NCJ Number
60205
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFENDERS AND VICTIMS OF INDECENT EXPOSURE ARE DESCRIBED, AND GUIDELINES TO ASSIST POLICE OFFICERS IN APPREHENDING EXHIBITIONISTS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
INDECENT EXPOSURE IS ESTIMATED IN ONE STUDY TO REPRESENT ONE-THIRD OF ALL REPORTED SEX OFFENSES. CRIME STATISTICS ALSO INDICATE THAT THE PUBLIC IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY WILLING TO REPORT VICTIMIZATION OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH SEXUAL INCIDENTS TO THE POLICE. IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE, EXHIBITIONISTS FEEL COMPELLED TO EXPOSE THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO RELIEVE TENSION AND ANXIETY. A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF SELF-ESTEEM IS AN IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. ALTHOUGH EXHIBITIONISTIC BEHAVIOR MAY FIRST APPEAR DURING ADULTHOOD, IT MORE COMMONLY BEGINS IN EARLY LIFE AND CONTINUES EPISODICALLY THEREAFTER. INDECENT EXPOSURE IS VIRTUALLY AN ALL-MALE CRIME, AND MEN CONVICTED OF THE CRIME ARE LIKELY TO BE MARRIED. MOST EXHIBITIONISTS WORK IN SKILLED TRADES OR AS LABORERS, WITH A PREFERENCE FOR 'MANLY' OCCUPATIONS, ALTHOUGH EXHIBITIONISM IS FOUND AT ALL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LEVELS. MASTURBATION OFTEN OCCURS DURING THE ACT OF EXHIBITION. VICTIMS ARE USUALLY WOMEN OR YOUNG GIRLS. VICTIM REACTIONS ARE RELATED TO PERCEPTIONS OF THE PHYSICAL THREAT INVOLVED AND AGE, BACKGROUND, PERSONALITY, AND SEXUAL EXPERIENCES. REACTIONS RANGE FROM LACK OF CONCERN THROUGH MILD IRRITATION, SHOCK, ANGER, AGGRESSIVE CONFRONTATION, DISGUST, AND FEAR TO THE OTHER EXTREME OF EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES ENDURING BEYOND THE ACTUAL INCIDENT. TYPICAL LOCATIONS SELECTED BY EXHIBITIONISTS, USUALLY OUTDOORS AND IN DAYLIGHT, INCLUDE STREETS AND ALLEYS, VEHICLES, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, RECREATIONAL AREAS, HOMES, AND PUBLIC AREAS. AFTER PROBABLE CASE LOCATION, TIME, AND DAY OF WEEK HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD MAKE THEIR PRESENCE FELT IN THE AREA TO DETER FURTHER INCIDENTS OR TO OBSERVE SUSPECTS. SINCE EXHIBITIONISTS TEND TO BE REPEAT OFFENDERS, DESCRIPTIONS AND METHODS OF OPERATION MAY LINK A SUSPECT TO THE CRIME. POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD ESTABLISH THAT THE OFFENDER'S ACTION WAS BOTH WILLFUL AND INDECENT WHEN INVESTIGATING A CASE. A COMPARISON OF THE OFFENDER'S STATEMENT WITH STATEMENTS OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES CAN ASSIST IN DETERMINING INTENT. PERSONS APPREHENDED FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE SHOULD BE QUESTIONED AT LENGTH TO EVALUATE THEIR POTENTIAL DANGEROUSNESS. A DISCUSSION GUIDE ACCOMPANIES THE ARTICLE. (DEP)