Graham

I've already addressed the HDD question elsewhere, but on the subject of the article, I think it's a good idea.

(Please will readers note that, in the following, I am using the word "paedophile" in its proper sense to mean someone who has an "attraction" to children and not in the Tabloid sense of them automatically being a "child molester")

From what I understand, there are some (not all, but a significant number) of paedophiles who are incredibly ashamed of what they do and how it makes them feel, but they are too scared to seek help to stop themselves from doing it because they're worried that if the information got out they'd risk being "denounced" etc.

(And before anyone says "but all they have to do is stop doing it!", I'd point out that that makes as much sense as telling an alcoholic to lay off the booze or a depressive to "pull themselves together", it just *isn't* that easy)

I am disappointed, therefore, that this proposed "amnesty" would still result in the person (or "man" as has been mentioned elsewhere) being put on the sex offenders register because that still leaves them open to exposure.

Any counselling should be done with the *utmost* discretion and privacy, preferably in private homes so there's no way that the Tabloids or anyone else can "out" these people who are trying to get help.

I disagree with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation's Mr Findlater's comments that "It is in the nature of human sexuality to indulge in increasingly risky behaviour and "push at boundaries", he argues. For paedophiles, this means seeking out ever more extreme material and, eventually, turning their sexual fantasies into reality."

IMO this is nonsense. Yes, *some* people may do this, but to tar everyone with the same brush is as bad as suggesting that people into BDSM will eventually get into more extreme material or even "snuff" (NB snuff movies are a *MYTH*!), this is simply *not* the case.

As the article says "John Carr, internet consultant at charity NCH Action for Children, is more cautious, saying there is no clear correlation between the seriousness of material on someone's hard drive and the likelihood that they are abusing children."

Indeed, I think, although some will certainly disagree, one of the best ways to deal with the problem is, as it says 'According to Donald Findlater, some forces have even resorted to sending out a letter to suspects saying "we know what you've been up to, stop it or face arrest".'

For some paedophiles, this warning may be enough to cause them to stop what they're doing.

In short, I support the idea of the Amnesty, but it would have to be run with great sensitivity to avoid simply driving the problem further underground.