Decriminalize Paraphilias - Why though?

Abstract

Paraphilias are disorders of sexual preferences. Paraphilias cause
serious distress and impairment to the suffering individual. Stigma
around the illness makes treatment inaccessible. Paraphilic behaviors
often lead to crimes. Most of the paraphilias are as such punishable by
law. Thus, the persons with paraphilia are often found in prisons and not
in hospitals. Although paraphilias are considered as psychiatric
illnesses, there is less emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation of
individuals with these illnesses. While safety of victims is a priority,
decriminalization of paraphilias is a debatable issue.