NCJ Number
179671
Date Published
1999
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This chapter on paraphilias encompasses a description of the problem; historical background; epidemiology; offender characteristics; family patterns; assessment and diagnosis; course, prognosis, and recidivism; and clinical management and treatment.
Abstract
Rape is not classified as a paraphilia in the DSM-IV, and this chapter considers that sexual violence is an expression of power rather than physical force. The concepts of blitz and confidence rapes and of anger and power rapes are discussed, along with the recent attention given to the rape of males, including male inmates, and of women in the workplace, the handicapped, and the mentally retarded. Because all child-adult sexual activities tend to be regarded as equally harmful, studies rarely report the degree of physical force involved. Those with fatal consequences receive widespread media attention. The role of feminist politics in establishing the current recognition of the importance of sexual violence is discussed, and the concept that rape is on a continuum with normal male behavior is modified. Rapists tend to be younger than child molesters, and the latter are more likely to have organic brain syndromes and to report experiencing childhood sexual victimization. Sex offenders were found to use more pornography than nonoffenders in adulthood, but not in adolescence. Sexually assaultive males are commonly delinquent, more sexually active than nonassaultive males, and often use alcohol or drugs prior to the assault. Reports of outcome of treated and untreated sex offenders are too variable to establish recidivism. Modification of inappropriate sexual arousal, usually by aversive procedures, remains the central aim of most treatment programs for child molesters and rapists, although the evidence that this can be accomplished is inadequate. 133 references