Professor Resigns After Saying Its Not Immoral For Adults To Be Sexually Attracted To Children

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https://dailycaller.com/2021/11/25/old- ... -children/



Professor Resigns After Saying Its Not Immoral For Adults To Be Sexually Attracted To Children


A Virginia university professor who claimed it was not immoral for adults to be sexually attracted to children has resigned following criticisms.

The Old Dominion University (ODU) announced Wednesday Allyn Walker, 34, will be stepping down from his position
as an assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice beginning in May of 2022. Until then, Walker will be on leave, according to the university.

“We have concluded this outcome is the best way to move forward,” President of ODU Brian O. Hemphill said. “We hope today’s action helps bring closure for our Monarch family. As we move forward, I encourage all members
of the Monarch family to continue our efforts toward healing and civil discourse.”

Walker said his scholarship “aims to prevent child sexual abuse” and that his research was “mischaracterized by some in the media and online, partly on the basis of my trans identity.”

A statement from Old Dominion University. #ODU pic.twitter.com/XcuXr3zJlS

— Old Dominion University (ODU) November 16, 2021

Walker’s book, “A Long, Dark Shadow: Minor-Attracted People and Their Pursuit of Dignity,” challenged “widespread assumptions that persons who are preferentially attracted to minors – often referred to as ‘pedophiles’ – are necessarily also predators or sex offenders.” (RELATED: Ex-Teacher Who Allegedly Asked Students To Touch Themselves In Front Of Class Charged With Over A Dozen Sex Crimes). Newsweek subscription offers >

Amid the controversy over the research, Walker had the support of other academics. Barf

More than 60 professors in sexual abuse prevention, mental health, human sexuality and criminology signed a letter to the ODU's administration defending Walker's "important and ground-breaking" scholarship.

"The public backlash reflects a misunderstanding and mischaracterization of Walker's research," the letter said.

It added, "we urge you to consider the dire ramifications for academic freedom," from removing a professor from their post "because the topic of their research is emotionally charged, uncomfortable to discuss, and difficult to understand."

Walker has agreed to stay on administrative leave before stepping down in May 2022.

The book looks at the “lives of non-offending minor-attracted persons,” which is a term used to describe the group because it is less stigmatizing than a word like “pedophile,” Walker said in an interview with Prostasia Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on child protection along with an “evidence-based approach” to child sex abuse prevention, according to the site.

Walker said in a statement that “child sexual abuse is morally wrong and inexcusable crime.”

Walker, who identifies as transgender, had been assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at ODU since 2019, according to WTKR.

Walker earned a Ph.D. in criminal justice at John Jay College and the Graduate Center at the City University of New York, according to Research Gate which said they completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Utah Criminal Justice Center at the University of Utah.