Steven Feelgood’s research while affiliated with TU Dresden and other places

Little is known about men who have not yet committed child sexual abuse but may be at risk of doing so (potential offenders) and the factors that distinguish these men from undetected child sexual abuse offenders with a sexual interest in children (Dunkelfeld offenders). The present study describes and compares potential and Dunkelfeld offenders, which can be viewed as ideal target groups for (primary) prevention efforts with respect to child sexual abuse. Also, this study seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of using a telephone screening procedure to conduct research with these groups. Using a computer assisted telephone interview (CATI), data on demographics, mental health, sexuality, criminal history, and victim characteristics were collected from respondents in a nation-wide media campaign, which informed potential (re-)offenders of child sexual abuse of a research and treatment project. Many participants reported recurrent sexual fantasies involving minors, as well as related distress, suggesting a high prevalence of pedophilia and hebephilia. More than half feared they would sexually abuse a minor, and Dunkelfeld offenders reported 3.2 victims on average. Group comparisons revealed that Dunkelfeld offenders were, for example, more likely to perceive themselves being at risk of offending, compared to potential offenders. The results suggest that targeting potential and Dunkelfeld offenders could prove a worthwhile approach in the prevention of child sexual abuse.

Kognitive Verzerrungen gehoren zu den dynamischen Risikofaktoren fur Kindesmissbrauch. Diese Arbeit untersucht psychometrische Kennwerte der deutschsprachigen Version der Bumby Child Molest Scale, einem Verfahren, das kognitive Verzerrungen hinsichtlich sexueller Kontakte mit Kindern erfasst. In der ersten Studie wurden 33 Missbrauchstater, 15 Vergewaltiger und 23 Gewalttater ohne Sexualdelikt mit der deutschsprachigen Version der Bumby Child Molest Scale und weiteren Fragebogenverfahren untersucht. An einer zweiten Studie nahmen 52 Missbrauchstater (davon 18 mit der Diagnose einer Padophilie) sowie 31 Gewalttater teil. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine sehr gute interne Konsistenz der Skala. In beiden Studien erreichen Tater mit Missbrauchsdelikten hohere Werte als Gewalttater. Positive Korrelationen finden sich zwischen der Molest Scale und anderen Masen fur kognitive Verzerrungen und Rechtfertigung; negative mit Masen fur Empathie. Hingegen finden sich keine bedeutsamen Korrelationen mit der Tendenz zur sozial erwunschten Antwort und der psychopathologischen Symptombelastung. Die Skala erscheint fur den Forschungseinsatz im Rahmen von kriminologischen und klinisch-psychologischen Studien gut geeignet.

In the present study we analysed to what extent the categories used in empirical child molester research were sociolegal (based on offence types) or psychopathological (based on nomological systems of psychological types or mental disorders). Based on a systematic Medline and PsycInfo search, 714 empirical studies on child molesters from 1972 to 2004 were analysed with regard to the categories and diagnostic procedures used. The majority of studies used a grouping procedure based on an offence-orientated criterion (child molesters versus others), whereas only a few referred to diagnoses and, hence, to nomological systems utilized in clinical psychology and psychiatry. The results also indicated the presence of extensive classification pluralism and a dominance of publication in specialized forensic journals. Critical consequences of this research practice are discussed with regard to comparability of studies, heterogeneity of study groups, theory development and, particularly, the generalizability of child molester research. Finally, we propose a research strategy that is grounded more profoundly in methodological considerations and a more interdisciplinary orientation in sexual offender research.

The aim of this research project is to offer preventive therapy to individuals who are sexually attracted to children and seek help in remaining offence free without being mandated by the legal system. The superior objective of the project is to prevent child sexual abuse by establishing qualified preventive therapy to potential sexual offenders and sexual offenders in the "Dunkelfeld" (sexual offences not reported to the legal system). By May 2006 over 365 persons had inquired about the project. Special attention is required in the differential diagnostics of pedophilia because reported sexual fantasies and socio-sexual behaviour are often contradictory. According to the results of the psychological examination, the participants come out to be above average introverted, depressed, anxious and paranoid.

Sexual coping, general coping and cognitive distortions were investigated in 25 rapists, 36 child molesters and 25 violent offenders. Rapists did not report more support for rape-supportive distortions than the violent offender comparison group. Child molesters scored higher than the other groups on the measure of molestation-supportive distortions, although mean scores were at the low end of the scale. Consistent with previous research, all offender groups reported ineffective coping styles and child molesters reported using more emotion-oriented coping than the non-sexual offenders. Child molesters but not rapists scored higher than violent offenders on deviant aspects of sexual coping, although mean scores were at the low end of the sub-scales. Evaluation of these comparisons was aided by effect sizes. The effect sizes reveal that there may indeed be differences between rapists and the comparison group with respect to cognitive distortions and sexual coping. Modest correlations were found between deviant sexual coping and cognitive distortions. The findings are interpreted in terms of etiological development and the sexual offence process.