We can’t choose our fantasies, but we can choose what to do with them.
Support services to reduce emotional suffering associated with sexual fantasies towards minors.
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The origin of the project
Mission
Ça suffit is for people who are suffering from sexual fatasies towards minors. Our mission is to provide support services to reduce the emotional distress experianced by these individuals and to prevent sexual offences.
Here are a few misconceptions that are often raised in discussions with our users and which are completely refutable.
“I have sexually assaulted minors so I am a pedophile”
In the public, the term pedophile is often misused to refer to anyone who sexually assaults a child, whereas in fact a minority of those who sexually assault minors meet the criteria for a diagnosis of pedophilia. Finally, the majority of paedophiles have never committed sexual offences and, conversely, only a minority of sexual abusers are paedophiles. Finally, the majority of paedophiles have never committed sexual offences and, conversely, only a minority of sexual abusers are paedophiles. It is also important to differentiate between pedophilia (attraction to prepubescent children) and hebephilia (attraction to pubescent children).
Finally, some people, although they have committed sexual offences against children, have a sexual attraction that is not limited to children. They may also be sexually attracted to adults.
“I have problematic sexual interests so I have a mental health problem”
People with problematic sexual fantasies can be anyone (lover, ex-boyfriend, neighbour, friend, family member, etc.). For the vast majority, these people function normally in society. Following treatment, a minority of these people will commit a sexual offence.
“I consume images of sexual exploitation of minors on the Internet so I am not harming a real child”
Some people may feel that there was no crime because it happened at a distance (on the Internet) and not in person. However, exposing oneself on the Internet, inciting minors to do so, or viewing sexually explicit images/videos of minors is no less serious than assaulting a child in real life.
It is a sexual offence, in the same way as a sexual offence against a physical victim, since the context in which the images/videos were produced constitutes a context of abuse.
“I have fantasies about underage boys, therefore I am homosexual or bisexual”
People with problematic sexual fantasies can be male or female; heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual; in a relationship or single; of any ethnic group; or of varying socio-economic status.
“I am a man, so I am not able to control my sexual urges.”
Sexual assault is a multifactorial phenomenon, but it is not a problem of uncontrollable sexual urges. Everyone is able to control their actions. Similarly, a large majority (between 70% and 80%) of child sex offences are said to be premeditated, which runs counter to the thesis of the drives and lack of control of child sex offenders. Women can also be responsible for sexual assault.
Hall, R.C.W. and Hall, R.C.W. (2009). “A profile of pedophilia: Definition, characteristics of offenders, recidivism, treatment outcomes, and forensic issues”. Focus: The journal of lifelong learning in psychiatry, 7(4), 522–537.
Inspired by the “Stop It Now!” helpline established in 2002 in the United Kingdom, Ça suffit is its Quebec adaptation. Stop It Now! UK was founded thanks to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a child protection charity dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse. The Ça suffit team worked with Stop It Now! UK to provide a French version of their content.
