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Pedophilia
Abstract
Pedophilia is defined as a sexual interest in prepubescent children. It is empirically linked with sexual offending against children: Child pornography offenders and sex offenders with child victims are more likely to be pedophiles based on self-report or objective measures of sexual interests. At the same time, some pedophiles have not had any known sexual contact with children, and perhaps half of sex offenders against children would not meet diagnostic criteria for pedophilia. Pedophilia can be diagnosed using a variety of methods and is an important factor to consider in the assessment of sex offenders because pedophilic offenders are more likely to sexually reoffend and require different interventions. There is no evidence to suggest that pedophilia can be changed. Instead, interventions are designed to increase voluntary control over sexual arousal, reduce sex drive, or teach self-management skills to individuals who are motivated to avoid acting upon their sexual interests.
... Not all people who commit sexual offenses against minors present pedophilia (e.g., Herrero, 2018), but approximately 30-50% of those convicted of sexual offenses against minors are people with pedophilic interests (Seto, 2012). Also, not all of those who have fantasies about minors commit sexual offenses against children, in fact, around 1% of the population has fantasies about minors or pedophile sexual interest (Seto, 2009). In the same way, people who commit crimes of sexual assault against adults do not always present fantasies regarding the use of force and in the general population the percentage of people with this type of sadomasochistic fantasies is high (Leitenberg & Henning, 1995cited in De la Rubia, 2010, without the need for them to commit a sex crime. ...
... In our case, it seems that it is sexual fantasies with minors that have a relation with offense-supportive cognitions on minors. This fact can be explained because the social stigma against sexual fantasies with minors (Heasman & Foreman, 2019) makes them rare in the ordinary population (Seto, 2009). When a person has feelings that conflict with social moral norms (Abel et al., 1984), they suffer high cognitive dissonance that results in the development of offense-supportive cognitions that justify or minimize that sexual interest (Gee et al., 2003). ...
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.
... Another seemingly common (mis-)perception, judging from newspaper headlines, for example, is that individuals who commit child sexual abuse always have paedophilia. Yet, this kind of atypical sexual interest is only estimated as prevalent in approximately 50-60% of those who perpetrate child sexual abuse (Seto, 2009). Furthermore, research on non-forensic samples of men with paedophilic disorder suggests that it probably is not paedophilic interests per se that is the single cause of offending, as these men also score higher on other important risk factors (Wittström et al., 2020). ...
... However, they indicate that some aspects of the ISOs' self-reports may be less reliable, such as the victim type. In addition, the estimated prevalence of sexual interest in children is approximately 50-60% among ISOs with child victims (Seto, 2009). Therefore, I conclude, assuming the sample is fairly representative, that my interviewees may have under-reported the occurrence of atypical sexual interests. ...
Social work plays a crucial role in the prevention of sexual abuse. Such prevention can involve protection for potential victims but also measures directed at those who perpetrate sexual abuse. However, research on desistance among those who have committed sexual offences, their treatment readiness, and help-seeking prior to conviction is scarce.
This doctoral thesis aims to explore support and treatment from the perspective of adult men convicted of sexual offences in Sweden. What are their experiences of change after participation in sex offender treatment, and how do they engage in risk-reducing interventions? Particular attention is placed on the roles of relatives and society.
Data consist of pre- and post-tests (n = 99) and in-depth interviews with men convicted of sexual crimes (n = 19). The interviews were carried out with both participants (n = 13) and non-participants (n = 6) in sex offender treatment.
Participants’ self-reports (n ~ 26) and therapist ratings (n = 46) analysed in paper I suggest that participation in the sex offender programme called SEIF may be associated with changes in criminogenic needs, potentially reducing issues linked to recidivism. However, caution is advised due to methodological limitations. Further studies are needed to determine effectiveness. According to paper II, interviewees who participated in SEIF (n = 13) appeared to have started building new prosocial narrative identities, indicative of early desistance.
The findings in paper III suggest that non-rehabilitative, punitive elements within correctional systems can create barriers to readiness. Nevertheless, supportive and non-punitive responses from staff, close ones, or fellow inmates seemed to counteract these negative loops. This hypothesised relational mechanism, promoting readiness, is termed looping disruption. Paper IV examines help-seeking behaviours and indicates that prevention efforts can either succeed or fail at various societal levels. Barriers to seeking help include a lack of awareness of the problem, fear of social consequences, and a neglectful welfare system. Professionals with specific knowledge and focus were seen as providing meaningful support, while the involvement of loved ones was a central motivator.
In conclusion, a non-judgmental, person-centred, and supportive approach is recommended, as it seems to increase willingness to change. Professionals may need specific training to tackle the challenges associated with this task. Furthermore, the thesis highlights how the significant stigma associated with sexual offences is a major obstacle when reintegrating individuals convicted of such crimes into society.
... The prevalence within the population of individuals that makes criteria for pedophilic disorder is not known, but is probably less than 3% among adult males in international studies (Seto, 2018). The prevalence within the population of adult females is even more uncertain but is probably a small fraction of the prevalence in males (Seto, 2009). However, an online survey of 8,718 German men found that 4.1% reported sexual fantasies Table 6 ICD-11 pedophilic disorder required features (6D32) A sustained, focused, and intense pattern of sexual arousalas manifested by persistent sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges, or behaviorsinvolving pre-pubertal children. ...
... Further, 10% (n = 17) of the participants were deemed to have pedophilic sexual interests based on having a score of 4 or 5 on the SSPI-2. These values are below estimates that 20%-50% of men who have sexually offended against children meet criteria for pedophilic disorder (Gerwinn et al., 2018;Schmidt et al., 2013;Seto, 2009Seto, , 2018Seto, , 2019Walker & Panfil, 2016). The mean score and standard deviation on the SSPI-2 in this study were also lower than in the original study, with significant differences on the 5 items (Seto et al., 2017a). ...
The accurate assessment of pedophilic sexual interests is crucial for the treatment and management of individuals who have sexually offended children. This study aimed to validate the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in a Portuguese sample of 170 men convicted of sexual offenses against children, 104 serving sentences in the community, and 66 in prison. The findings indicated that SSPI-2 demonstrated good convergent validity, as evidenced by its significant and positive associations with the "sexual deviance" item of SVR-20, the number of previous convictions for sexual crimes against children, and having 3 or more child victims, which is associated with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing men who show greater sexual arousal to children than to adults. Furthermore, the SSPI-2 exhibited good divergent validity, with no significant correlations observed with a self-report measure of psychopathy or with a nonsexual criminal history.
... The disorder is characterized by persistent and recurrent sexually arousing fantasies or urges (lasting >6 months) involving prepubescent children under the age of 13 (Fisher & Marwaha, 2022;Seto, 2012). Pedophilia is associated with a high prevalence of child sexual abuse, with 22 % to 43 % of these patients admitting to having had sexual contact with a child (Seto, 2009). These self-reports are supported by the fact that 50 % of convicted child offenders report a pedophilic preference (Gerwinn et al., 2018;Whitaker et al., 2008). ...
... Further, 10% (n = 17) of the participants were deemed to have pedophilic sexual interests based on having a score of 4 or 5 on the SSPI-2. These values are below estimates that 20%-50% of men who have sexually offended against children meet criteria for pedophilic disorder (Gerwinn et al., 2018;Schmidt et al., 2013;Seto, 2009Seto, , 2018Seto, , 2019Walker & Panfil, 2016). The mean score and standard deviation on the SSPI-2 in this study were also lower than in the original study, with significant differences on the 5 items (Seto et al., 2017a). ...
Based on the hypothesis that unobtrusively measured viewing time reflects sexual interest, it was predicted that viewing times should correlate with ratings of sexual attractiveness and with phallometrically measured age and gender preferences. Four additional predictions were derived from the Symons (1979) evolutionary theory of human mate preferences: (1) male and female subjects should view slides of young adults of the opposite sex longest and adults of the same sex and prepubescent children of both sexes the shortest, (2) the correlation between viewing time and sexual attractiveness ratings should be higher among males than females (3) males should look at slides of pubescent females longer than females look at slides of pubescent males, and (4) males should look longer at adult females than females look at adult males. Two studies involving 24 heterosexual females and 58 heterosexual males provided statistically significant support for all predictions except the last one.
Among child molesters, phallometrically measured sexual interest in children is associated with having male victims, multiple victims, younger victims, and extrafamilial victims. These sexual offense history variables are also associated with risk for sexual recidivism. The present study of 1,113 child molesters was conducted to determine if these sexual offense history variables could be used as items in a brief screening scale to identify pedophilic interests (SSPI: Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests). Using a cutoff score that classified 90% of a sample of 206 nonchild molesters as not having pedophilic interests, SSPI scores identified pedophilic interests among child molesters significantly better than did chance. In phallometric testing, individuals with the highest SSPI score were more than 5 times as likely to show pedophilic interests than individuals receiving the lowest score. The SSPI is not intended to be a substitute for phallometric testing, but it may be useful for triage and risk management when testing is difficult to conduct, or as a research instrument when phallometric data are unavailable.
To examine and describe hidden child sexual molestation committed by adolescent males, 582 college men were surveyed via an extensive questionnaire. Three percent (N = 16) of the men reported activity that met the criterion for sexually molesting a younger child. Most of the victimization experiences were initiated by the men (86%), and most involved female victims (67%). Few differences emerged between the molesters and nonmolesters on the family background variables, current adjustment measures, or measures of attitudes conceptually linked to sexually aggressive behavior. Compared to nonmolesters, however, the molesters were more likely to endorse rape myths and were more likely to have been sexually victimized as children.
Interest in the pharmacotherapeutic treatment of paraphilias is growing. Two classes of drugs have been tested: drugs that interfere with the normal production and action of androgens and psychotropic medications, in particular, anti‐depressants. We present a review of the supposed modes of action, the usual dosages, and the effectiveness of these drugs. Although the empirical validation of pharmacological interventions shows many methodological shortcomings, we conclude that pharmacological strategies as part of a “complete” psychotherapeutic programme can make a limited, yet relevant contribution to the treatment of paraphilias. More specifically, and provided that there is informed consent, antiandrogens should seriously be considered in the case of paraphilias, which are characterized by intense and frequent sexual desire and sexual arousal predisposing someone strongly to paraphilic behavior. Psychopharmacological interventions, also on the condition of informed consent, can be considered in the case of paraphilias, which are associated with obsessive‐compulsive or depressive disorders. Nonetheless, methodologically well‐designed studies remain a prerequisite for a definitive assessment of pharmacotherapy for paraphilias.