“Distinct from the idea of a malevolent pedophile ring, these young men – and occasionally young women – said they didn’t want to hurt children and were trying find a way to make sure they never would.” In Matter, Luke Malone tackles a tough subject: You’re 16. You’re a Pedophile. You Don’t Want to Hurt Anyone. What Do You Do Now?

+ The Awl’s Choire Sicha talks to Luke Malone about his reporting of this story, which started out as his Columbia journalism school thesis.