
Have you heard of the term MAP? Charlie Wolfe talks to people who are sexually attracted to children and admit it openly on their social media profiles.
A community of non-offending paedophiles who describe themselves as “MAPs” or “NOMAPs” are using social media as an online support group.
The term MAP/NOMAP stands for “minor attracted person” or “non-offensive minor attracted person” is used in their social media profiles to find each other online.
Many people who identify as MAP’s are using the website Twitter as a support network.
But most of the MAPs interviewed on Twitter said to have not sought any professional treatment.
Andrew, 23, a university student from England realised of his attraction to children almost two years ago:
“I saw an article about Todd [Nickerson] and Gary [Gibson], two out paedophiles, and realised I felt those same feelings. I instantly could see crushes I had previously on kids, it was a pretty crazy time.
“I am attracted to adults too, but it’s fairly rare and not as strong. Like, Britney Spears and Shakira are attractive, but a random seven year old is most likely going to be more attractive to me.”
Andrew says despite his attraction to children he would like to find a partner who is accepting and to have children of his own in the future.
“There are quite a few MAPs with accepting partners or kids if you look around,” he said.
“I am hoping my current 18 year old crush might go somewhere. I have seen pics of her at 14 or 15 years old, and I can say with sad certainty she is less physically attractive to me now than then.”
Many MAPs said to have been using the social media website Tumblr as an online community but claimed to have gotten removed at the same time as the Tumblr December 2018 adult content ban resulting in them using Twitter instead.
Charity’s like StopSo UK offer therapy for “to anyone worried about their sexual thoughts before they offend” but they do not receive much funding.
Juliet Grayson, Psychosexual Therapist and Chair of StopSO said:
“We believe that therapy should be provided free-of-charge to all perpetrators asking for help who cannot afford to pay for themselves, as a cost-effective way of reducing sexual offending in the UK.
“But we are currently having to turn away 20% of those who approach us due to lack of funds.”
Over 1700 people asked @StopSO_UK for help during 2018. If you are worried about your sexual thoughts/behaviour visit https://t.co/NCw5IyoWmI or call 07473 299883 for further information on how we can help you. 89% of people asking for help self-referred. #1417StopSO
— StopSO UK (@StopSO_UK) January 2, 2019
Animated child porn was made illegal in the UK under the Consultation on the Possession of Non-Photographic Visual Depictions of Child Sexual Abuse Act, but Andrew believes it has made the situation worse.
“I think CP[Child pornography] is an issue for people in the community, I couldn’t say how many but I’m actively supportive in the community and know a few who will speak to me in hypotheticals, looking to stop,” said Andrew.
“People do break the law to satisfy their libido. I’d much rather there were legal options available… And making people criminals on the sex offenders registry for looking at drawings… is completely excessive.”
Todd Nickerson, 45, from the USA is a political activist and virtuous paedophile who moderates the website VirPed.org, an online forum for non-offending paedophiles seeking help.
Nickerson gained attention online after he featured in a YouTube video by Barcroft TV speaking about his campaign for fair treatment for non-offending paedophiles.
When questioned on this recent development on Twitter he said:
“Online communities are essential for NOMAPs. Having a community of like-minded people who understand you and support your need to stay legal is the best insurance against offending.
“It’s when we become isolated, stressed and fatalistic that offences happen…”
He explains that he believes the term MAP was “coined by paedophilia experts” but many think it was created by paedophiles to “somehow trick the public” causing controversy online.
This has led to people reporting MAP/NOMAP profiles as inappropriate on Twitter to get them banned and a lot of outraged tweets asking for action to be taken against people identifying as MAPs on Twitter.
There's TONS of pedophiles on twitter rn using the #nomap and #map hashtags. It's horrifying. They came here after the Tumblr changes.
— Valentinya (@DM_ME_YOUR_CATS) December 28, 2018
Listen here if you're a NoMAP, it's not okay. You need help. I'm being serious. It can't be compared to the LGBT community because it's not a sexuality. A gay person can have a life with someone. A lesbian can have a life with someone. You can't have a life with a child.
— Chef Birdardee (@Chef_Birdardee) December 28, 2018
Some of these profiles use the term AOA, “Age of attraction” stating the ages of children they are attracted too, making other Twitter users feel uncomfortable.
Adrian, 21 from Russia is a MAP supporter: “It’s mostly a tradition for those who came from Tumblr,” he said.
“I personally put mine there out of solidarity and to remind people that an AOA [Age of attractions] is a universal concept.
Further anger has been spread online as pro LGBT paedophile posters and LGBT Paedophile flags have been shared online claiming that MAPs are trying to join the LGBT community.