Challenging widespread assumptions that persons who are preferentially attracted to minors—often referred to as "pedophiles"—are necessarily also predators and sex offenders, this book takes readers into the lives of non-offending minor-attracted persons (MAPs). There is little research into non-offending MAPs, a group whose experiences offer valuable insights into the prevention of child abuse. Navigating guilt, shame, and fear, this universally maligned group demonstrates remarkable resilience and commitment to living without offending and to supporting and educating others. Using data from interview-based research, A Long, Dark Shadow offers a crucial account of the lived experiences of this hidden population.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"A Long Dark Shadow tackles an extraordinarily difficult topic—one that is misunderstood by the public, debated by scientific researchers, and contentious in clinical circles. Walker skillfully navigates the complex and delicate web of social, moral, and psychological issues in a narrative woven together with facts, personal accounts, compassion, and evidence-based recommendations. This book will help prevent harm and enhance well-being."—Jill Levenson, Professor of Social Work, Barry University

"A truly unique, important, and compelling contribution to our understanding of an extremely misunderstood and highly stigmatized group. Presented with care, empathy, and compassion."—Leigh Harkins, Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

About the Author

Allyn Walker (they / them) is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press; First edition (June 22, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 236 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0520306341
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520306349
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,236,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,006 in Human Sexuality Studies
- #1,635 in Sociology Books on Abuse
- #4,193 in Criminology (Books)

Customer Reviews:
72 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		46%
4 star		8%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		39%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Robert Blakely

There are such things as right and wrong

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2021

Being attracted to a child as an adult is deviant - whether acted upon or not. Do not normalize this.

458 people found this helpful

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Wayne & Scott Masters-Ourand

Absolutely NOT!

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021

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Just when you think the Liberals hit a new low, this book tops the cake. The preposterous suggestion or notion of normalising pedophilia is beyond sickening! It's bad enough that Liberal billionaires have exploited the World entire, they now target our children!? These perverse suggestions will NEVER be normalised, accepted or coddled in the twisted World of Liberal "inclusion." Pedophilia is a crime and will remain so to infinity! Mentally ill individuals like this endanger Society as a whole, and above all, our children! No matter what Nation you're reading this from, when you vote, remember what political ideology brought this bent mentality to the table and VOTE THESE PEOPLE OUT! These are OUR kids and they are NOT for your weird, outrageous ill ideas to exploit! Shame on you!

182 people found this helpful

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Rachel

Important book

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2021

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This book was well written and covers important topics. Anyone who bothers to actually read it will understand that understanding this group of people is essential in preventing crime.

104 people found this helpful

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Maggie I.

Important work about a poorly understood topic

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2021

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This book may not be easy for many to read, and the concepts discussed are very emotionally charged, but it is essential to our understanding of attraction to children and child sexual abuse (and where these concepts do and do not overlap). Not all people attracted to children offend against children, and not all people who offend against children are attracted to children. We cannot move forward with truly effective prevention efforts while ignoring this distinction.

87 people found this helpful

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Russell

Essential Reading

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021

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Allyn Walker's carefully researched and clearly written book explains that minor-attraction evolves like other sexual orientations. People do not choose to be minor-attracted, just as adult persons attracted to other adults did not choose whether they are attracted to men or to women--it is just who they are. Teens and young adults throughout the communities of the US and the world are realizing that they are MAPs and have nowhere to turn for education about their orientation and that they can have thoughts and feelings of attraction to minors without acting on them. Hateful and dehumanizing messages from the media and social media only forces them to live in secret without any support. This book is essential reading for everyone, particularly in college and university psychology, sociology, social work, social policy, criminal justice, and human rights courses. Highly recommended.

67 people found this helpful

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Thoughtful and groundbreaking work

Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021

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This is a groundbreaking book covering a subject that we are still very much in the dark ages on as a society in truly understanding. Walker makes a very important distinction between those who have unwanted feelings and attractions and those who actually act on them.

More controversial aspects, such as a subset of those who Walker interviewed who admitted to viewing pornography as a coping mechanism are also explored and rationalized from the perspective of the person being interviewed, but never defended.

Some of the reviews here thinking this book is normalizing abuse obviously neither read or understood anything that Walker wrote.

This book would be a great read for any person, young or old who has struggled with these feelings as a first step to finding therapists, support groups and a community that will accept them. I think therapists would also find this book very useful.

My heart aches for MAPs.
I really have to give huge props to the author for taking such a huge personal risk on talking about such a controversial issue. This book will undoubtedly help prevent abuse and hopefully lead more people to treatment.

31 people found this helpful

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Courageous study

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2021

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I picked this up after reading a news story about how the author has been ousted from their academic position after writing it. It's a safe bet that it's worth reading any book that gets people so upset that they're practically getting out pitchforks! The subject was something of a surprise to me: we hear about sex offenders in the news a lot, but people who are minor-attracted without acting on it don't generally make the news. It would appear that it's forbidden to even mention the existence of non-monsters like that, much less do an academic study on the subject. I suggest getting this book before it's banned.

27 people found this helpful

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Todd Allis

Groundbreaking Research

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022

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I was curious about this book after I saw news articles about the backlash this book received. As it turns out, those were just knee-jerk reactions.

It was very well-researched and well-written, about a minority most people would rather not even think about. More understanding of this topic will have positive effects in the world. Allyn Walker writes in an easy-to-understand style about difficult topics. I look forward to more good work from them.

8 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Maria

An important book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2021

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This is a very important piece of research that challenges readily taken-for-granted and dangerous stereotypes. This book would serve as a great starting point for students as well as professionals of various disciplines, such as mental health, sociology and criminology, and it would certainly make a useful and necessary addition to relevant university curricula. It's really surprising to see all these negative reviews; I can only assume these people haven't actually read the book.

8 people found this helpful

Azita

An avant-garde work

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2021

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This is a must-read for all , especially for mental health service providers and students in all areas of mental health. This book challenges stereotypes around one of highly stigmatized groups in our society and has been written by an academic, social worker. Highly recommended.

10 people found this helpful

Zach

Vile

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2022

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A revolting throwback to the dirty minds of Weimar Germany. This is nothing more than pedophile propaganda. The subhuman behind this book has made the headlines recently for being an open pedophile defendant. Amazon are known for banning publications that they disagree with, and the fact that this is not only for sale, but printed by Amazon UK is very telling. Avoid this book, avoid the author like the plague and report this books listing.

Walkers A Long, Dark Shadow belongs in a bonfire along with its author.

4 people found this helpful

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A Long, Dark Shadow: Minor-Attracted People and Their Pursuit of Dignity First Edition

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