‘Minor-Attracted Person’: Inside The Growing Effort To Destigmatize Pedophilia

Earlier this month, an Old Dominion University (ODU) professor of sociology and criminal justice, Allyn Walker, brought global attention to a newer term, “Minor-Attracted Persons” or “MAPs” for short, within a greater argument that pedophiles shouldn’t be ostracized for their urges. Although ODU seemingly initially defended the comments, they eventually placed Walker on administrative leave. Walker, a transgender male, goes by they/them pronouns.

In the controversial interview with the Prostasia Foundation, an activist group seeking to destigmatize pedophilia, Walker discussed her book, “A Long Dark Shadow: Minor Attracted People and Their Pursuit of Dignity,” and claimed that the stigma associated with attraction to minors was harmful — not just to the pedophile, but potentially to children.