My experience

In my early years I sought out a treatment program for sexual offenders, after I was assured some degree of anonymity, and asked to join. I was looking for some way of dealing with things. There were a few pedophiles but most were situational offenders also. However, everyone there was there by court order after they had been incarcerated for a crime.

When I told them about myself they began to berate me because I had never committed a crime or victimized a child. Some suggested that I was not being honest and many of them felt that I was in denial. It was explained to me that, in their opinion, just looking at a child in a sexual manner, was a form of victimization. Ridiculous!! I argued that, as a freedom, we have the right to think what we will. Do heterosexuals seek permission before having fantasies about other adults? No. Would all adults give permission to everyone that finds them attractive? No. But it is not a crime.

Anyway, I did not stay long .... and thankfully I am not in the U.S. so I have never had to be concerned about being outed as a result of my participation with this group.

DS