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Complications, consent, and cognitions in sex between children and adults
... Some initial theories stated that offense-supportive cognitions are beliefs that support aggressive sexual behavior as a psychological risk factor in people with sexual offenses (Helmus et al., 2013), and their function is to alleviate the cognitive dissonance of having a sexual interest that breaks social norms, such as pedophilia or rape fantasies. Therefore, these authors suggest that offense-supportive cognitions have an etiological character and that they are an important risk factor for criminal activity, since the individuals with such cognitions misinterpret the behavior of others (Abel et al., 1984;Trabazo & Azor, 2009). Similarly, Finkelhor (1984) adds another potential reason for the offense-supportive cognitions: the disinhibition of internal desires. ...
... Similarly, the implicit theory of Ward (2000) refers to the content of cognitions being different depending on the sex crime, proposing that people convicted of sexual offenses against adults report that they believe "women are sexual objects" and people convicted of sexual offenses against minors report that they believe "children are sexual beings." Other research has yielded similar results (Abel et al., 1984;Arkowitz & Vess, 2003). Given Ward (2000)'s implicit theory and the differences found in the content of the offense-supportive cognitions according to the type of sex crime, it would be possible to design differentiated interventions for both type of sexual offenders. ...
... The change in the focus of attention is important: it is about thinking about the sexual fantasies-cognitions link instead of the sexual crime-cognition link. Abel et al. (1984) stated that offense-supportive cognitions appear when recognizing the presence of a sexual interest that is contrary to social norms: sexual desires about minors are socially repudiated and provoke a great social stigma (Heasman & Foreman, 2019) that can generate strong feelings of guilt (Little & Byers, 2000cited in Bartels et al., 2021Barker, 2014;Looman, 1995), as well as fantasies of forced sex. Perhaps the presence of these sexual desires and fantasies facilitates the development of offense-supportive cognitions that justify child sexual abuse or committing rape against an adult person to protect their self-esteem (Abel et al., 1989;Maruna & Mann, 2006;Snyder & Higgins, 1988). ...
The main objective of this research is to study the relationships of offense-supportive cognitions and sexual fantasies with sex crime. The research involved 48 men: 26 convicted of sexual offenses against minors and 22 convicted of sexual offenses against adults from different prisons in the Community of Madrid, Spain. We used the RAPE Scale and the Sex With Children Scale to evaluate offense-supportive cognitions and an ad hoc adaptation of the Multidimensional Developmental, Sex and Aggression Inventory to evaluate sexual fantasies with minors and sadomasochistic fantasies. The results show that both groups present similar offense-supportive cognitions, while each group had significantly more sexual fantasies related to their specific crime. Participants who had sexual fantasies about minors presented significantly more offense-supportive cognitions justifying child sexual abuse than those who did not present these fantasies, while participants with sadomasochistic fantasies did not present more offense-supportive cognitions about rape. After collecting this information, we ran four mediation models to assess potential relationships between fantasies, offense-supportive cognitions, and specific sexual crime. The mediation models showed that both sexual fantasies with minors and sadomasochistic fantasies had direct relationships with sex crimes. Upon further confirmation with studies with larger sample sizes, our findings support the importance of dealing with sexual fantasies in treatment of people convicted of sexual offenses and imply a need for differentiated treatment, since the content of sexual fantasies was different in each group.
... According to one view, child molesters choose children as sexual targets because of their own social inadequacy and deficits in social skill (e.g., Knight, 1988). According to another view, child molesters hold attitudes and values that permit sexual activity with children (Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984). Another theory postulates that child molesters have distorted "lovemaps" so that they "fall in love with" children (Feierman, 1990). ...
... Another theory postulates that child molesters have distorted "lovemaps" so that they "fall in love with" children (Feierman, 1990). In support of this view are statements by child molesters that having sex with children is a good way to express intimacy and caring and does no physical or emotional harm (Abel et al., 1984;Pollack & Hashmall, 1991). Another explanation asserts that child molesters choose children as sexual surrogates because adult partners are unavailable (Freund, McKnight, Langevin, & Cibiri, 1972;Howells, 1981). ...
... Child molesters commonly report that they care deeply about the child with whom they engage in sexual behavior and that they neither wish to nor do cause harm (Abel et al., 1984;Pollock & Hashmall, 1991). Until recently, most sexual preference testing with child molesters used visual material exclusively, and the most common stimuli were simple photographs of individual children and adults (Quinsey, 1977). ...
In phallometric testing, audiovisual stimuli in which the audio component depicted a child victim's suffering described from the child's point of view were compared with similar scenarios described from the adult male offender's point of view and to portrayals of consenting adult heterosexual activity. Fifteen male participants who had sexually assaulted girls and 15 nonoffenders were also administered questionnaire measures of empathy and opinions regarding sex with children. Consistent with predictions, maximal discrimination between groups was obtained using deviance indices based on stimuli that emphasized victim trauma. Also consistent with predictions, the questionnaire measures were related to sexual deviance. Recommendations are made regarding stimuli for phallometric testing. The results point to the relevance of changing deviant preferences and enhancing empathy for the victim in the treatment of child molesters.
... However, these would produce an ambiguous and reinforcing combination of positive and adverse conditions. Moreover, the combination of these elements and the search for rationalization and legitimation of behaviors results in skewed perceptions, previously described by Abel et al. (1984;1986). Regarding that perspective, dysfunctional coping strategies have been identified in sexual offending as a resource for dealing with negative emotions, with a tendency to increase sexual activity during periods of stress (Cortoni & Marshall, 2001;Seto & Fernandez, 2011) as well as a higher propensity impulsively acts (Wortley & Smallbone, 2001;Auburn, 2010;van der Schaaf, 2019). ...
... alcohol consumption) (Geiger & Fischer, 2017). In this sense and concerning the Cognitive Distortions Models, authors such as Abel et al. (1984), Ward (2000) and Ward & Casey (2010) contend a focus on the structures and psychological processes of individuals. However, they did not provide significant explanations for social influences, except for their possible impact on learning processes (i.e., cognitive distortions seek to shorten or avoid feelings of guilt through the justification of behavior). ...
... They also reinforced that both models relate to cognitive distortions as elements coated with a dichotomy. So, consider that there are two types of models of cognitive distortions regarding the sexual abuse of children: focus on the offense after the perpetration (e.g., Abel et al., 1984;1989); and structures that sustain the distortions as facilitators and ways of maintaining aggression (Ward, 2000;Ward & Keenan, 1999). ...
This research aims to present additional knowledge about indi- viduals with a history of sexual offenses against children in Portugal. Although the international literature mentions the presence of cognitive distortions as a common element for child sexual offending, it is known that another cognitive path- way developed since childhood and adolescence will have a significant weight in the definition of disruptive sexual beha- viors. In this article, we focused on sexual attitudes and sex as a strategy for sexual coping and assayed to appreciate the relevance of these variables as predictors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). This research mainly aims to analyze a hierarchical and predictive model of these variables and cog- nitive distortion in the CSA. With resources to Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), we conclude that these variables, when asso- ciated, have a predictive accuracy of 82.3% in a sample that included individuals with a history of sexual offenses against children (N = 59) and the general community (N = 82). New future approaches can benefit from integrating coping strate- gies and sexual attitudes into CSA, adapted to the Portuguese context.
... However, the evidence is limited for (1) the existence of stable distortions in offenders' cognition and (2) the impact of treatment of cognitive distortions on treatment efficacy. In this chapter, we appraise two of the most influential theories of cognitive distortions in sexual offenders against children: Abel's early theory (Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Abel, Gore, Holland, & Camp, 1989;Abel, Rouleau, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1986), and Ward's Implicit Theories Theory (Ward, 2000;Ward & Keenan, 1999). We also evaluate the Judgment Model of Cognitive Distortions (Ward, Gannon, & Keown, 2006;Ward, Keown, & Gannon, 2007), which, although less influential than its predecessors, in our view provides the most complete account of child sexual abusers' cognitive distortions to date. ...
... In applying the term to the domain of antisocial behaviour, Abel and colleagues appear to have linked the term with Bandura's (1986) construct of faulty thinking . Their initial work identified cognitive distortions as beliefs (Abel et al., 1984). However, later they incorporated post-offence elements such as justifications into their understanding of cognitive distortions (Abel et al., 1989). ...
... However, later they incorporated post-offence elements such as justifications into their understanding of cognitive distortions (Abel et al., 1989). Since these seminal studies, a number of other authors have adopted the term and expanded it to the point that Ó Ciardha and Gannon (2011) stated that the term 'can now be said to include belief systems (Abel et al., 1984), justifications, perceptions, judgements (Abel et al., 1989), excuses (Pollock & Hashmall, 1991), defensiveness (Rogers & Dickey, 1991), rationalizations (Neidigh & Krop, 1992), and denials or minimizations (Bumby, 1996)' (pp. 130-131). ...
The concept of cognitive distortions in relation to sexual offending has been extremely influential in shaping sexual offender theory, research, and treatment. However, evidence for coherently distorted cognitive structures is scant when researchers delve beyond offender responses on questionnaires or post‐offence statements. This chapter critically examines the current state of the art in theory and research on cognitive distortions, and also examines criticisms levelled at the cognitive distortion literature. In doing so, we attempt to synthesize and reconcile these strands of enquiry. We comment on the treatment implications that have arisen out of this discourse and suggest a research agenda to strengthen the discipline's grasp on the slippery construct of distorted cognition in sexual offending.
... A determination of the importance and role of cognitive factors in the process of becoming an offender has become an interesting field of research over the past years. Initially, research on the cognitive style of offenders focused mainly on cognitive distortions [1][2][3], seeing in them a number of factors contributing to the commission of a crime. The late 1990s marked the emergence of models based on cognitive sche-mas. ...
... They are a ubiquitous filter triggered in the continuous process of collecting and processing information about self, others, and the environment. They cover several important areas (domains) relating to fundamental biologically and evolutionarily conditioned human needs connected with their relationship with their primary caregiver 1 . ...
... Life experiences that generate need frustration is locked in a cycle of constant re-interpretation which congeals with time into a rigid life pattern (early maladaptive schema) composed of memories, physical sensations, emotions and cognitive constructs. This particular schema, while maladaptive, is perpetuated over the course of a person's life, as it provides a sense of predictability and constancy, and therefore -according to Young 1 Young's concept of EMS formation takes into consideration the role of biological and neuronal features. 2 The Schema therapy concept distinguishes 4 types of early developmental experiences that can lead to EMS: when a child has too few good experiences (toxic need frustration); when a child experiences harm or becomes a victim of violence (traumatisation or victimisation); when a child experiences too much of a good thing (over-caring), and when a child selectively internalises or selectively identifies with important people (identification with significant others) [8, p: 30]. ...
Aim of the study
This study aims to explore differences in the prevalence of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) in convicted sexual offenders (CSO’s) as compared to the general male population (control group).
Subject or material and methods
The study included 102 men incarcerated for sexual offences and 167 men from a non-criminal population. The study used the Polish version of Young’s schema questionnaire – YSQ-S3-PL.
Results
The results demonstrated a higher degree of EMS severity in CSO except in the ‘impaired limits’ domain where non-criminal individuals scored higher. The individuals who have committed sexual offenses displayed more extensive and severe schemas than non-criminal / non-treated males (including more EMS domains).
Discussion
The study revealed nine early maladaptive schemas characterising the specific mind-set of male sex offender convicts. The results seem to illustrate well the genesis of the formation of a disordered personality as described by J. Young within the schema therapy concept. In the context of the cited studies, these structures – in addition to their important role in the development of psychopathology – appear to contribute to sexual offending.
Conclusions
The conclusion emerging from the findings is that EMS are an important problem for Individuals involved in sexual offending. A consideration of these schemas in the psychotherapy of CSO’s would help develop new and effective therapeutic protocols designed to treat that particular population and reduce the rate of repeat offending.
... Over the years, research has also deepened comprehensive models of CSA, which have gained higher expression through the soundness of their arguments, namely the Finkelhor Precondition Model (Finkelhor, 1984), the Marshall and Barbaree Integrated Model (Marshall & Barbaree, 1990) and the Hall and Hirschman Quadripart Model (Hall & Hirschman, 1992). Regarding cognitive distortions as an explanation for the offender's functioning, the Abel et al. (1984)model emerged, which would be deepened and redirected in the approach through other models such as Implicit Theories (Ward, 2000;Ward & Keenan, 1999) or the Pathways Model (Ward & Siegert, 2002). It is required to detail each and how, in some cases, models coexisted and emerged in parallel, emphasizing different variables. ...
... Authors also refer that the passage to the act may be inhibited or otherwise facilitated, based on the experiences lived and learned in the socialization process. Abel et al. (1984) present one of the first models of cognitive distortion. Authors divided into those that focus on cognitive processes after engaging in sexually deviant behaviors (e.g., Abel et al., 1989); and those built around the cognitive structures supposed to precede and maintain aggression (e.g., Ward, 2000). ...
... Although the results verified the characteristics of the subjects serving a prison sentence in Portugal, international literature focuses on several theories that seek to explain this type of behavior (Abel et al., 1984;Ward, 2000;Ward & Keenan, 1999). About the intrafamily offenders in our sample, some of their characteristics refer to the existence of deficits in terms of social skills (Hall & Hirschman, 1992;Marshall & Barbaree, 1990), low self-esteem (Marshall, Anderson & Fernandez, 1999;Fernandez, Marshall, Lightbody & O'Sullivan, 1999) and feelings of inadequacy (Robertiello & Terry, 2007). ...
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is not a recent phenomenon. However, it increased visibility in Portugal in 2002, when a news piece raised suspicions about numerous public figures. Since then, there has been an upward trend in complaints and has stabilized in recent years. Nevertheless, even though the research emerging, it presents gaps in the characteristics and modus operandi of the child sex offenders in the Portuguese context.
This article presents an exploratory study, where 66 case reports of inmates in Portugal (Lisbon District) were convicted for CSA crimes recorded in the last ten years.
We used the Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Cluster Analysis as statistical procedures, focusing on the dynamics of the offense, context, number of victims, relationship, and characteristics of the offense. With this analysis, we identified four distinct profiles, which occurs with both techniques. In addition, we found differences regarding the use of aggressivity and/or treating during or after the offense, nature of abuse and introduced the crime admission as an active variable, with contributions to the model definition. According to these results and international literature, we defined our groups in four types: Regressed, Indiscriminate, Inadequate, and Violent.
We discuss our results based on the international models and demonstrate affinities with them.
... Individuals with paraphilic interests may be more likely to engage in harmful sexual behavior if they possess cognitions that support such behavior. Offense-supportive cognitions are beliefs, attitudes, or ways of thinking that rationalize, minimize, justify, or excuse sexual offending (Abel et al., 1984;Burn & Brown, 2006;Burt, 1983;Ward, 2000;Ward et al., 1995Ward et al., , 1997, such as believing that the victim is not necessarily harmed by sexual abuse or that the victim instigated, desired, deserved, or even benefited from the abuse. Offense-supportive cognitions are included in risk assessment tools such as the SVR-20 (Boer et al., 2017) and STABLE-2007(Hanson et al., 2007 since theory and evidence suggest that they are antecedent and maintaining factors in sexual offending (Ó Ciardha & Ward, 2013). ...
... Understanding how offense-supportive cognitions develop could improve these therapies by identifying specific antecedent developmental conditions that need to be addressed. The multi-mechanism theory of cognitive distortions (Szumski et al., 2018) proposes three mechanisms for the development of offensesupportive cognitions: (1) cognitive distortions may exist long before an individual offends, if indeed the individual offends at all, based on stable beliefs about the self and the world developed as a result of childhood adversity (Ward, 2000;Ward & Casey, 2010;Ward & Keenan, 1999); (2) they can form shortly before an individual offends to overcome inhibitions and achieve a desired outcome (Finkelhor, 1984); or (3) they can develop or become stronger after individuals sexually offend in order to avoid guilt, preserve self-image, or to resolve cognitive dissonance (Abel et al., 1984;Maruna & Mann, 2006;Scott & Lyman, 1968). ...
Individuals with paraphilic interests in sexual violence or children may be more likely to sexually offend if they possess offense-supportive cognitions. These cognitions may develop in response to childhood adversity. However, this idea is largely based on research in men convicted of sexual offenses and may not generalize to non-incarcerated adults with paraphilic interests. In a sample of 178 adults screened for paraphilic interests in violence or children (from the general Czech population), we hypothesized that childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect would be associated with offense-supportive cognitions about rape and child molestation. Participants came from a nationally representative sample of Czech adults and were selected if they self-reported high levels of sexual interest in violence and/or children. Participants completed an online survey with self-report measures of sexual orientation, offense-supportive cognitions (Bumby RAPE and MOLEST scales), and childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire). Controlling for gender, age, and sexual orientation, we found that both rape-supportive cognitions and child molestation-supportive cognitions were significantly associated with higher levels of childhood sexual abuse, but not emotional neglect. These findings indicate that childhood sexual abuse may lead to offense-supportive cognitions among men and women with paraphilia.
... Use of any type of deviant pornography and CSAM/CSEM has been found to correlate with contact sex offenses. 14,49,[74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] The issue of how pornography impacts deviant sexual thoughts, fantasies and behavior has been widely debated. 84,85 I assert that the majority of people who view pornographic material are not likely negatively impacted unless they have a predisposition for violence or sexual violence, are using pornography frequently, or are using violent and/or extreme pornography. ...
Users of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), Child Exploitive Sexual Materials (CESM),
child porn and Child Related Erotica (CRE) pose a risk to communities everywhere. Erotica
is anything that an individual finds sexually arousing. This can include child pornography,
Child Sexually Exploitive Material (CSEM), Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), and
any CRE (e.g., pictures of clothed or partially clothed minors, children’s underwear,
toys, teaching or sports paraphernalia designed for minors, etc.).
... Related to social misperceptions, cognitions which contribute to crimes among child molesters have been labelled cognitive distortions (Abel, Becker & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984) and reflect mistaken beliefs about childhood sexuality and about the nature of sexual interactions between an adult and a child. They include one or more of the following misperceptions: ...
This comprehensive overview of research, issues, and theories relating to sexual orientation, behavior, and identity by experts in various disciplines is unique in providing both historical perspectives and a synthesis of the recent advances in understanding homosexuality and heterosexuality.
Drawing from biological and psychological research, this handbook critically reviews the major theories about sexual orientation and examines each theory on the basis of empirical support. One section summarizes recent developments in genetic and neuroanatomic research. Another section discusses problems with sexual performance among heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual persons. A third section provides overviews of clinical disorders or sexual deviations. Various chapters clarify the distinction between sexual disorders, such as pedophilia, and sexual variations, such as homosexuality. Chapters also examine important social issues relevant to sexual orientation, such as disability, prejudice, aging, and gender roles. Experts address the continuing controversy over the feasibility of altering sexual orientation; new developments in treating different types of problems; and changing perspectives today. This handbook is designed for the use of educators, students, and researchers in the social and behavioral sciences.
... Craven et al. (2006) argued that self-grooming plays a vital role in the move from being only "motivated" to sexually offend, to overcoming internal inhibitions, to the transition of targeting a child, and justifying the eventual abuse of a child. Rationalizations such as these are thought to influence offenders' motivations to offend and maintain sexual abuse (Abel et al., 1984;Pollock & Hashmall, 1991;Steely Smith, 2022), which has utility in relation to grooming behavior and should be considered in the grooming process (van Dam, 2001). ...
Individuals who sexually offend often engage in manipulative and coercive behavior to begin, conceal, and continue the sexual abuse of children over time, referred to as grooming behavior. The large majority of research regarding grooming behavior derives exclusively from male sex offending samples, which is problematic because male and female sex offenders vary widely in their offending patterns, motivations, and behaviors. For the present study, we examined the nature of sexual grooming and processes exhibited by a sample of 50 women convicted of sexual offenses against a child. We were guided by Craven et al. model of sexual grooming, which focuses on self, environmental, and child grooming. To date, this is the only proposed model of sexual grooming that includes self-grooming as a step in the grooming process. Data included narrative interviews with women who were arrested, convicted, and assessed for risk and community notification purposes between 2014 and 2019. We also examined interviews with victims, witnesses, and other guardians. The findings from the current study indicated that women who sexually offend utilize a variety of self, environmental, and child grooming behaviors. Self-grooming was an intricate, complex, and layered process that continued throughout the duration of the offense. Details provided by the women in our sample suggested that environmental and child grooming occurred simultaneously rather than two distinct steps. A better understanding of grooming behaviors can assist in the detection of grooming behavior, development of appropriate responses to child victims, and inform future legislation and its implementation. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
... Cognitive distortions are used to understand CSA offenders' behavior (Abel et al. 1984). These cognitions help to rationalize and justify illegal and deviant actions, because they are based on distorted accounts about the victims, the world, and the offender himself (Ward and Siegert 2002). ...
Online communities on darknet contribute to sexual violence against children. They provide offender access to Child Sexual Abuse Material and to a group of peers that supports criminal activities. This article sheds light on online child sexual abusers and their justifications for Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). It describes different offender profiles and motivations for CSA, followed by a section on policing these offences. The article then lays out psychological models, such as cognitive distortions, that are used to understand pedophiles’ behavior. The discussion is complemented by direct citations from a darknet community of CSA offenders, showing that these models are not just theoretical considerations. The last part of the article concentrates on online communities of CSA offenders. It describes different types of members of such communities and explains how the communities support individual offenders and how they provide learning models that facilitate criminal behavior. The article concludes with a short reflection of its findings, including novel insights for investigators of these crimes and proposed venues for further research.
... Among people who have committed sexual offences, these beliefs and attitudes violate commonly accepted norms of rationality and contribute to the onset and maintenance of sexual offending (Ó Ciardha & Ward, 2013). Common cognitive distortions among this population include considering they have special permission to sexually offend or that the absence of physical resistance equals consent (Abel et al., 1984;Thakker et al., 2007). Unlike criminal history, cognitive distortions are a dynamic factor, meaning they can be modified through intervention (Mann et al., 2010). ...
... Offence-supportive cognitions are attitudes and beliefs held by men who offend that justify and excuse sexual offending behavior (Mann, Hanson, & Thornton, 2010). Examples of such beliefs are the ideas that: children are sexual beings; sexual activity with adults is not harmful to children; and some individuals are inherently superior and entitled to act on their sexual desires (e.g., Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Abel et al., 1989;Bumby, 1996;Hanson, Gizzarelli, & Scott, 1994;Paquette, Cortoni, Proulx, & Longpré, 2014;Ward & Keenan, 1999). Previous research found that men with contact sexual offences against children demonstrate more offence-supportive cognitions than those with non-sexual offences and men from the general population without criminal record (e.g., Abel et al., 1989;Bumby, 1996;Hanson et al., 1994). ...
... Indirectly, everything from file names and descriptions to the amount of content available within a particular lawless space are amplifying, and open sharing of content can support motivated reasoning behind cognitive distortions. Offenders are able to observe others who are "worse" than they are, either through their comments in postings or through the types of content they make available -particularly if there is younger or more extreme content available -leading to minimization-based cognitive distortions (Abel et al., 1984;Paquette & Cortoni, 2020). ...
Deterrence, treatment and legal response to online child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenders is enhanced by the joint consideration of technological behaviours and cognitions. CSEM offenders choose an environment based on both psychosexual needs and utility, and in turn that environment shapes future behaviour and reinforces cognitive distortions. This paper introduces lawless space theory, a theory of cyber criminality which posits that offenders will primarily choose and utilize a perceived lawless space that best meets their psychosocial and criminogenic needs in the most frictionless way; habituation and differential association in the lawless space will reduce the perceived risk; normalization will increase comfort in a particular lawless space, increasing friction costs that must be overcome to switch technologies; and additional countermeasures will only be implemented by offenders to reduce perceived risk and lower cognitive dissonance, but not at the expense of utility. The theory is explored through the exemplar of CSEM offences and offers explanatory power for the lifecycle of a lawless space, the use of legacy spaces in the presence of objectively more capable options, the simultaneous use of multiple spaces to meet different psychosexual needs, and the adoption of new technologies by offenders. Additionally, the gateway choice and progression of lawless space usage informs investigations, risk assessments, and deterrence efforts and provides behavioural treatment targets.
... The types of cognitive distortions present among the participants included arbitrary interpretation, selective abstraction, overgeneralization, and magnification and minimization. The concept of cognitive distortions was introduced to the field of sex offender treatment to explain minimizing and justification of committing sexual offenses against children (Abel et al., 1984). The use of the term cognitive distortion has evolved over time to include varying cognitive phenomena encompassing attitudes, beliefs, denial justifications, minimizing, and rationalizations (Abel et al., 1989;Blumenthal et al., 1999;Ward et al., 1997). ...
This study examined the relationship between empathy as measured by the Empathy Index (EI) and the Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS) among a sample (N = 151) of individuals who committed sexual offenses who were receiving community-based sex offender treatment in a large southern state. The extent to which the relationships by age was also considered. The findings indicated a weak but significant positive correlation between total empathy and each of the cognitive distortion scales, and a similar positive correlation between the instrumental aggression empathy subscale and the three cognitive distortion scales. Furthermore, these findings suggested that those with lower empathy were more likely to have cognitive distortions than those with higher empathy. Recommendations for future research and implications for treatment are provided.
... Aiming to overcome this uneasiness and to achieve supposed consistency, the relevant cognitions must be changed, and information that may re-create, uphold or increase this dissonance, must be avoided (Festinger 1957). Even though Abel, Becker, and Cunningham-Rathner (1984) did not directly refer to the theory of cognitive dissonance (Gannon, Ward, and Collie 2007), they describe a conflict between deviant interests and social or inner norms. Accordingly, such a conflict needs the development of attitudes endorsing pedophilic behaviors on the one hand and pretending to adhere to these norms on the other hand. ...
Based on the theory of cognitive dissonance (Festinger 1957) and the understanding of cognitive distortions as defense mechanisms (Drapeau et al. 2008), we argued that individuals convicted of sexual offenses diagnosed with exclusive pedophilia (epICSOC) report more child offense related cognitive distortions compared to individuals convicted of sexual offenses without such diagnosis (oICSOC). In the present study, we aimed to empirically validate these clinical observations and previous results (Eberhaut, Briken, and Eher 2020) by relating cognitive distortions to four measures of pedophilic preference, namely, a clinical diagnosis of pedophilia, viewing time captured and self-reported pedophilic preference (EISIP; Banse, Schmidt, and Clarbour (2010) as well as the SSPI-2 (Seto et al. 2017). Results revealed that cognitive distortions in general and minimizing sexually offending behavior towards children or attributing sexual interest to children in particular, significantly correlated with all four measures for pedosexual preference. Regression analyses, furthermore, indicated that attributing sexual interest to children was the best predictor for a pedosexual preference. Results thus show that cognitive distortions typically associated with child molesting in general are, in fact, more common in individuals convicted of sexual offenses diagnosed with exclusive pedophilia than in those without such diagnosis.
... It has long been recognized that adults who are sexually attracted to and/or sexually engage with children frequently hold permissive attitudes toward adult-child sexual activity that strongly deviate from conventional societal beliefs. Similarly, sexual offenders against children have been shown to endorse cognitive distortions that serve to deny, minimize, justify, and rationalize their behavior (Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Bailey, Bernhard, & Hsu, 2016;Bumby, 1996;Ward & Keenan, 1999). Nonetheless, there are significant gaps in our knowledge about the full range of attitudes toward adultchild sex among individuals who are sexually attracted to children. ...
Treatment for Minor Attracted Persons is inadequate and difficult to access. This qualitative study examined community-based MAPs' responses to narrative questions about their experiences and what they want society to understand, using an iterative thematic analysis. Notable responses from the participants included: 1) sexual attraction does not equal action; 2) minor attraction is immutable; 3) stigma leads to psychological burden; 4) therapy should aim to reduce distress, not change sexual feelings; and 5) sexual behavior can be controlled and remain within legal parameters. Further understanding of MAPs' experiences is key for developing more efficacious treatment modalities to help them live meaningful lives without endangering children.
... Although several cognitive distortion questionnaires have been previously created MOLEST (Bumby, 1996), Abel and Becker's Cognitions Scale (Abel et al., 1984), Hanson Sex Attitude Question (Hanson, Gizzarelli, Scott, 1994), Children and Sexual Activities, Howitt, Sheldon (2007) and Child Molester Scale (McGrath et al., 1998), none of them met the aforementioned criteria, especially the last one. Therefore, a new instrument was developed for the purpose of the study. ...
Aim. The purpose of the study was to examine if cognitive distortions of various content presented by sexual offenders against
children are related with sexual recidivism risk and actual recidivism. To extend the reliability of the interpretation of its results,
differences in the number of cognitive distortions exhibited by sexual offenders against children and controls and relation between
cognitive distortions measured explicitly and implicitly are also examined.
Method. 64 sexual offenders against children, 46 sexual offenders against adults, 74 nonsexual violent offenders, and 68 non-offending
males participated in the study. Explicit and implicit cognitive distortions were measured by two newly created instruments.
Sexual recidivism risk were assessed using Static-99. Data on conviction and actual recidivism were drawn from
penitentiary files.
Results. Implicit and explicit cognitive distortions were mostly unrelated. Offenders showed more cognitive distortions than
non-offending males. Cognitive distortions were not associated with static sexual recidivism risk. In explicit measurement sexual
recidivists showed more cognitive distortions of all types with sexual content than non-recidivists.
Conclusion. Results of the study suggests that cognitive distortions with sexual content are criminogenic need. Thus, tackling
them in treatment shall be contemplated.
... Un deuxiè me facteur explicatif de l'agression sexuelle envers les enfants est celui de la pré sence de distorsions cognitives chez l'agresseur. Les premiers auteurs à s'être inté ressé s au concept de distorsion cognitive et l'ayant é tudié dans le domaine de la dé linquance sexuelle sont Abel et al. [1,2]. La dé finition proposé e par Abel et al. est la suivante : « les distorsions cognitives sont des processus internes, incluant les justifications, les perceptions et les jugements qui permettent à un individu de rationaliser son dé lit sexuel » (traduction libre, [2]). ...
Résumé
Dans le discours populaire, pédophile et agresseur sexuel d’enfant sont généralement compris comme étant des synonymes : les pédophiles seraient des individus qui ont commis une agression sexuelle sur un enfant et les agresseurs sexuels d’enfants seraient nécessairement des individus ayant une préférence sexuelle pour les enfants. Bien que les études antérieures aient mis en évidence que la préférence sexuelle envers les enfants joue un rôle important dans le processus de passage à l’acte et la récidive des individus, elle constitue un facteur parmi d’autres (ex.: manque d’empathie, distorsions cognitives). Dans le cadre de cet entretien, les chercheurs apportent quelques nuances en, notamment, délimitant plusieurs concepts tels que celui d’agression sexuelle d’enfant et en abordant : les différents types de délits sexuels, les caractéristiques et les profils des agresseurs sexuels d’enfant et les différences entre la pédophilie et l’agression sexuelle d’enfants. Les chercheurs terminent en présentant le concept de pédophile abstinent, soit un individu ayant une préférence sexuelle envers les enfants, mais qui n’a jamais commis d’infraction sexuelle. Les chercheurs présentent les ressources qui s’offrent à ce type d’individus, les difficultés qu’ils peuvent vivre au quotidien et proposent des pistes de réflexion en matière d’accompagnement et de traitement.
... Doświadczenia nadużyć (szczególnie tych w postaci przemocy seksualnej) traktuje się w kontekście sprawstwa przemocy z jednej strony jako źródło zaburzeń regulacji emocji, a z drugiej -podstawę kształtowania określonych postaw wobec przemocy. Wiktymizacja mająca początek w okresie dzieciństwa, choć może prowadzić do wykształcenia niewłaściwego przekonania o normatywności zachowań przemocowych oraz powstania innych uzasadniających przemoc zniekształceń poznawczych (Abel, Becker, Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Barnett, Mann, 2013;Szumski, Bartels, Beech, Fisher, 2018;Ward, Hudson, Johnston, Marshall, 1997; 57 Wood, Riggs, 2008, nie prowadzi jednak automatycznie do zachowań agresywnych seksualnie. ...
Celem niniejszej książki uczyniono charakterystykę zagadnienia zaburzenia regulacji emocji u sprawców przestępstw seksualnych jako zjawiska pełniącego istotną rolę w procesie stawania się sprawcą oraz zjawiska istotnego z perspektywy profesjonalistów pracujących z osobami wykorzystującymi dzieci. W rozdziale pierwszym przedstawiono funkcjonujące w literaturze definicje przemocy seksualnej wobec dzieci, ujęte w perspektywie klinicznej, prawniczej oraz społecznej, opisano skalę zjawiska oraz przedstawiono teorie wyjaśniające mechanizm leżący u podłoża wykorzystania seksualnego dziecka. Rozdział drugi zawiera przegląd koncepcji regulacji emocji oraz ich analizę w kontekście sprawstwa przemocy seksualnej przeciwko dzieciom, a także przedstawia dotychczasowe badania udziału regulacji emocji w przestępstwie seksualnym. Rozdział trzeci porusza zagadnienie znaczenia i miejsca procesów regulacyjnych w oddziaływaniach terapeutycznych prowadzonych wobec tej populacji.
... Offence-supportive cognitions are attitudes and beliefs held by men who offend that justify and excuse sexual offending behavior (Mann, Hanson, & Thornton, 2010). Examples of such beliefs are the ideas that: children are sexual beings; sexual activity with adults is not harmful to children; and some individuals are inherently superior and entitled to act on their sexual desires (e.g., Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Abel et al., 1989;Bumby, 1996;Hanson, Gizzarelli, & Scott, 1994;Paquette, Cortoni, Proulx, & Longpré, 2014;Ward & Keenan, 1999). Previous research found that men with contact sexual offences against children demonstrate more offence-supportive cognitions than those with non-sexual offences and men from the general population without criminal record (e.g., Abel et al., 1989;Bumby, 1996;Hanson et al., 1994). ...
... For this reason, there are numerous studies that have tried to discern which risk factors and personality traits can contribute to a person becoming a sex offender [2][3][4][5]. Some studies have focused on the cognitive distortions [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] that sex offenders have towards women, children, and the world in general. Examples of cognitive distortions most prevalent in sexual abusers include the following: not being able to control one's own behavior; the perception of the world as dangerous, which leads to seeing the other as threatening and justifying abuse; considering women and children to be sexual objects; and denigration, denial, and rejection of the pain/damage caused to the victim [13]. ...
Knowing the risk factors of recidivism in sex offenders is important in order to prepare effective preventative interventions and treatment in custody. In this regard, the following paper shows the results of a pilot study carried out in the prisons of central Italy in which 44 sex offenders participated. These participants were given the following tests: Historical Clinical Risk Management-20-version 3 (HCR20v3), Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and Personal Inventory Dimensional (PID-5). The results show a high positivity in the factors of the sub-scales H (historical factors) and C (clinical factors) of HCR20v3; the average total score of the PCR-L is 16.47, with five subjects who are in the “high psychopathy” range (X ≥ 30); with regard to PID-5, the most positive domain is negative affectivity (56.10%).
... Indirectly, everything from file names and descriptions to the amount of content available within a particular lawless space are amplifying, and open sharing of content can support motivated reasoning behind cognitive distortions. Offenders are able to observe others who are "worse" than they are, either through their comments in postings or through the types of content they make available -particularly if there is younger or more extreme content available -leading to minimization-based cognitive distortions (Abel et al., 1984;Paquette & Cortoni, 2020). ...
Deterrence, treatment and legal responses to online child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenders is enhanced by the joint consideration of technological behaviours and cognitions. CSEM offenders choose an environment based on both psychosocial needs and utility, and in turn that environment shapes future behaviour and reinforces cognitive distortions. This paper introduces lawless space theory, which posits that offenders will primarily choose and utilize a perceived lawless space that best meets their psychosexual needs in the most frictionless way; habituation and differential association in the lawless space will reduce the perceived risk; normalization will increase comfort in a particular lawless space, increasing friction costs that must be overcome to switch technologies; and additional countermeasures will only be implemented by offenders to reduce perceived risk and lower cognitive dissonance, but not at the expense of utility. The theory offers explanatory power for the lifecycle of a lawless space, the use of legacy spaces in the presence of objectively more capable options, the simultaneous use of multiple spaces to meet different psychosexual needs, and the adoption of new technologies by offenders. Additionally, the gateway choice and progression of lawless space usage informs investigations, risk assessments, and deterrence efforts and provides behavioural treatment targets.
... Sex offenders who reinforce their sexually deviant and nonsexual violent motivations through repeated viewing of deviant porn and child porn are at higher risk for sexual reoffense and contact offenses. This is supported by general learning theory and the concept of habituation and is supported in the literature for sexual offense behavior [25,26] [27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. In fact, masturbating to erotica (anything that a person finds sexually arousing) that is in any way related to a deviant sexual attraction or sexual offense behavior should be banned by use and possession by the offender. ...
This article highlights important areas to consider and pay attention to when investigating sex crimes, especially focussed on those who have child victims. However, the information also pertains to any violent offender, though the focus of this article is on the child sexual predator. Use of the term “child porn” is necessary because much of the research utilizes that term. The term “Child Sexually Exploitive Material (CSEM)” includes child porn, but also includes any object or material that the individual finds sexually arousing. If the offender finds children's underwear or pictures of clothed children sexually arousing, these are now part of the offender’s CSEM. It is important to understand that violent and sexual predators think in very similar ways and investigative strategies for sex offenders apply to any violent offender.
... THese distortions pre-exist the offence and give the perpetrator a worldview in which sexual contact with a minor could be in some circumstances, according to them, legitimate. THere are two main lists of distortions that exist: that of Gene Abel (Abel/Becker/Cunningham-Rathner, 1984) and that of Neidigh and Krop (Neidigh/Krop, 1992). THese cognitive distortions could be identified as endogenic or exogenic, located within or in others: "I am made like that", or "it is because they wanted it". ...
Published in the Journal : Marriage, Families & Spirituality edited by the
International Academy for Marital Spirituality (INTAMS
https://www.intams.org/
The present crisis the Catholic Church is undergoing calls us to reflect seriously on the nature and mechanism of pedocriminality, both from outside the family and within the family. In this article the author explains how the common understanding such behavior is usually limited and partial. Sometimes people are afraid of looking at child sexual abuse for fear of legitimizing such evil behavior by the bare fact of studying that reality. But to treat a problem, you need to know the problem. The different motivations which lead an adult to sexually molest a child are more complex than what the press usually presents. It is easier to look for a single-cause explanation than to confront a complex reality. Parents and caregivers need to know that differences between intra- and extra-familial offences exist, but there are also many similarities. The article gives a thorough review and evaluation of the existing clinical literature, examining the topic in terms of motivation and treatment, and closes by presenting some ethical challenges. The author first presents the different causes that can lead to sexual activity with a child, using a multi-factorial approach. Several things that contribute to a motivation to molest a child are presented, including an emotional attachment to children, sexual arousal, and the suppression of inhibition. Several models are considered in each of their aspects. Different mental disorders as well as insights from neuroscience are reviewed as possible sources of the motivation. THe discussion then moves to various possibilities of treatment. A distinction is made between treatment and cure, and various strategies of treatment are discussed. The main concern in such treatment for family, Church, and society, the risk of relapse, is considered. Four different treatment models are presented in detail. Finally, some of the ethical questions that families and institutions face together are considered in view of improving the management of people suffering from such disorders: the tension between the client’s interests and those of the community, risk assessment, the question of the rights of the sex offender, and the determination of how much community resources should be spent on these offenders.
... Los estudios sobre creencias pulularon y orientaron el camino hasta centrarse en las distorsiones cognitivas. El origen del concepto 'distorsión cognitiva' se remonta a Ellis (1977) y, posteriormente, fue ampliado por Beck (1979), y Abel, Becker y Cunningham-Rathner (1984). Estos psicólogos cognitivos desarrollaron conceptos alrededor de las distorsiones cognitivas en la comisión de la ofensa sexual. ...
Researching the etiology of sexual offenses from a cognitive and emotional dimension demonstrates a prominent increase in the last three decades. However, this reflection article's specific objective is to reveal the clear excesses, violations, absences and needs in developing and treating the convergent constructs in both dimensions. To do so, the way cognitive processes influence sexual offenses will be explained first. Then, we will state how said actions can be explained based on theories of emotions. Finally, we will attempt to establish an interpretative proposal for the problem that includes the cognitive and emotional dimensions, as well as fundamental aspects to understand sexual offenses. Therefore, it was concluded that developing new and improved theories that articulate emotions and cognitions is necessary to properly explain offender's movements in committing sex crimes.
Voyeurism, exhibitionism, and frotteurism are recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as sexual paraphilias that involve sexual arousal derived from non-consenting individuals (APA, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 2013). This chapter will focus on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition [DSM-5] definitions of Voyeuristic, Exhibitionistic, and Frotteuristic Disorders. This chapter will be divided into two parts. In the first part, what is known about Voyeuristic, Exhibitionistic, and Frotteuristic Disorders is presented in terms of diagnostic criteria, prevalence, frequency, age of onset, and scope of the problem separately by disorder. However, given the overlap between the disorders and the dearth of research about these paraphilias in general, the second part of the chapter will broadly discuss comorbidity, differential diagnosis, etiological theories, clinical assessment, and interventions for all three paraphilias in tandem and will conclude with recommendations for future research.
Prisons in South Korea have implemented psychotherapy programs for people convicted of sexual offenses to reduce sexual crime recidivism post-release. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the treatment by analyzing data from 13,200 men convicted of sexual offenses released from 2015 to 2019. We estimated the latent change score (LCS) for rape myths acceptance (RMA) and child sexual assault supportive attitudes (CSA) utilizing the 2W-LCS model. We examined the relationship between the LCS and sexual crime recidivism. Additionally, we employed multigroup analysis to compare the results based on program completion status. The results showed that regardless of completion, the LCSs for both RMA and CSA were significant and negative, indicating a decrease in both levels of cognitive distortion after treatment. In addition, the absolute values of the LCSs for both RMA and CSA were larger in the fully-treated group than in the partially-treated group. The CSA LCSs exhibited a significant relationship with sexual crime recidivism only in the fully-treated group. Overall, the study supports the treatment’s effectiveness and underscores the importance of treatment completion.
Cognitive distortions (CDs) are a crucial element in the etiology of child sexual offending, with most of the intervention programs targeting them to reduce the risk of sexual recidivism in perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers have developed the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) to assess CDs. With a total sample of 256 participants, the Portuguese version of the HSAQ revealed a two-factor structure. The HSAQ subscales demonstrated good to acceptable psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, as well as discriminant validity. One of the subscales also demonstrated convergent validity. Additionally, the two subscales exhibited differences between perpetrators of CSA with and without previous interventions, indicating known-groups validity. Overall, our findings partially support the use of the HSAQ in the forensic Portuguese population, underscoring its significance for clinical and research purposes. Nevertheless, particular caution is advised, especially regarding factor two.
To understand the act of sexual offending the considerations, research say, must start earlier in the life of the individual. A variety of factors and their interaction can set off a process as soon as in childhood, through different and often convoluted pathways. This chapter reviews the current state of research and draws conclusions on its major findings, approaches, and future directions. It begins with an introductory explanation of what defines a sexual offender, offering a glance at this complex and heterogeneous group. Theories that attempt to explain the etiology of sexual offending follow, presented in their main postulations, while also considering their limitations. In the end, current state of research and future implications for policy making are discussed.
There is significant interest in the issue of child sexual abuse committed in institutional settings. This study uses information collected from a sample of 23 convicted Canadian sex offenders to examine key elements of the offending. Issues explored include the nature of the offender’s involvement with institutions, their own prior sexual victimisation experiences, factors influencing the selection of victims and the locations where the sexual assaults occurred. Particularly telling was the length of time offenders spent at an institution prior to initiating the assaults and the potential to avert offending by reducing opportunities to offend, as well as the associated danger evident in allowing staff—without supervision—to transport children outside of an institutional setting, given the frequency of the assaults that occurred offsite.
Distorted judgments supporting commitment of criminal sexual acts are widely used in persons with abnormal sexual behavior and considered by foreign researchers as one of the dynamic risk factors of relapse of sexual crimes against minors. The submitted article is an analytical review of the main foreign research papers on the problem of cognitive distortions in sexual offenders. Various attempts to conceptualize and categorize cognitive distortions are presented with their theoretical and empirical verification, structural characteristics and some features of the development of such distorted judgements. The self-report questionnaires are mainly used in foreign studies of cognitive distortions, also samples of sexual offenders are studied include both persons with sexual disorders and situational offenders. The article shows the necessity of distinguishing between prior and posterior cognitive distortions, as well as self-justification inherent in human nature and distorted judgements that contribute to the commission of criminal acts. It has been suggested that the assessment of cognitive distortions should be carried out not only by unified questionnaires, but using a phenomenological analysis of situational behavior and a retrospective analysis of criminal’s beliefs before the latter committed the incriminated act.
To date, the possession of purely text-based child sexual exploitation material, in contrast to photographic and videographic depictions, is not punishable in Germany. For the first time, the current article shows to what extent stories from a so-called girl lover forum on the darknet address sexualized violence against children. Based on a textual formal analysis of the content of the stories, it was possible to prove that these stories contain non-sexualized depictions of children but first and foremost descriptions of severe sexual abuse. Due to the sexualized incentives and the recurring descriptions of sexual acts presented in the stories, children were exposed by the authors in a way that should be prosecuted under German law (§ 184b German Criminal Code, StGB). As measured by the Combating Paedophile Information Networks in Europe (COPINE) scale (Taylor et al. 2001), the severity of child sexual abuse depicted in the “girl lover” stories (> 8) is notably higher than in previously evaluated image-based and video-based child sexual abuse material collections (e.g., Fortin and Proulx 2019) that depicted children of comparable ages (at just under 10 years old; COPINE = 4–6). In addition, the stories from the “girl lover” forum that were examined often contained the authors’ assumptions about how children experience sexual acts. Here, cognitive distortions are unmistakable, especially false assumptions about interest in and physical reactions to sexual acts by children, about consensual sexual contact and romantic attachment, and representations in which the child is reduced to an adult sexual object available at any time. In conclusion, we argue that the risk posed by the stories is that their consumption can stimulate fantasies of child sexual abuse and reinforce cognitive distortions of the normality of child sexual abuse behavior.
In this chapter, 11 theoretical models that are classified as Level II theories, single‐factor theories, are described. Expanding on the factors identified in Level I theories, these theoretical models are (a) the sexual deviation theory, (b) the cognitive distortion theory, (c) the intimacy deficits theory, (d) the conditioning theory, (e) radical feminist perspectives on child sexual abuse, (f) postmodern feminist perspectives of sexual offending, (g) the four‐stage model of the empathy process, (h) the monoamine hypothesis, (i) the implicit theory of sexual offenders, (j) the power/powerlessness theory, and (k) the schema‐based model of sexual assault.
Over the past few decades new ways of conceiving the relation between people, practices and institutions have been developed, enabling an understanding of human conduct in complex situations that is distinctive from traditional psychological and sociological conceptions. This distinctiveness is derived from a sophisticated analytic approach to social action which combines conversation analysis with the fresh treatment of epistemology, mind, cognition and personality developed in discursive psychology. This text is the first to showcase and promote this new method of discursive research in practice. Featuring contributions from a range of international academics, both pioneers in the field and exciting new researchers, this book illustrates an approach to social science issues that cuts across the traditional disciplinary divisions to provide a rich participant-based understanding of action.
This chapter focuses on various assessment tools, interventions and preventive measures which could help children cope up with the trauma. It also extends its focus on few particular therapeutic measures especially designed for children in order to help them cope with the experience. Data from recent researches helps in creating awareness for preventive measures aimed for families, schools and communities in general.
BACKGROUND
Modern Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) offences predominantly occur
within a technological ecosystem. The behaviours and cognitions of CSEM offenders
influence, and are influenced by, their choice of facilitative technologies that form
that ecosystem.
OBJECTIVES
This thesis will review the prior research on cognitive distortions present in and
technology usage by CSEM offenders, and present a new theory, Lawless Space
Theory (LST), to explain those interactions. The cognitions and technical behaviours
of previously convicted CSEM offenders will be examined in a psychosocial context
and recommendations for deterrence, investigative, and treatment efforts made.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
Data was collected using an online survey collected from two samples, one from a
reference population of the general public (n=524) and one from a population of
previously convicted CSEM offenders (n=78), both of which were composed of
adults living in the United States.
METHODS
Two reviews were conducted using a PRISMA methodology - a systematic review of
the cognitive distortions of CSEM offenders and an integrative review of their
technology usage. A theoretical basis for LST was developed, and then seven
investigations of the survey data were conducted evaluating the public’s
endorsement of lawless spaces; the public’s perceptions of CSEM offenders; the
self-perceptions of CSEM offenders; the suicidality of the offender sample; the use of
technology and countermeasures by the offender sample; the collecting and viewing
behaviours of the offender sample; and the idiographic profiles of the offender
sample.
RESULTS
The reviews found that the endorsement of traditional child contact offender
cognitive distortions by CSEM offenders was low, and that they continued to use
technology beyond its normative lifecycle. LST was developed to explain these
behaviours, and the view of the Internet as generally lawless was endorsed by the
reference and offender samples. The public sample showed biased beliefs that
generally overestimated the prevalence of, and risk associated with, CSEM offending
when compared to the offender sample. Offenders were found to have viewed
investigators as having a lack of understanding and compassion, and they exhibited
very high suicidal ideation following their interaction with law enforcement. Offenders
exhibited similar technical abilities and lower technophilia than the reference sample,
chose technologies to both reduce psychological strain and for utility purposes, and
many exhibited cyclic deletions of their collections as part of a guilt/shame cycle.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Understanding CSEM offenders’ technological behaviours and cognitions can inform
more effective investigative, deterrence, and treatment efforts. Law enforcement
showing compassion during investigations may generate more full disclosures while
facilitating offender engagement with resources to reduce suicidality. Deterrence
efforts focused on establishing capable guardianship and reducing perceived
lawlessness provide the potential to reduce offending. Treatment of criminogenic
needs for the majority of CSEM offenders is not supported by evidence, but noncriminogenic treatment warrants broader consideration.
A key problem associated with adequate knowledge generation in pedophilia is that theories and studies predominantly examine abusive pedophilia. Acting abusively in relation to children—even where pedophilia is present—is likely to involve a different set of processes to those involved in the underlying concept of pedophilia itself. What is required is a consistent definition of pedophilia, as well as an explanation of its composition, to promote insight into the etiological mechanisms underpinning pedophilia independent of abusive behavior. In this manuscript, I critically review both the concept of pedophilia and existing pedophilia theory. Then, using the Phenomena Detection Method of Theory Construction (PDM-TC; Ward & Clack, 2019), I generate a compositional explanatory theory of pedophilia (CEToP). The CEToP examines the composition and possible causes of pedophilia via an overarching framework that specifies two key pathways as being responsible for the central clinical features of pedophilia and reconciles biological and environmental explanations of pedophilia. I examine this new theory according to key evaluative components associated with theory construction and conclude by highlighting the CEToP’s potential application for research and practice with individuals experiencing pedophilia.
Publikace nabízí informace a poznatky, týkající se konceptu kriminálního myšlení a kriminálního životního stylu, a seznamuje čtenáře s technikami určenými pro jeho mapování a měření. Pozornost je věnována zejména psychodiagnostickému nástroji – Inventáři kriminálních stylů myšlení (PICTS, Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles) Glenna D. Walterse, který je široce akceptovaným nástrojem pro detekci výskytu a intenzity kriminálních postojů u dospělé kriminální, resp. vězeňské populace. Empirická část této monografie se zaměřuje na adaptaci zmíněného Inventáře na české podmínky (PICTS-cz). Normativní soubor, na kterém proběhla standardizace, obsáhl 586 odsouzených mužů ve výkonu trestu odnětí svobody. Inventář PICTS-cz vykazuje uspokojivé hodnoty základních psychometrických parametrů, srovnatelné s výsledky studií realizovaných na standardizačním souboru autora metody. Testy reliability a orientační důkazy validity inventáře naznačují možnosti jeho využití jako účelné pomůcky v diagnostické praxi vězeňských psychologů a soudních znalců – psychologů.
Blatníková, Š., Faridová, P., Vranka, M. (2016): Kriminální styly myšlení: Inventář PICTS-cz. IKSP: Praha (ISBN 978-80-7338-156-1)
www.kriminologie.cz (http://www.ok.cz/iksp/docs/431.pdf)
According to police statistics, 12,019 cases of child sexual abuse with 14,051 victims were recorded by police in Germany in 2016 (Bundeskriminalamt 2017). Those cases that are brought to the attention of the judicial authorities and are located within the so-called Hellfeld (lit. “light field”), however, represent merely a fraction of the actual magnitude (Beier et al. 2015d). By and large, there is little willingness on the part of those affected to report to the police (between 11.7% and 18%); this has however increased in recent years. Abusive acts with vaginal, anal, or oral penetration and those that have taken place over a long period of time have the greatest likelihood of being reported (Bieneck et al. 2011). It is estimated that the number of unreported cases is up to 30 times higher than those included in police crime statistics (Stoltenborgh et al. 2011). Of the participants at the Berlin location of the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld (Präventionsprojekt Dunkelfeld [PPD]), 43% admitted to having committed child sexual abuse, the significant majority of which (83%) were unknown to the judicial authorities (Kuhle, Kossow and Beier 2015). A similar picture emerged from the Juvenile Prevention Project (Präventionsprojekt Jugendliche [PPJ]): 45% of the 12- 18-year-olds who expressed interest in the project admitted to having committed child sexual abuse. Approximately 60% of these cases were unknown to the judicial authorities (Schlinzig et al. 2017).
Virtual child sexual abuse material (VCSAM) has become a growing global concern amongst policy and practice professionals. This theoretical paper aimed to provide a discussion on the landscape for the types of virtual material and apply psychological perspectives to further our limited understanding of these offenders. When considering the landscape, the types of morphing were explored along with the issues that have resulted due to the advances in 3D software and hardware rendering, including difficulties distinguishing VCSAM from child sexual abuse material involving real children. Throughout the paper, logic is drawn from the strong theoretical basis of child sexual abuse material offenders, allowing for the application of theoretical perspectives, such as schemas, cognitive distortions, the person-situation interaction, and rational choice theory. This paper offers some preliminary foundations and insights in an attempt to better understand VCSAM offenders, while providing avenues for further research. Overall, this paper offers a valuable and timely resource for psychology and law enforcement disciplines, along with policy makers, at an international level.
This chapter is about sex offenders, covering the difference between a sexual offense versus a paraphilia, various sex offenses, the public’s view of sexual offending, incarceration, and different treatment approaches for sexual offenders. It ends with a review of studies that focus on treatment efficacy.
This chapter outlines the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of sexual violence as: ‘Any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic or otherwise directed against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work'. Although there are many factors which contribute to our understanding of the causes of sexual abuse, this chapter focuses on the various psycho-social factors that would lead to sexual abuse and the various psychological theories such as cognitive, behavioural, personality and social learning theories that help us explain the causes of sexual abuse.
The belief that sex with adults causes harm to children is often offered as the most compelling argument against such relationships, and is the basis for much current concern about sexual abuse. This paper argues for the importance of a stronger ethical position, less dependent on an empirical presumption that is not firmly established. It is suggested that basing the prohibition of adult-child sex on the premise that children are incapable of full and informed consent will provide a more solid and consistent approach to the problem.
To examine factor contributing to the differential adjustment of women sexually molested as children, 3 groups of 30 women aged 18–65 yrs each were recruited to participate in this study: (a) a clinical group consisting of women seeking therapy for problems associated with childhood molestation, (b) a nonclinical group of women molested as children who had never sought therapy and considered themselves to be well adjusted, and (c) a control group who had not been molested. The clinical group was significantly less well adjusted than either the nonclinical or control group on measures of psychosexual functioning and the MMPI. In addition, clinical Ss differed significantly from nonclinical group Ss in terms of (a) age at which last molestation occurred and (b) frequency and duration of molestation. It is proposed that differences in adult adjustment may be mediated by emotional responses evoked at the time of the incident(s), which in turn can be linked to the frequency and duration of molestation and to developmental factors associated with the age of last molestation. (29 ref)
Traditionally, under a fixed age set by the state, the child existed as an essentially disenfranchised member of the community. Current developments are demanding a variability in our assignment of autonomous rights, forcing a concept of “variable” competency. The courts increasingly require guidance as to “maturity” and “judgment” of children in their capacity to speak for themselves. This paper attempts to define some of the general conditions that limit competence and begins the process of establishing some general guidelines to help in deciding when we ought to allow children to enter into the decisionmaking process in important areas concerning their lives and futures.
focus on sexually aggressive behaviors that involve bodily touching and are carried out against the will of the victim
categorization of sexually aggressive men / exhibitionism / frottage / pedophilia and incest / rape / sadism
paraphiliac offender / denial of paraphilic arousal / evaluating paraphiliac offenders / psychophysiologic assessment of sexual arousal
behavioral characteristics / cognitive distortions / insufficient arousal to nondeviant stimuli / social skills deficits / assertiveness skills deficits / deficits of sexual knowledge and dysfunction / satiation / covert sensitization / treatment effectiveness (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Delineates the moral and legal rights of children, including the right to be regarded as a person in the family, at school, and before the law; the right to receive parental love and affection; the right to be supported, maintained, and educated; and the right to be treated fairly by all authority figures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The purpose of this paper to present a psychiatric study of the reaction of children who have experienced actual sex relations with adults. The material for this study consisted of sixteen unselected successive admissions of pre puberty children who were admitted for observation and recommendations to the Children's Ward of the Psychiatric Division of Bellevue Hospital, following sexual relations with adults. All except 2 cases were referred by the Children's Court on a technical charge of neglect, or as material witnesses against the offending adult. The most remarkable feature presented by these children who have experienced sexual relations with adults was that they showed less evidence of fear, anxiety, guilt or psychic trauma than might be expected. On the contrary, they more frequently exhibited either a frank, objective attitude, or they were bold, flaunting and even brazen about the situation. Some of the theoretical implications presented by these cases of adult-child sex relations are interesting. The occurrence of these phenomena is doubtless a universal problem in our civilization and there is evidence that it has been encountered in other cultural systems. The present interest in the problem is focused mainly on its relation to the child, The few studies that have been made of this subject have been contented to consider it an example of adult sex perversion from which innocent children must be protected by proper legal measures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)
This paper explores some of the complex difficulties facing clinicians trying to assess whether a patient's report of incest is fantasy or reality. The role of sexualized family interactions, the age of the child, the nature of the act, and the quality of the reports are discussed as relevant variables. Cases are used to illustrate various points. In conclusion, we provide 8 questions the clinician should review before making any judgments about a report of incest being reality, especially when legal procedures are involved.
The authors compared several aspects of early sexual experience found in two earlier studies of prostitutes with results of research on "normal" women. The prostitutes had in common many negative experiences not found or found less often in other populations of young women. These include incestuous and/or coerced sex, lack parental guidance, intercouse at a young age, and few or no meaningful relationships with males. These women had discovered that sex could lead to a kind of status, even though that status is negatively labeled by the wider culture. In a society that values women on the basis of their sexuality, a woman who views herself as "debased" may see prostitution as a viable alternative--perhaps the only alternative.
Six families are described in which 10 sons were involved incestuously with a natural father (N=4) or step-father (N=2). Father-son incest as a part of the spectrum of child abuse appears to be a more frequent clinical entity than was thought previously.
The typical family constellation in this study of 14 cases of incest was that of a chronically depressed mother, an alcoholic and violent father or stepfather, and an eldest daughter who was forced to assume many of her mother's responsibilities, with ensuing role confusion. The authors stress the need for physicians to be alert to the possibility of incest in such high-risk families.
In diagnosing incest, a high index of suspicion is of the greatest importance. Given the reluctance of professionals to consider this possibility and the unwillingness of the family to reveal its pathology, incest becomes doubly difficult to identify.
In a pediatric setting the victim of incest may be the young girl who presents with a variety of physical or psychosomatic or behavioral complaints. Her family may appear to be stable and well functioning, or they may have many problems obvious to the community because of their acting-out. In either situation, family dynamics may reveal an inadequate sexual relationship between the parents, condoning of the incest by the mother, and denial of this behavior by all individual members who fear exposure and resultant family disintegration.
Incest arises as a symptom of severely distorted family relationships and can inflict considerable psychological damage on the child involved in this pathological triangle. This is particularly true when the girl is an adolescent. For these reasons, professionals who deal with children need to have a heightened awareness of the possibility of incest so it can be identified and reported to the appropriate authorities, and intervention instituted.
Psychiatrists and others have too often discounted reports of sexual attacks upon children and ascribed the incident to fantasy. The author's experience in private psychoanalytic practice and in Philadelphia's rape victim clinics indicates that these assaults occur frequently. If the sexual attack is dealt with improperly or repressed it may cause serious psychologic problems for the victim as an adult.
Sexual fantasy plays a critical role in the treatment of sexual deviations from both the psychoanalytic and behavioral viewpoints. Both orientations can be interpreted as successively conceptualizing sexual fantasy first as a dependent and then as an intervening variable. Most recently the behaviorally oriented therapists have reported successful treatment based on the assumption that sexual fantasy can be used as an independent variable to be directly altered by the therapist. These latter studies are reviewed in considerable detail in hopes of incorporating their findings into the general body of psychiatric knowledge. It is suggested that such 'crossfertilization' between psychoanalytic and behavioral therapists may prevent unnecessary duplication of investigation, advance the state of knowledge more rapidly, and demonstrate that there may be more similarities in the 2 views than had been suspected previously.
Traditionally, under a fixed age set by the state, the child existed as an essentially disenfranchised member of the community. Current developments are demanding a variability in our assignment of autonomous rights, forcing a concept of “variable” competency. The courts increasingly require guidance as to “maturity” and “judgment” of children in their capacity to speak for themselves. This paper attempts to define some of the general conditions that limit competence and begins the process of establishing some general guidelines to help in deciding when we ought to allow children to enter into the decision-making process in important areas concerning their lives and futures.
Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21, 2:153–162, 1982.
Many authors have commented on the impact of sexual assault on the sexual lives of the victims. Eighty-three victims were interviewed with regard to their sexual histories, and completed the Sexual Arousal Inventory, to determine the incidence and types of sexual dysfunctions in rape and incest victims: 56% of these victims experienced sexual dysfunctions postassault; 71% of these subjects reported that the sexual assault precipitated the dysfunction. Fear of sex, arousal or desire dysfunctions were the most common sexual problems presented within this victim sample. The Sexual Arousal Inventory was not successful in discriminating dysfunctional and nondysfunctional rape and incest victims.
To increase understanding of sexual abuse in boys, we reviewed records of 142 victimized boys ranging in age from 6 months to 17 years. They represented 14% of victims under 18 years of age during a four-year period. Most had histories of single assaults (87%) that involved attempted anal intercourse (78%) by know assailants (59%). Half of the assaults were violent, with evidence of trauma found in 24%. Patterns of abuse were associated with the victim's age and the assailant-victim relationship. Younger victims reported more non-stranger assaults, less violence, and less anal intercourse. Assaults by strangers tended to involve older children and more violence and to occur away from home. Male children are at significant risk of sexual abuse, often at younger ages than girls. Consequences of sexual abuse remain unknown, but may relate to future child abuse.
Sequelae of sexual assault: The survivor's perspective The Sexual Aggressor: Current Perspectives on treatment
- J V Becker
- L J Skinner
- G G Abel
Becker, J. V., Skinner, L. J. and Abel, G. G. (1983). Sequelae of sexual assault: The survivor's perspective. In J. Greer and I. Stuart (Eds.), The Sexual Aggressor: Current Perspectives on treatment. New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold, Inc.
The effects of early sexual experience
- Constantine
Constantine, L. L. (1981a) The effects of early sexual experience. In L. Constantine and F. Martinson (Eds.), Children and Sex. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
Birthrights: A Bill ofRightsfor Children
- R Farson
Farson, R. (1974). Birthrights: A Bill ofRightsfor Children. New York: Macmillan.
The Impact of Incest: Factors in Self-Evaluation
- Nelson
Sequelae of sexual assault: The survivor's perspective
- Becker