contributed to make pedophilia the #1 vicious crime, surpassing rape in most consciences
It is rape. Children are not able to consent.
What makes the rape of a child seen as worse as the rape of an adult, is that children are vulnerable in every sense of the word; physically, emotionally, financially, and sexually.
Everyone has been a child so they are able to empathize, and we are "programmed" to want to protect them.
Edit: I am talking about people who act on their pedophilia by abusing children.