Uzel: Doma u počítače pedofil nikomu neublíží - iDNES.cz Je spousta pedofilů, kteří za celý život nepřijdou do konfliktu se zákonem. Svou sexuální úchylku dokážou transformovat do různých užitečných aktivit. Můžou se třeba stát spisovateli dětské literatury nebo i oblíbeným vedoucím zájmových kroužků. Je také velké množství pedofilů, o kterých to nikdo z rodiny ani blízkých příbuzných celý život neví. Tento člověk na dítě ani jednou nesáhne, a to i bez pomoci lékařů. Někdo to prostě dokáže. A well-known, and often controversial Czech sexuologist, Dr. Radim Uzel (whose name, meaning 'knot', probably contributes to his notoriety - just like that of a former TV marriage counselor Plzák [slimer]) has this to say on the subject of sexual deviancy such as pedophilia. Whether he is right or not, the interview is remarkable for views often uttered by experts in public in the English-speaking world. This is another example of the complex matrix of views and attitudes towards sexuality Czechs navigate in their discourse and behavior - a blend of openness and conservatism. The former being exemplified by things like this interview or availability of pornography and the latter by attitudes toward same-sex partnerships or use of condoms. Below is a translation of the relevant passage:

Title: Uzel: At home, at his computer, a pedophile doesn't harm anybody - iDNES.cz Q: Are all pedophiles dangerous?

A: Certainly not. There are lots of pedophiles who never in their life get into a conflict with the law. They can transform their sexual deviation into a variety of useful activities. They can become writers of children's literature or even popular leaders of children's interest clubs.

There is also a large number of pedophiles about whose problem nobody from their family or friends has any idea for their entire life. Such a person never even touches a child, even without the help of doctors. Some people can simply do it.

The interviewer also asked if pedophilia was something people are born with, the answer was yes. Another question was Uzel's views on criminalizing child pornography. His answer: "This is controversial." On the one hand, a pedophile sitting at a computer is no danger to anybody and availability of such materials can even lead to a decrease in crime. On the other hand, children were harmed in the creation of such pornography, so this is a case of "mediated guilt". Another question: Is it possible that outlawing child pornography will spur pedophiles into real action. Answer:

A: I don't think so. They don't really even need the pictures. Human imagination is remarkably rich. [end of interview]

The above interview is related to another story which I only became aware of after I posted the first part of this blog. Here's an extensive extract from the article on Radio.cz.

Child porn consumers safe from prosecution in the Czech Republic - 09-02-2007 - Radio Prague Austrian police this week busted a huge international pornography network involving more than 2,360 suspects from 77 countries. Sixty-three Czechs were among those who downloaded child-porn from paid-web sites but shockingly enough the Austrians can expect little cooperation from the Czech police. The Czech Republic is one of the few countries in Europe where it is not a criminal offence to download or possess child pornography which means that the suspects will get off scot-free. While members of the porn network in other states can expect to spend at least two years in jail, the sixty three Czech paedophiles have nothing to worry about. Under Czech law only the production and distribution of child-porn is considered a criminal offense. Sex therapist Petr Weiss explains why he feels that this is legitimate: "Every civilized country protects children from premature sex and so the production of child porn is, of course, punishable. But on the other hand, child porn can help pedophiles to fulfill their deviant needs on the fantasy level and therefore they do not need to put into practice their pedophile urges. So abuse of children may actually decrease with the use of child porn." However the demand for child porn is what keeps the wheels of the child porn business turning and more and more children are being abused or even killed in the process. Petr Weiss says that with present day technology there are other options which would help pedophiles and protect children.

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