Established in 2003, B4U-ACT is a 501(c)(3) organization run in collaboration between mental health professionals, researchers, and people who are attracted to minors.
B4U-ACT helps mental health professionals and researchers learn more about attraction to minors and to consider the effects of stereotyping, stigma, and fear. That way they can be informed before they interact with people who are attracted to minors, and before they talk, write, or make public statements about minor-attracted people.
We also work toward the day when minor-attracted people can find mental health professionals they can trust, so that those in need will be able to find help developing ways of coping with their situation or society’s attitudes about them, and learn to consider the effects of their actions on themselves and others before they react. We believe that the best way to protect children and youth in the long term (including those developing an attraction to younger children) is to promote the mental health of MAPs.
B4U-ACT holds workshops for mental health professionals and students, gives presentations at professional conferences, provides speakers for university classes, collaborates with researchers, communicates with professional organizations and journalists about the needs and rights of people who are attracted to children or adolescents, and runs support groups for both them and their friends and family members.
Our Mission
As an alliance of therapists, researchers, and MAPs, B4U-ACT’s mission is to promote a science-informed understanding about people in our communities with an attraction to children or adolescents, and to support them living in truth and dignity.
Our Vision
B4U-ACT promotes competent and effective professional services and resources for individuals (adults and adolescents) who are sexually attracted to children and adolescents through education, outreach, communication, creativity, and initiative. B4U-ACT will be a leader in the development of competent and specialized services and resources that will be sought by individuals (adults and adolescents) who are sexually attracted to children.
Read our full, official mission statement here.
Our Values
Individuals who are sexually attracted to children are the focus of everything that we do. Compassionate assistance in dealing with the difficulties of living in society with an attraction to minors is essential to our success. Integrity is never compromised. Diversity is recognized and respected.
What We Do
Workshops/Symposiums
Join us at one of our workshops for mental health professionals, researchers and students.
Education
Invite a representative of B4U-ACT to speak at your university class, workshop, or conference.
All Events
View upcoming events, including our ongoing Dialog on Therapy and Research Colloquium event series.
Therapist Referrals
Explore our therapist referral program, which connects qualified therapists and MAPs seeking care.
MAP Peer Support
Learn more about our peer support forum and join a compassionate, supportive community.
Research Consultation
Assistance with research projects aimed at understanding MAPs and their needs.
Research Email Group
Join our email group for researchers who study or are interested in studying minor-attracted persons.
Family/Friends Support
Access support specifically for family and friends of people who are attracted to children or adolescents.
History
B4U-ACT was established in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) organization with the following purposes:
- To publicly promote services and resources for self-identified individuals (adults and adolescents) who are sexually attracted to children and seek such assistance
- To educate mental health providers regarding the approaches helpful for such individuals
- To develop a pool of providers who agree to serve these individuals and abide by B4U-ACT’s Principles and Perspectives of Practice
- To educate the public regarding issues faced by these individuals
B4U-ACT assembled a list of over 30 credentialed practitioners in Maryland who agreed to its Principles and Perspectives of Practice, and who were willing to provide caring and inviting services to clients who are sexually attracted to minors. Lay volunteers were sought who would be trained to operate a hotline for the purpose of referring minor-attracted individuals to these professionals.
Due to the tremendous barriers to communication among minor-attracted adults, mental health professionals, and the public, recruiting these volunteers proved to be unworkable. As a result, B4U-ACT chose to direct its efforts at working to eliminate these barriers.
To do this, it organized a small working group of mental health professionals and minor-attracted adults to identify these barriers, discuss how their elimination would benefit both parties and society in general, and develop plans for interventions to overcome them. This working group compiled a report of its findings and future plans for B4U-ACT.
The report suggested holding workshops for mental health professionals and minor-attracted people in order to promote dialog and understanding between the two groups. As a result, in March 2008, B4U-ACT began offering its series of semi-annual workshops.
Statements & Policies
Contact
Email addresses:
General Inquiries: b4uact@b4uact.org
Research Inquiries: science@b4uact.org
MAP Inquiries: support@b4uact.org
Media Inquiries: pr@b4uact.org
Find a Therapist: findtherapist@b4uact.org
Co-founder and Board Chair: Russell A. Dick, MSW, chair@b4uact.org
Mailing address:
B4U-ACT, Inc.
P.O. Box 1754
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone: (410) 871-8156
