I'm really glad to see someone say this, actually. I think it's too easy to think all pedophiles are horrible people who choose to hurt children. Not to say that they generally don't. But I have thought for a while that the attraction is probably not something they can help. What they CAN and MUST do is protect children from themselves.

I even have some sympathy for people with this affliction, until they hurt anyone because of it. I imagine it feels similar to how queer people felt when they had to hide their orientation and were considered sick. The HUGE difference is that queer people can live the life they want with other consenting adults. A child cannot consent, so a pedophile must not act on their desires. And I imagine that really sucks. But that's the way it is.

I could see using a different name than "pedophile" if what we are really talking about here is people who feel that attraction but who are putting in the work to make sure they don't hurt anyone. But I kinda doubt it.