I think part of what gets people so fired up is that children generally don't know about pedophilia. A teenage girl (or boy) probably knows what rape is, and would offer resistance if assaulted. However, a child not only is too weak to do much, but may not even know the situation is wrong. He (or she) would not be alert to warning signs, and wouldn't know how to interpret them if he/she did notice. It's the vulnerability of someone dear that scares adults, I think. Not that I blame them for wanting to protect their children.

Lionx, you have an interesting point. Others have touched lightly upon it, but I think you were the first to flat say it. I'll have to spend some time thinking about that idea.