Pedophilia and the Netherlands

Let me preface this by saying that the following in no way reflects the majority of the Dutch people.  Do not judge the Dutch as a culture for this post. This is a minority group that I find both fascinating and disturbing.

Sara brought this to my attention after one of her Sexuality and Gender classes.  I thought at first maybe she had mistranslated the people around her, but it turns out she was not mistaken.  "I feel so angry," she told me after she explained the situation.  Basically, there is a group in the Netherlands called Martijn that advocates for the acceptance of pedophilia into society and for the legalization of sex between children and adults (wikipedia page).  In wider Dutch culture, it appears that this group is protested and not very popular, but many of Sara's classmates were in favor of this group because they believe we shouldn't limit human relations in any way, including age.

The group thinks that 12 is a good age for kids to figure out whether or not they want to have sex, and wants this to be the legal age of consent (though ultimately they want the age of consent abolished entirely).  12?!  I doubt many 12-year-olds are competent or experienced enough to have a relationship, let alone a sexual relationship, let alone a sexual relationship with someone much older than them!  Should we be educating 12-year-olds about sex?  Absolutely, but not with a curriculum-free hands-on experience!

I understand that pedophilia is a sexual orientation, meaning you don't choose to be attracted to children, but you can choose not to act on your orientation, like gay people have had to do for so long.  The difference between acting on being gay and acting on being a pedophile is that gay relationships are typically between consenting individuals who are old enough to understand the consequences of their actions.  Not always the case, true, but with pedophilia, at least one of those involved hasn't matured enough to give consent.

"If you touch my children," Sara said in her passionate conclusion, "I will kill you.  I'm sorry, but you are gonna die."