TY - JOUR
T1 - The eroticized violent crime
T2 - A psychiatric perspective with six clinical examples
AU - Berlin, Fred S.
AU - Lehne, Gregory K.
AU - Malin, H. Martin
AU - Hunt, Wayne P.
AU - Thomas, Kathryn
AU - Fuhrmaneck, Joseph
PY - 1997/1
Y1 - 1997/1
N2 - Rape and a variety of other sexual offenses are defined by statute as criminal acts. Understandably, from the victim’s perspective, such acts, especially sexual assault, are experienced as aggressive and hostile traumas. Descriptions of the perpetrator’s actions, and of their consequences, do not necessarily help to elucidate motivation. Sexual offenses can be enacted out of a variety of motivations. In some cases, the behaviors in question may be a manifestation of a psychiatric disorder with accompanying severe impairment. This paper reviews the clinical cases of six convicted sexual offenders in an attempt to explore motivational factors. The cases presented include 1) a sociopathic opportunistic rapist; 2) an angry rapist; 3) a developmentally-impaired offender; 4) a psychotic rapist; 5) a paraphiliac, or sexually-driven rapist; and 6) a rare case of sexual assault associated with voyeurism. Substance abuse as an additional contributory factor is discussed as well. The behaviors of some sexual offenders are driven by pathological erotic cravings in a compulsive fashion analogous to an addiction. It is essential that professionals evaluate the motivation and not just the behaviors. Proper treatment may depend upon making the appropriate diagnosis.
AB - Rape and a variety of other sexual offenses are defined by statute as criminal acts. Understandably, from the victim’s perspective, such acts, especially sexual assault, are experienced as aggressive and hostile traumas. Descriptions of the perpetrator’s actions, and of their consequences, do not necessarily help to elucidate motivation. Sexual offenses can be enacted out of a variety of motivations. In some cases, the behaviors in question may be a manifestation of a psychiatric disorder with accompanying severe impairment. This paper reviews the clinical cases of six convicted sexual offenders in an attempt to explore motivational factors. The cases presented include 1) a sociopathic opportunistic rapist; 2) an angry rapist; 3) a developmentally-impaired offender; 4) a psychotic rapist; 5) a paraphiliac, or sexually-driven rapist; and 6) a rare case of sexual assault associated with voyeurism. Substance abuse as an additional contributory factor is discussed as well. The behaviors of some sexual offenders are driven by pathological erotic cravings in a compulsive fashion analogous to an addiction. It is essential that professionals evaluate the motivation and not just the behaviors. Proper treatment may depend upon making the appropriate diagnosis.
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U2 - 10.1080/10720169708400128
DO - 10.1080/10720169708400128
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85011444786
SN - 1072-0162
VL - 4
SP - 9
EP - 31
JO - Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity
JF - Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity
IS - 1
ER -