A Long, Dark Shadow

In 2010, Allyn Walker completed her doctoral studies at the Department of Social Work at Columbia University. After graduation, she worked as a social worker, supporting individuals who had experienced sexual assault.[5] During this period, due to the nature of her work, she held the assumption that all individuals with pedophilic tendencies were engaging in criminal behavior.[8] However, her perspective changed a year later when she became aware that some pedophiles were committed to not acting upon their attractions. This newfound knowledge piqued her interest in studying this particular demographic,[5][9] leading them to engage with offline gatherings of an online support group for pedophiles.[9]

Motivated by her curiosity, Walker recruited 42 individuals from the support group, conducting interviews to gather insights and compile material for the book. Through these interviews, Walker delved into topics including how pedophiles themselves define their sexual preferences, the reasons behind their decision not to harm children in reality, the strategies they employ to ensure non-offending behavior, and the negative treatment they face due to their preferences in society.[3] In an interview with the Prostasia Foundation, Walker noted that because they are queer, they empathized with the social exclusion experienced by pedophiles.[9]

In her book, Walker adopts the term "minor-attracted persons" to align with the terminology used by support groups, aiming to dissociate it from direct associations with sex crimes. Furthermore, they emphasize that pedophilia represents an uncontrollable sexual preference, implying that moral judgments of right or wrong are not applicable to the preference itself. However, Walker acknowledges that there exists a distinction between right and wrong in terms of behavior and actions.[9]

Recognizing the potential for misinterpretation and concern about the book's message even before its publication, Walker drafted a memo to their colleagues in May 2021. In this memo, she made it explicitly clear that she do not support any form of child sexual abuse. Department chair Mona J.E. Danner reviewed the memo; along with book summaries, it was then shared with Jonathan Leib, the interim dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and subsequently reached university leadership. At the time, Leib believed that the book's primary audience would consist mainly of individuals who are not part of the general public, thus anticipating limited external reactions and publicity.[5]