Category: Research News

Call for Proposals for 2018 Research Symposium

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Research on Minor-Attracted People: Expanding the Focus
Saturday, September 22, 2018 (note this is a change in date)
Baltimore, MD
Keynote Speaker: Jill Levenson, PhD, MSW, LCSW, Professor of Social Work, Barry University

Proposals Due: Friday, May 25, 2018

Theme: Expanding the Focus

This day-long symposium will facilitate the exchange of ideas among researchers, scholars, mental health professionals, minor-attracted people, and others who have an interest in research on people who are attracted to children or adolescents (MAPs). A growing number of researchers and practitioners are realizing the inadequacy of common perceptions of MAPs and the importance of studies that move beyond abuse prevention toward understanding the development and well-being of MAPs. The symposium will address critical issues in the following areas:

  1. Identity development, mental health, and other MAP-centered issues
  2. Treatment approaches that go beyond prevention
  3. Funding of research and dissemination of findings
  4. Educating practitioners and students in mental health and human sexuality about MAPs
  5. Understanding and changing media portrayals and public perceptions of MAPs

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jill Levenson, PhD, MSW, LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work at Barry University in Miami, FL, and a clinical social worker in practice in South Florida. Her current research focuses on understanding the obstacles to help-seeking for MAPs, as well as their perspectives on their counseling needs. As a scientist-practitioner and an advocate for human rights and social justice, her ultimate goal is to combat stigma by preparing and training therapists to provide ethical, competent, compassionate care for MAPs.

Proposal Submission Process

B4U-ACT is soliciting proposals from researchers, scholars, practitioners, and minor-attracted people. Each presentation should address one or more of the five areas listed above, and can be in any of the following formats:

  1. Paper presentation: 30 minutes, followed by 10 minute Q&A/discussion
  2. Panel discussion: 3-5 panelists, 45 minutes, followed by 15 minute Q&A/discussion
  3. Round table discussion: 30 minutes

The symposium registration fee will be waived for presenters whose proposals are accepted.

Please submit your proposal via email to symposium@b4uact.org using your institutional email address. Include your name and affiliation in the body of the email, and attach current CVs of all authors, panel members, or discussion leaders in Word or PDF format. In addition, please attach the following as a Word or PDF file:

[list type=unordered extra=]
[list_item]For a paper presentation, attach a 400-500 word abstract outlining the purpose, theoretical perspective, methodology, findings, and/or intended results. Include a title and list of authors at the beginning of the abstract, and sample references at the end.[/list_item]
[list_item]For a panel discussion, attach a titled 100-200 word description of the topic to be addressed by the panel. Follow this by the name of each panel member with a short description of his or her perspective or area of expertise relevant to the topic.[/list_item]
[list_item]For a round table discussion, attach a titled 100-200 word description of the discussion topic with sample discussion questions or other information about how the discussion will be structured.[/list_item]
[/list]

The deadline for submission of presentation proposals is May 25, 2018, and notification of acceptance will occur by June 15.

If you have any questions, contact symposium@b4uact.org.

Proposal Review Committee

Russell Dick, LCSW-C
Co-founder & Chairperson, B4U-ACT, Inc.
Director of Social Work (retired), Springfield Hospital Center, Sykesville, MD

Richard Kramer
Science and Education Director, B4U-ACT, Inc.

Maggie Ingram, MHS
Johns Hopkins University
Department of Mental Health

Allyson Walker, Ph.D.
University of Utah
College of Social Work

John Thorne, MHS
Johns Hopkins University
Department of Mental Health

German study examines prevalence of attraction to children

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A team of researchers have published a study in the August 2015 issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior in which they found that “In an online survey of 8,718 German men, 4.1% reported sexual fantasies involving prepubescent children, 3.2% reported sexual offending against prepubescent children, and 0.1% reported a pedophilic sexual preference.” The study makes a clear distinction between prepubescent children and children who have reached puberty, and does not address the number of people attracted to the latter.

Newly published study points out irrational public attitudes toward MAPs

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A few researchers are continuing the encouraging trend of recognizing and studying the harmful stigma that MAPs face. A study published in the January 2015 issue of the premier sexology journal Archives of Sexual Behavior documents what MAPs already know: that there are “high degrees of punitive attitudes” toward MAPs regardless of their behavior, and that these attitudes are increased by “the clinical label pedophilia.” The report’s author also points out that “unlike any other stigma we know of,” the public sees it as particularly socially desirable to condemn MAPs. Unfortunately, the author overlooks the fact that his own use of the unnecessary and derogatory word “deviant” contributes to stigma. In spite of this shortcoming, the study makes an important contribution to the scientific literature on MAPs.

The report, entitled “Punitive Attitudes Against Pedophiles or Persons With Sexual Interest in Children: Does the Label Matter?” by Roland Imhoff, can be found here.