The normalization of pedophilia sounds like an absurd concept for many because pedophilia has always been frowned upon and most believe that pedophiles are deserving of the harshest punishment. Unfortunately, times are changing, and there are activists who work to push the normalization of pedophilia by calling pedophiles “minor-attracted persons” or citing “consent” as a reason to normalize such acts.

Pro-life organization Live Action recently reported that the United Nations has effectively called for the decriminalization of all sex acts between adults and children. In the article, it cites the UN report as follows:

“Sexual conduct involving persons below the domestically prescribed minimum age of consent to sex may be consensual, in fact, if not in law. In this context, the enforcement of criminal law should reflect the rights and capacity of persons under 18 years of age to make decisions about engaging in consensual sexual conduct and their right to be heard in matters concerning them. Pursuant to their evolving capacities and progressive autonomy, persons under 18 years of age should participate in decisions affecting them, with due regard to their age, maturity and best interests, and with specific attention to non-discrimination guarantees.”

This statement from the UN is concerning.

First, a child cannot consent to sexual behavior. A child must be manipulated and groomed to think that sexual behavior is normal. With most children having open access to the Internet and social media, grooming them into inappropriate relationships with adults has become easier than ever. Social media apps like Snapchat gives pedophiles free range to prey on children due to the app’s feature of disappearing messages. Many encounters start with conversations over social media that lead to in-person meetings, and parents have no idea this happens.

Second, normalizing pedophilia puts children at risk no matter where they may be. It has become common to see headlines of public school teachers being arrested over inappropriate relationships with students. The New York Post recently reported, “At least six female teachers were arrested in a span of two days … for having sex with students.” Parents tend to send their children to school thinking they can trust school administrators and teachers who educate their children for most of the day and week. No parent intentionally takes their child to a school where their child will be groomed and molested by a teacher. Normalizing pedophilia could increase the number of pedophiles specifically looking for employment that allows them to be near children.

Third, children who have been victims of pedophiles don’t live a normal childhood. Their childhood is tainted with trauma, shame, and fear. Normalizing pedophilia would increase the number of children affected by such heinous acts. This increase would lead to a rise in mental illness and a rise in the number of children or adults who would be put on medication to deal with their mental health.

Children must be protected at all costs. We cannot allow our country to become a safe space for those who prey on our children’s innocence and vulnerability.

(Updated)