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Popular interest

• Child pornography trial begins against German ex-lawmaker Sebastian Edathy

The trial of former German politician Sebastian Edathy has begun. Over the past year, child pornography allegations have destroyed the career of the once-rising star in Germany's SPD Party. (Deutsche Welle)

• 5 Ways We Misunderstand Pedophilia (That Makes it Worse)

Pedophilia is almost a total mystery to modern science. We don't know what causes it, or how to prevent it, or how to cure it (short of a form of castration), because the moment a test subject admits they're a pedophile, they're ruined for life. Why would anyone ever come forward? Thus, society's insistence on taking the harshest possible position winds up exacerbating the problem. (Robert Evans et al. - Cracked , US)

• Pro-pedophile association loses EU court bid

The European Court of Human Rights rejected a complaint by pedophile advocacy association Martijn against the ban Dutch courts imposed on the group last year. The organization will remain prohibited, and the court will not hear the case, reported ANP. (Hanna Daych - NL Times, NL)

• U.S. House passes International Megan's Law sponsored by N.J. Rep. Chris Smith

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to extend Megan's Law beyond American borders.( Jonathan D. Salant - NJ Advance Media, US)

• Spain set to raise age of consent from 13 to 15

The Spanish government is considering raising the age of sexual consent from 13 to 15 in a reform of the country’s penal code, in a bid to limit child sexual abuse. (Jessica Jones - The Local, Spain)

• Child protection makes suspects of us all

Once, children had to be accompanied by adults to attend certain events. Now, in a bizarre turn of events, it seems the opposite is true. (Rossa Minogue - spiked, UK)

• Child-abuse inquiry: no way to the truth

A culture of mistrust in Westminster meant this inquiry was doomed to unravel. (Frank Furedi - spiked, UK)

• Why the Sayreville Bombers Shouldn't be Prosecuted

The “Sex Offender” Regime is Cruel and Unusual Punishment (Judith Levine - CounterPunch, US)

• Robul Hoque: sentenced for a thought crime

Since when has possessing weird cartoons been a criminal offence? (Rossa Minogue - spiked, UK)

• Child porn charges against artist Paul Yore dismissed, Visual Arts association welcomes decision

THE peak group representing Australian artists has welcomed the Magistrates’ Court’s dismissal of child porn charges against artist Paul Yore, who walked free this morning. (Dana McCauley - Port Phillip Leader, AU)

• Sex Offender Laws Have Gone Too Far

Our draconian policies about sex offenses reflect our ignorance of them. (Matt Mellema, Chanakya Sethi, and Jane Shim - Slate, US)

• Paedophile panics: an unhealthy obsession

Podcast: Frank Furedi, Barbara Hewson and Luke Gittos on the latest scandals. (spiked podcast - spiked, UK)