PSA
TW: Paedophilia
It’s come to my attention again that the word ‘paedophile sympathiser’ has been thrown at someone for their creation. I am not naming people involved, don’t ask me too. I just need to say something about this whole thing that is happening in fandom.
I’ve said before how throwing hate on anon is NOT okay under any circumstances, but it’s ESPECIALLY NOT OKAY when it’s to accuse someone of shipping something paedophilic, or to call someone a paedophile or a sympathiser of paedophiles. Do you know why?
BECAUSE IT’S NOT PAEDOPHILIA!
Do you guys have ANY IDEA how offensive this is to people who are victims of paedophila? Erasing their experiences by comparing it to a CONSENTING, LOVING, APPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP? Do you have any idea how HURTFUL it is to the artist? Who has innocently shared A BEAUTIFUL fic or piece of art or ANY CREATION AT ALL to be told that they are that disgusting?! DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT PAEDOPHILIA ACTUALLY IS?!
First of all, I need to state for my own peace of mind, Paedophilia is a registered psychiatric disorder. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT’S AN EXCUSE. I’m just stating, it’s recognised as a disorder.
Second; It’s HORRIBLE. It’s actually defined as having sexual feelings towards PRE-PUBESCENT CHILDREN. THAT is what a paedophile is. Someone who is sexually attracted to children who haven’t gone through puberty ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY.
NONE OF THE SHIPS I’VE SEEN HAVE CHARACTERS PRE-PUBERTY!!!!
They have age differences, they have interesting dynamics, they sometimes explore topics that people aren’t comfortable with, and sometimes both characters are under the age of legal consent, BUT THEY ARE NOT PAEDOPHILIC! THE DEFINITION IS THERE FOR YOU TO SEE YOU BLITHERING IDIOTS!
You think you’re helping cleanse the space from harmful material, but let me tell you, as someone who regularly comes into contact with people who have experienced paedophilic advances, this is FUCKING OFFENSIVE! Yes to the wonderful authors and artists that create this fantastic content for us, BUT ALSO TO THE VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND OTHERS OUT THERE WHO STILL BARE THE SCARS OF GENUINE PAEDOPHILIC ATTENTION (not that every paedophile acts on their attraction, some quietly take themselves to therapy and for that, we thank you!).
STOP trying to be helpful, STOP SENDING ANON HATE. STOP BRANDING PEOPLE AS THINGS THAT YOU (thankfully) WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND.
These ships are usually written as consenting relationships. They might have some interesting dynamics that you don’t agree with. They might squick you out and you might not agree with the age differences. BUT KINDLY MOVE THE FUCK ON AND STOP BRANDING PEOPLE AS PAEDOHPILES OR SMYPATHISERS WHEN YOU ARE LITERALLY TALKING SHIT.