If someone comes to us and confesses that he or she abused a minor in the past, but that minor is now over the age of 18, we are not required to report that situation. If someone comes to us and tells us that they are attracted to minors but have not acted upon those attractions, we are required to uphold confidentiality and will help that participant receive the help that he or she needs. Although it is true that we are mandated reporters of suspected acts of child abuse, we are also legally obligated to uphold confidentiality in situations that are not reportable. He was able to move forward without receiving a parole violation or harming an innocent person. He hadn’t harmed the minor at that point, but he was afraid he would have if the situation continued. He explained that he knew he wasn’t supposed to be involved in this type of situation, but he couldn’t stop. After he was confronted by his parole officer, he called to thank me. One time I had to report a counseling client for violating the terms of his parole by spending time with a minor. I’ve gotten angry responses from a few of those people and their family members. I’ve had to make some of these difficult calls through the years. That means if we suspect that someone has abused a child who is currently under the age of 18, we are legally obligated to report that situation to child protective services and/or law enforcement officials. Counselors and ministry team members are mandated reporters for suspected acts of child abuse. I have to mention one of the biggest challenges that those who are attracted to minors face when they consider getting help the fear of incarceration.
Some of them have been brave enough to share their stories with others and help them find freedom and transformation in Christ. I’ve seen Jesus transform the hearts of these precious, men and women – whom many would label as the worst sinners of all – into bright lights for His glory and grace. Others hadn’t acted on their desires, but were already imprisoned in condemnation and shame. Some acted on their attractions and spent time in the legal system. Through my past twenty years of involvement with Reconciliation Ministries, I’ve had the privilege of seeing Jesus work in the hearts of men and women who were brave enough to admit their sexual attractions to children and come for help. Jesus Christ can transform your heart and help you overcome attractions to minors.” That is the voice you will hear from Reconciliation Ministries of Michigan. This group desperately needs to hear the voice of the fourth group that says something like, “We hear that you exist and are wrestling with attractions towards something that is very devastating for those involved. This group often struggles in silence and isolation. It takes a lot of guts for someone to admit that he or she is struggling with attractions that understandably illicit strong negative reactions in the hearts of most people. They are the voice saying things like, “I am a minor attracted person, but I do not want to act upon my attractions.
That voice comes from those who admit that they are sexually attracted to minors however, they see such attractions as problematic and believe that engaging in those attractions is to be avoided at all costs. There is another voice coming from those who are acknowledging the concept of minor attracted persons. They are working to normalize the concept of “minor attracted persons” in much the same way that homosexuality and transgenderism have been normalized over the years. It comes from the camp promoting pedophilia (sexual desires directed towards pre-pubescent children), hebephilia (sexual attraction towards those in early adolescence), and ebophilia (sexual attraction towards mid to late adolescents). Of course, that voice is completely wrong and utterly destructive. The unexpected voice that brought that response says something like, “Sex between adults and ‘consenting’ minors can be a beautiful thing”. The loudest voice on my personal social media feed shouts something like, “If you touch any of my kids, I’ll kill you.” I’ve heard this voice from Christians and unbelievers alike. This firestorm triggers a wide range of emotions. You may have heard the phrase “minor attracted person”. One of the newest cultural firestorms is in the realm of pedophilia. During this time, it’s important to keep our eyes and hearts focused on Jesus and trust Him to lead us through the storm. It’s easy to get our eyes off of Jesus and find our hearts pulled into the turmoil and confusion. Certainly there are quite a few cultural firestorms going on right now.
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