This is the second thread by @BlyRede that I have chosen to copy and paste, both so people on his blocklists can read it, and to preserve it should his account ever be taken down. >

This following is on the important potential role of sex education in destigmatisation, the enabling of support, and the prevention of abuse. >

"Imagine this:

At the end of a Sex Ed class for 14 year olds, the teacher, having dealt with consent and having allowed for the possibility that not everyone in the room is straight, adds,

"Now, there are other kinds of sexual thoughts too that people can have. Some of them >

> can seem pretty shocking or feel uncomfortable but there is help for those people that experience them.

"If you find that you have sexual thoughts about children or animals or other situations that really can't be acted out in real life, don't panic and don't blame yourself. >

> In the pack you take home today there is a number you can call and a site you can visit to chat to someone confidentially if you're worried. And that person will help you.

"And you can come and see me any time in my office if you have a question you need to ask about." >

> Of course, for this to be possible there would need to be such a phone line, such a chat service and there would need to be somewhere for the sex educator to refer a child that approached them about troubling sexual thoughts.

Less than a decade ago, there was almost >

> nothing by way of such resources. Now some are beginning to emerge, although by no means generally available or known about.

I hope that in another decade, young people will be able to connect to help of the kind now offered by @virpeds, @StopSO_UK and @Safer_Lives. :: >

I wrote this thread up in a lot more detail for @ProstasiaInc as a blog post... https://prostasia.org/blog/we-have-to-protect-children-even-the-ones-you-hate/"