It would be worse, yes, but as someone who has had people confide in him this way, I can assure you even when I’m uncomfortable, my mind doesn’t think “wow they must have been an attractive toddler” what kind of victim blaming mentality is that? It’s not like he was insensitive, his “I’m uncomfortable and giving an instinct level reaction” was to call a toddler attractive?

There’s no redeeming this, he has to change fundamentally as a person. You cannot say pedophile things and pretends it’s an “oopsie”

The thought shouldn’t have been anywhere near a normal persons mind, let alone come out of their mouth. This gives me the same vibes as saying a drunk person cheated but “at least they regret it!” Like that changes anything