Empirical Investigation of Floodgates Factors in Child Sexual Abusers (From Sex Offender: New Insights, Treatment Innovations and Legal Developments, Volume II, P 4-1 to 4-19, 1997, Barbara K. Schwartz and Henry R. Cellini, eds. - See NCJ-167745)

• NCJ Number: 167748
• Author(s): M A Gould
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Civic Research Institute, Inc
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The role of floodgates factors in child sexual abuse was studied in a sample of 139 male sex offenders ages 21 to 71.

Abstract

The analysis used a model for the dynamics of sexual assault; the model functions as a dam and includes the concept of floodgates of inhibition as one of its five basic components. The research considered 10 floodgates factors, including alcohol use, drug use, prior felonies, lack of empathy, psychiatric disorders, and brain damage. The participants included both outpatient and incarcerated offenders and familial and nonfamilial offenders. Participants completed the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, the SRE, and a 29-item questionnaire covering demographic information and floodgates factors. Results revealed that alcohol use (61.2 percent) and drug use (64.7 percent) were the most frequently endorsed floodgates factors. In addition, a considerable number of participants reported that they had sustained a serious head injury, had been diagnosed as developmentally disabled, or had been in special education classes in school. Findings provide some empirical support for Schwartz's model of the dynamics of sexual assault, particularly for the floodgates of inhibition. Findings also indicated the additive function of the floodgates factors and suggested areas in which further research is needed. Tables and 54 references