They can but many cannot and that's the problem
I remember listening to radio 5 one early morning . A guy admitted he had a sexual interest in children but was under treatment and had never offended . I mean there is clearly a huge difference between him and a serial sex offender but society wants them all hanged .
People have had sexual thoughts towards children since time began . It's never going to stopped , perhaps it's a fault in the brain , who knows . But there has to be a sensible policy towards treating .....or imprisoning these people . A lot of the people who cry wolf over child abuse are completely unhinged in other ways themselves .