The
most common form of treatment for Pedophilia is Psychotherapy or some
form of Cognitive therapy. Generally therapy will persist over a
period of several years. Results of therapy changing Pedophilic
behavior are mixed, but generally not very effective.
Behavior Modification therapy or
Aversive Conditioning is also another possible treatment. This
treatment is based on Conditioning research and attempts to help the patient "unlearn"
the inappropriate attraction to children through the use of aversive
stimuli (e.g. electric shock). This approach has also not been
very effective.
Another more extreme option for treatment is the use of medication or hormone treatment, also known as "Chemical Castration." This approach involves administering hormones to decrease the sex drive or sexual urges of the pedophile. This technique is not in widespread use in the western world, but has been shown to be somewhat effective in reducing recidivism rates in clinical trials.
Surgical castration is also a rarely given option to repeat offenders or those pleading guilty to violent rape.
Another more extreme option for treatment is the use of medication or hormone treatment, also known as "Chemical Castration." This approach involves administering hormones to decrease the sex drive or sexual urges of the pedophile. This technique is not in widespread use in the western world, but has been shown to be somewhat effective in reducing recidivism rates in clinical trials.
Surgical castration is also a rarely given option to repeat offenders or those pleading guilty to violent rape.