I've been wondering how the Galactic Alliance treats pedophiles who want help with, well, not being pedophiles anymore... -- Anon Guest
[AN: Eliminating pedophilia in its entirety begins with not normalising the sexualisation of younger bodies, infantilising sex play(and partners), the eradication of most, if not all, adult characteristics in adult partners, and so on. Once it's not culturally normalised, the entire predilection may also vanish. So let's take this as a statistical anomaly in the future of my dreams]
The first step to getting help with a problem is recognising it as a problem. Throughout history, people like Van had justified their appetites by pointing at a distant point in the past when it was all allegedly perfectly normal.
Pre-shattering Humans pointed to the Medieval lords. Medieval lords pointed to the ancient Romans, who pointed to the Greeks, who pointed to another distant people less able to defend themselves. Back and back and back, to before the time of the written word. It was never normal. It was people who only cared to take what they wanted, who used the actions of other such statistical outliers to justify what they did.
At least Van was willing to admit she was a monster. At least she was willing to state as much in her own words and out of her own mouth. Worse monsters would jump through hoops and history to make their lusts perfectly normal. I was sure to tell Van as much. She had taken the first step. As a Therapist, it is my job to help her through all the subsequent steps.
Some monsters join Pax Humanis. Humans are reasonably good at making monsters like them. The ones who become Pax Humanis Enforcers are born like that. Most of the monsters like Van are created by the monsters who taught them their peculiarities. Van didn't have anyone who made her. I was sure of that. Her carers and guardians always respected her and her body. She was just always attracted to younger people.
Van had reached a point in her life where acting on her attractions was starting to become a compulsion. She knew it was wrong. She didn't seek explanations. She didn't seek justification. She sought me.
Cataloguing her life and her attractions was just one step among many. History has taught mediks everywhere that changing the inherent nature of a person was harmful to their overall health.
You cannot teach a left-handed person to be right-handed. Not without consequences. You cannot teach a homosexual person to be straight. You cannot teach a genderqueer person to be cis. Attempts to do any of the above leave lasting mental scars on the unfortunate victims. Though technology has changed, mental health Mediks are loath to use it on anyone's mind.
First, above all, do no harm.
"We can make an environment where you will not be dangerous to younger cogniscents," I offered. "Or, if you wish to -ah- hack your brain, the B'Nari offer some implants and coding. I would not recommend the latter, as all prior attempts to reconfigure how the brain operates have resulted in disaster for the patient."
Van sat shocked. "How much time do I have to decide?"
That was a good question. "Most patients choose to begin with living safely," I said. "Many choose to stay there after reading up on the treatment alternatives. It is advisable to at least begin with living safely."
"Then we should start there. I want to make sure the children are safe."
I said, "That's a good decision."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / sorsillo]
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