It has the Twitter universe up in arms, the comments section on Amazon.com flooded with angry messages, and now an online petition. So, what’s causing all the anger?
“The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child Lover’s Code of Conduct.” As you would bet, a book with a title like that has people are nothing short of stunned.
“It’s offensive. It’s dangerous. It’s on a Kindle”, exclaimed Bernita Mirisola of the Upper East Side. “It’s out there to the masses. I’m very upset by it.
Everyone seems to be upset by the book -- that is, everyone except 47-year-old Phillip Grieves II of Pueblo, Colorado.
“To tell you the truth I don’t think it’s always bad for the child”, Grieves told reporters. “But I do think it’s always confining for the adult because there are just so many more things that adults can enjoy with each other that they can enjoy with a child without hurting the child.”
The screed, which is only available through amazon.com as an e-book on the kindle, has been on sale since October 28th, but it wasn’t until today when the angry comments flooded in and a petition was started that Grieves sold any copies. 72 were bought by the time we spoke with him that evening.
“I’m saying, if you’re going to be in this situation handle it this way because this way is less traumatizing to the child than what could’ve occurred otherwise without using those principles,” argued Grieves.
One in four girls and one in six boys are molested before the age of 18 in this country, according to Anthony Zenkus, of the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect. Zenkus says he’s troubled by the assumption in Grieves’ book that pedophiles don’t always hurt their victims, but rather that they “are always putting the juveniles pleasure and happiness first.”
“Whether or not the act is physically harmful for a child,” explains Zenkus, “it’s psychologically and socially harmful for a child.”
Over the phone Wednesday night, NBCNewYork asked Grieves the following questions: “Did you have a sexual experience with an adult when you were a child? As an adult have you had a sexual experience with a child? Grieves answered both questions with a “no.” Then we asked what makes him knowledgeable on this subject? He answered, “projection.”
In a statement to CNBC, Amazon.com said, "Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions."
If you were abused, or know someone who was, there are a number of resources available to you. Here are some of the website’s of groups here in New York where help can be found.
The Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect:: http://www.ccanli.org/
American Humane Association: http://www.americanhumane.org/
Children’s Rights: http://www.childrensrights.org/
Safe Horizon: http://www.safehorizon.org/index.php/
