Statement regarding Johns Hopkins faculty member’s participation in Aug. 17 B4U-ACT conference

There has been significant misinformation circulating about Fred Berlin, M.D., Ph.D., director of Johns Hopkins’ Sexual Behavior Consultation Unit, and his recent participation at a conference in Baltimore.

As an international expert in sexual disorders, Dr. Berlin speaks routinely at conferences in his role as an individual and as an expert in these matters. In this role, Dr. Berlin speaks for himself, and not as a representative of Johns Hopkins. Dr. Berlin is unequivocally opposed to any sexual actions between adults and children. In no way does he advocate pedophilia, but rather he believes in getting appropriate help for people attracted to minors in order to prevent them from acting on their impulses. He argues that a distinction should and must be made between individuals with pedophilia who act on their attractions and those who are attracted to minors but refrain from acting on their predilections.

Dr. Berlin believes much of the information reported about the conference has been significantly distorted. Statements made by others in attendance should not be construed as representing the views of Dr. Berlin or Johns Hopkins. He was very clear in his remarks to all who were in attendance how important it is to make every possible effort to prevent the sexual abuse of children.