Genesis of Pedophilia: Testing the "Abuse-to-Abuser" Hypothesis (From Sex Offender Treatment: Biological Dysfunction, Intrapsychic Conflict, Interpersonal Violence, P 85-101, 1996, Eli Coleman, S. Margretta Dwyer, et al., eds. - See NCJ-174052)

• NCJ Number: 174057
• Author(s): J P Fedoroff; S Pinkus
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the hypothesis that the genesis of adult male sex offenses against children is the offender's own childhood sexual abuse.

Abstract

The study tested three versions of the "abuse-to-abuser" hypothesis: (1) the age men are abused determines the age of their sexual victims; (2) sexually abused men are likely to reenact the type of abuse they experienced; and (3) men who were sexually abused as children are more likely to sexually abuse male children. A consecutive series was retrospectively reviewed consisting of 100 men accused of sexually abusing children. Subjects completed a standardized, semistructured interview. The study found no support for an association between age of abuse of the offender and that offender's victim. The nature of the relationship between seriousness of the offenders' own abuse and the seriousness of their offenses needs further study. Sexually assaulted offenders are no more likely to abuse boys than non-assaulted offenders. However, sexually assaulted offenders may be more willing to admit to pedophilic fantasies than non-assaulted offenders. The article discusses implications of these findings for the "abuse-to-abuser" hypothesis. Table, figures, references, notes