Sexual Abuse A Journal of Research and Treatment
Journal Prestige (SJR): 1.314 Citation Impact (citeScore): 2 Number of Followers: 44 Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles) ISSN (Print) 1079-0632 - ISSN (Online) 1573-286X Published by Sage Publications [1176 journals] |
- Convergent and Divergent Validity of the Child Pornography Offender Risk
Tool (CPORT) in a Clinical Sample From California-
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Authors: Allen Azizian, Angela W. Eke, Linda Farmus, Shelby Scott, Michael C. Seto
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
The Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) is a seven-item actuarial risk assessment tool that is used to estimate the potential for sexual recidivism among men convicted of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM; legally referred to as child pornography) offenses. In the current study, we examined the convergent and divergent validity of the CPORT in a clinical sample of 224 men on federal probation in the United States who were convicted of at least one type of CSEM offense. CPORT scores were significantly, moderately, and positively correlated with scores on another sexual offense risk assessment tool, the Risk Matrix 2000 (RM2000/S), showing broad evidence of convergent validity, and was nonsignificantly associated with scores on a general offense risk assessment tool, the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), showing evidence of divergent validity. There was also evidence of specific convergent validity; for example, the CPORT item reflecting prior criminal history was most strongly related to the Criminal History domain of the LS/CMI, and CPORT items reflecting sexual interest in children were significantly and strongly associated with self-reported sexual interest in children from the clinical evaluation. We also examined the impact of including clinical information in the scoring of the CPORT. Including this information reduced the amount of missing scores, but the impact on predictive accuracy is not yet known. Implications for clinical practices are discussed.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-14T11:44:53Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271245
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- Theories on the Etiology of Deviant Sexual Interests: A Systematic Review
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Authors: Eveline E. Schippers, Larissa M. Hoogsteder, Vivienne de Vogel
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Not much is known about the etiology, or development, of deviant sexual interests. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a broad overview of current theories on the etiology of sexual deviance. We conducted a systematic search of the databases PubMed and APA PsycInfo (EBSCO). Studies were included when they discussed a theory regarding the etiology or development of sexual deviance. Included studies were assessed on quality criteria for good theories. Common etiological themes were extracted using thematic analysis. We included 47 theories explaining sexual deviance in general as well as various specific deviant sexual interests, such as pedophilia and sadism/masochism. Few theories (k = 7) were of acceptable quality as suggested by our systematic assessment of quality criteria for good theories (QUACGOT). These theories indicated that deviant sexual interests may develop as the result of an interplay of various factors: excitation transfer between emotions and sexual arousal, conditioning, problems with “normative” sexuality, and social learning. Neurobiological findings could not be included as no acceptable quality neurobiological theories could be retrieved. The important roles of excitation transfer and conditioning designate that dynamic, changeable processes take part in the etiology of sexual deviance. These same processes could potentially be deployed to diminish unwanted deviant sexual interests.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-14T02:28:39Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271308
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- Does No Mean No' Situational and Dispositional Factors Influence Emerging
Adult Men’s Intentions to Use Assault Tactics in Response to Women’s
Sexual Refusal During Hookups-
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Authors: Allison M. McKinnon, Richard E. Mattson, Ashton M. Lofgreen
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Hookups can result in sexual assault when men do not listen to requests from women to stop. It is thus important to identify factors that influence men’s decisions to override direct refusals in these situations. Presently, we administered first-person vignettes depicting a prototypical hookup wherein the woman refuses the man’s attempt to escalate intimacy. Using a national sample of emerging adult men (N = 420), we found that they on average did not completely rule out coercive or forcible tactics, but those elevated on rape myth acceptance, hypermasculinity, and psychopathy were uniquely at risk of assault when controlling for several other traits known to correlate with rape. Participants also reported being likelier to use coercive sexual practices when refusals occurred at higher levels of sexual intimacy already attained. Notably, diagnostic analyses revealed that a subset of men had a disproportionate influence on the regression estimates, and that these men were not only elevated across a range of assault-relevant traits, but also endorsed higher likelihoods of using coercion and force in the face of female sexual refusal. Although removal of these cases did not substantively alter the results, exploratory analyses revealed that these individuals responded differently to situational factors in ways that suggested sexual opportunism. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-14T02:06:20Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268527
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- Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder: Patterns of Use in Sexually Violent
Predator Evaluations-
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Authors: Nicole Graham, Cynthia Calkins, Elizabeth Jeglic
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
“Sexually violent predator” (SVP) legislation requires, in part, that an individual has a mental abnormality that causes difficulty in controlling sexual behavior. Previous research has found paraphilia not otherwise specified (NOS) as one of the most prevalent diagnoses proffered in SVP evaluations. However, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) modified paraphilia NOS diagnosis in two ways. First, this diagnosis was divided into two new diagnostic categories: other specified paraphilic disorder (OSPD) and unspecified paraphilic disorder. Second, OSPD required an added specifier to indicate the individual’s source of sexual arousal. To date, no study has systematically explored how the revision to paraphilia NOS has affected diagnoses within SVP evaluations. The current study explored the frequency and diagnostic reliability of paraphilic disorders in a sample of 190 adult men evaluated for SVP civil commitment using the DSM-5. Results indicated that OSPD was the second most common paraphilic disorder, next to pedophilic disorder. However, there was poor to fair agreement (kappa = 0.21, p < .01) between independent evaluators in providing this diagnosis. Additionally, the two most common OSPD specifiers were non-consent and hebephilia, despite recent debate and rejection of these constructs from the DSM-5. While these constructs were the most prevalent, the specifiers contained quite varied terminology, suggesting vague diagnostic tendencies within these evaluations. Given that the presence of a mental abnormality is the cornerstone to the constitutionality of SVP commitment, diagnostic practices should be based in reliable and valid techniques.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-10T12:19:07Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271086
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- Understanding Child Sexual Exploitation Dynamics: Development and
Validation of a Taxonomy of Recruitment and Domination Strategies-
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Authors: Carolina Andana, Omar Saldaña, Álvaro Rodríguez-Carballeira
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Child sexual exploitation is a form of interpersonal violence which involves the use of manipulation, control, and coercion strategies to recruit and dominate minors. This study aimed to develop and validate a taxonomy that identifies, defines, and classifies these abusive strategies. The taxonomy was developed from an extensive literature review and its contents were validated via expert evaluation through a two-round Delphi method with 31 participants. Experts also judged the frequency of each strategy’s usage to recruit and dominate the victims in sex trade, sex trafficking, sex tourism, and online sexual exploitation. The taxonomy comprises 20 specific strategies, classified into five categories: isolation, control of personal life, emotional abuse, cognitive manipulation, and behavioral domination. According to the experts, the strategy most frequently used to recruit the minors is “affective enticement”, and the strategy that contributes most to the maintenance of the exploitative situation is “instrumentalization of sexuality”. Nevertheless, different patterns were found regarding the frequency with which each strategy is used when considering the four manifestations of sexual exploitation separately. Delimiting the abusive strategies commonly perpetrated in child sexual exploitation improves our understanding of this complex phenomenon and could contribute to the development of effective prevention and intervention approaches.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-10T12:14:28Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271091
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- Understanding Social Judgments of and Proclivities to Commit Upskirting
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Authors: Dean Fido, Craig A. Harper, Simon Duff, Thomas E. Page
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Against a backdrop of legislative change that sees the taking of private sexual images underneath the clothing of a non-consenting other being made a criminal offence – upskirting – there is a need to understand the public’s judgments of and motivations to perpetrate said behavior. In this study (N = 490), we investigated whether judgments of upskirting differed as a function of the sex of the person who was upskirted (male, female) and their perceived attractiveness (attractive, unattractive), as well as how variation in voyeuristic interest, belief in a just world, and dark personality traits predicted judgments of and proclivity to engage in upskirting. We consistently observed more lenient judgments of upskirting behavior when the person who was upskirted was attractive and male, with such judgements predicted by older age across all conditions. Moreover, proclivity to engage in upskirting was predicted by past voyeuristic behaviors, higher psychopathic personality, and being male and of older age. We discuss our findings in the context of needing to qualitatively understand the rationale underpinning these judgments, combating barriers to disclose victimization, and practitioner implications.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-06T09:04:19Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268469
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- The Relevance of Hypersexuality and Impulsivity in Different Groups of
Treatment-Seekers With and Without (Exclusive) Pedophilia-
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Authors: Ralf Bergner-Koether, Lasse Peschka, Alexander Pastukhov, Claus-Christian Carbon, Sabine Steins-Loeber, Göran Hajak, Martin Rettenberger
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Hypersexuality and impulsivity are regarded as risk factors for sexual offending against children. Studies exploring these factors in undetected men who offended or are at risk of offending are rare. This study aims to investigate hypersexuality and impulsivity in treatment-seeking men with and without a diagnosis of (exclusive) pedophilia who committed child sexual abuse (CSA), consumed child sexual abuse images (CSAI), or feel at risk of offending sexually. Data were obtained from three child abuse prevention projects in Bamberg, Germany. We employed self-report (BIS-11, HBI), objective measures (TSO), and risk assessment tools (STABLE-2007). We computed Bayesian ordinal logit and binomial generalized linear models to explore differences between groups and to predict lifetime CSA and CSAI. Hypersexuality scores were particularly pronounced in patients with exclusive and non-exclusive pedophilia. Patients without pedophilia scored similarly to nonclinical samples. Impulsivity measures did not consistently differ between groups. We could not predict lifetime CSA and CSAI using impulsivity and hypersexuality measures. Sexual rather than general impulsivity seems to be an issue in men with pedophilia. The motivation to offend in patients without pedophilia is discussed.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-06T06:06:21Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271204
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- The Relation Between Sexual Fantasies and Offense-Supportive Cognitions in
People Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Preliminary Study-
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Authors: María Riberas-Gutiérrez, María Prieto Ursúa, José Ángel Martínez-Huertas, Nereida Bueno-Guerra
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
The main objective of this research is to study the relationships of offense-supportive cognitions and sexual fantasies with sex crime. The research involved 48 men: 26 convicted of sexual offenses against minors and 22 convicted of sexual offenses against adults from different prisons in the Community of Madrid, Spain. We used the RAPE Scale and the Sex With Children Scale to evaluate offense-supportive cognitions and an ad hoc adaptation of the Multidimensional Developmental, Sex and Aggression Inventory to evaluate sexual fantasies with minors and sadomasochistic fantasies. The results show that both groups present similar offense-supportive cognitions, while each group had significantly more sexual fantasies related to their specific crime. Participants who had sexual fantasies about minors presented significantly more offense-supportive cognitions justifying child sexual abuse than those who did not present these fantasies, while participants with sadomasochistic fantasies did not present more offense-supportive cognitions about rape. After collecting this information, we ran four mediation models to assess potential relationships between fantasies, offense-supportive cognitions, and specific sexual crime. The mediation models showed that both sexual fantasies with minors and sadomasochistic fantasies had direct relationships with sex crimes. Upon further confirmation with studies with larger sample sizes, our findings support the importance of dealing with sexual fantasies in treatment of people convicted of sexual offenses and imply a need for differentiated treatment, since the content of sexual fantasies was different in each group.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-04T11:06:07Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271226
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- Does Being Over 60 Years Old at Index Offense Impact Sexual Recidivism
Risk' A Large-Scale Comparison of Men Released Over the Age of 60-
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Authors: Jeffrey C. Sandler, Naomi J. Freeman
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Research has consistently found risk for sexual recidivism drops as men convicted of a sexual offense age. One question that remains, however, is whether this age-related reduction in risk applies to men who commit their sexual offenses at an older age. The current study examined this question in a sample of 939 men who were screened for civil management and released to the community (mean follow-up = 6.33 years, SD = 3.98 years), by comparing the sexual recidivism rates of (a) 238 men convicted of sexual offenses committed over the age of 60 (Over-60 Index group), and (b) 701 men who committed sexual offenses under the age of 60 but who were released to the community over the age of 60 (Under-60 Index group). Even though the Under-60 Index group was significantly higher risk at release, the Over-60 Index group sexually recidivated at a significantly higher rate, a difference largely driven by the small group of men who had committed sexual offenses both under and over the age of 60. The Static-99R was a strong predictor of sexual recidivism regardless of age at sexual offending (i.e., just under 60, just over 60, or both under and over 60). The 2021 Routine Samples norms significantly overpredicted sexual recidivism for the Under-60 Index group and significantly underpredicted sexual recidivism for the Over-60 Index group, indicating that the use of the 2016 High Risk/High Needs norms could be more appropriate for the Over-60 Index group, particularly those men who sexually offended under the age of 60 before sexually offending over the age of 60.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-08-02T10:14:28Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241271167
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- The Influence of Race on Detected and Undetected Sexual Offense Histories:
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Authors: Sharon M. Kelley, Rachel E. Kahn, Gangaw Zaw
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
Understanding the difference between the proportion of sexual offenses that are officially detected versus the total number of sexual crimes that occur has been of interest to decision makers for some time. Previous studies have not considered possible racial differences. More aggressive responses by police and the criminal justice system as well as cultural differences in victim type/reporting rates may result in differences between detection rates of Black versus White men. In the current study (N = 190), we examined the difference between Black (n = 51) and White (n = 139) men committed to a forensic hospital as a Sexually Violent Person on factors that could impact the detected rate. Overall, we found that White men had significantly more total victims, undetected victims, undetected and detected child victims, total male victims, undetected male victims, undetected acquaintance victims, and total (detected and undetected) acquaintance victims than Black men. Black men had significantly more detected adult victims, but this difference did not remain when accounting for undetected victims. We explore reasons for these differences as well as provide recommendations for practice.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-07-31T07:03:10Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268472
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- Validation of the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests
(SSPI-2) in Portugal-
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Authors: Cláudia Gouveia, Marta Sousa, Olga Cunha, Michael Seto, Andreia de Castro-Rodrigues, Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
The accurate assessment of pedophilic sexual interests is crucial for the treatment and management of individuals who have sexually offended children. This study aimed to validate the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in a Portuguese sample of 170 men convicted of sexual offenses against children, 104 serving sentences in the community, and 66 in prison. The findings indicated that SSPI-2 demonstrated good convergent validity, as evidenced by its significant and positive associations with the “sexual deviance” item of SVR-20, the number of previous convictions for sexual crimes against children, and having 3 or more child victims, which is associated with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing men who show greater sexual arousal to children than to adults. Furthermore, the SSPI-2 exhibited good divergent validity, with no significant correlations observed with a self-report measure of psychopathy or with a nonsexual criminal history.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-07-31T05:45:44Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268502
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- Intellectual Ability and Sexual Recidivism Risk Assessment: Comparing
Predictive Accuracy in an Incarcerated U.S. Sample-
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Authors: Perry A. Callahan, Elizabeth L. Jeglic, Cynthia Calkins
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
While studies indicate that individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) are overrepresented among those incarcerated for sexual offenses, there is a paucity of research with respect to risk assessment for this population, particularly among incarcerated U.S. samples. This gap is concerning given that individuals perceived as high risk may be denied bail, given harsher sentences, or subject to civil confinement. The present study examined the predictive validity of the Static-99 and Static-99R, which rely on historical predictors, and the MnSOST-R, which includes a dynamic subscale. Archival records were used to compare individuals with (n = 459) and without (n = 459) ID/BIF released from New Jersey state prisons between 1996 and 2007, with an average follow-up period of 5.7 years. All three instruments demonstrated good predictive validity for those without ID/BIF, while only the MnSOST-R produced a significant AUC value for those with ID/BIF. Reincarceration rates for those with ID/BIF within high-risk groups ranged from 0% to 8%, similar to the overall recidivism base rate of 4%. Results highlight the need for additional research to determine which risk factors should be considered for those with ID/BIF.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-07-30T07:26:43Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268471
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- Explaining the Unexplainable: Balancing Responsibility, Expectations, and
Identity in Narratives of Sexual Recidivism-
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Authors: Ingeborg Jenssen Sandbukt
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
When someone is caught and punished for a sexual offense, recidivism prevention is of high priority. While a growing body of qualitative research has investigated the desistance process of those who have sexually offended, few studies have examined the narratives of individuals who have sexually recidivated in order to understand how they make sense of their reoffending. This study aims to fill this gap in the literature by exploring the recidivism process and broader life stories of 16 imprisoned men through semi-structured interviews. The results demonstrate how these men explain their recent “failures,” the obstacles they face when doing so, and how they attempt to overcome these obstacles in their narratives. Thus, the analysis in this study is both thematic and narrative. Finally, the findings’ practical implications are discussed to show how ambiguity in narratives can be a powerful tool in correctional and clinical interventions.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-07-26T02:08:53Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268478
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- Perspectives, Treatment Goals, and Approaches of Prevention-Specialist
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Authors: Azadeh Nematy, Susan Flynn, Simon McCarthy-Jones
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
The provision of effective mental health services to individuals attracted to children is rapidly expanding. However, these services have not yet been integrated into general mental healthcare systems and are mainly offered by organizations that predominantly provide services to child sexual abuse perpetrators. Little is known about the perspective, treatment goals, and approaches employed by prevention-specialist mental health professionals when working with clients attracted to children. To address this gap, we used purposive sampling to recruit 10 practitioners who had experience of working in prevention settings with clients attracted to children. After conducting semi-structured interviews and analyzing data through interpretative phenomenological analysis, we identified three main themes and four subthemes within the data. While most participants believed that attraction to minors is unmodifiable or doubted the possibility of modifiability, this belief did not necessarily manifest in their practice. Participants stressed the importance of finding safe alternatives for clients and highlighted the significance of accessing evidence-based information on alternative sexual outlets, such as sex dolls. One overarching theme that emerged across all themes and within participants' accounts was the concern of escalation, indicating a fear that pedophilic fantasies or alternative sexual outlets such as sex dolls could potentially lead to sexual offenses. The findings shed light on the approach of prevention-specialist mental health professionals in working with clients attracted to children and may be used to inform future intervention plans to facilitate service provision to this population.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-07-25T06:51:41Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268465
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- Unveiling the Elephant in the Room: How do Psychologists Perceive
Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses'-
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Authors: Sara Veggi, Marialaura Di Tella, Georgia Zara
Abstract: Sexual Abuse, Ahead of Print.
The societal reintegration of individuals with criminal records, particularly involving sexual offenses, faces challenges due to moral condemnation. Professionals’ perspectives are pivotal in facilitating this reintegration process. This study surveyed 314 psychologists via a web-based experiment to assess their judgments regarding allegations of sexual violence and perpetrator’s denial. Psychologists with experience in working with individuals convicted of sexual offenses showed a decreased propensity to grant prison benefits upon the progressive disclosure of the sexual offense, which diminished further in the presence of denial. For psychologists lacking such professional experience, judgment worsened solely with the discovery of the sexual offense, but not with denial. Psychologists not experienced in working with individuals with sexual convictions were generally found to have higher levels of malignant satisfaction than their experienced counterparts. Additionally, experienced psychologists exhibited a greater willingness to manage forensic cases and endorsed the effectiveness of treatment, while non-experts displayed less confidence in treatment efficacy, hesitancy in working with such individuals, and a propensity to delegate the case. Availability to handle the case diminished as more information surfaced for both groups. These findings highlight differences in professionals’ attitudes based on experience and suggest implications for understanding punitive attitudes towards individuals with sexual convictions.
Citation: Sexual Abuse
PubDate: 2024-07-25T01:49:19Z
DOI: 10.1177/10790632241268457
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