
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