Misrepresenting the “MAP” Literature Does Little to Advance Child Abuse Prevention: A Critical Commentary and Response to Farmer, Salter, and Woodlock

Abstract

In a recent paper published in Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Farmer et al. purport to have critically examined the academic use of the term “Minor Attracted Persons” (MAPs) in published social science research. In the paper, their stated aims are to “understand how this body of scholarship defines and uses the terminology of MAP, conceptualizes sexual interest in minors, and its relationship with child sex offending, and the implications for child protection and safeguarding” (p. 4079). However, we believe that there are significant problems in their handling of this topic, their depth of analysis, and the selective reporting of research in the review that may demonstrate an inherent confirmation bias.