Sexual Perpetrators

One of the most horrific labels which ranks right up there with serial killers is the pedophiles. I have spent many years assessing through diagnostic testing, therapy, and treatment to learn why these individuals continue to victimize children.

Sadly, our own professionals in the field were grossly misguided and had skewed distorted perceptions of the diagnosis itself. The (DSM) is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This text allows a diagnosis, a label be placed on an individual by reviewing a constellation of symptoms. It also allows financial reimbursement to the therapist or doctor. The third edition came out in 1980. This edition was used until the year 2000. Under the diagnosis of Pedophilia there is a differential diagnosis to avoid the label. (here it comes! and I quote:)

“ISOLATED SEXUAL ACTS WITH CHILDREN DO NOT WARRANT THE DIAGNOSIS OF PEDOPHILIA. SUCH ACTS MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY MARITAL DISCORD, RECENT LOSS, OR INTENSE LONELINESS. IN SUCH INSTANCES THE DESIRE FOR SEX WITH A CHILD MAY BE UNDERSTOOD AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A PREFERRED BUT UNOBTAINABLE ADULT.”

In other words our Professional Society of Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Social Workers would give an out for those abusing children if they fell into this category. Needless to say this was removed in the DSM IV, revised edition which came out in 2000.

Pedophiles do fit certain profiles. They are not specific to any socioeconomic class, they are not necessarily the creepy, disheveled guy at the corner bar. Less than five percent of homosexuals are pedophiles, this is a large misconception that homosexuals abuse children.

Pedophiles are usually less than six feet tall, they are usually engaging and very pleasant, they have to be in order to gain trust with the victim, as well as gaining trust with the victims family. Approximately thirty percent were victims as a child, this leaves sixty percent that had never experienced abuse. The majority of pedophiles do not get caught for their worst offense, seventy percent have other sexual fetishes like voyeurism and exhibitionism, thirty percent are related to the victim, and pedophiles do not necessarily have to reach an arousal state to abuse. I have had patients that were impotent in their seventh and eighth decade of life continue to sexually abuse children.

Perpetrators go through a mental cycle of offending. There is actually a short lived cycle of guilt that takes place after the abuse. This guilt cycle they experience varies in duration and intensity before they need to reoffend again.

In my book, Above His Shoulders I discuss the “grooming process” that occurs. Grooming is the premeditated, calculated manipulation of trust with the victim. This grooming can occur even with the victims family. It can take months to years to establish the confidence of the child and the family before the actual abuse takes place.

As with serial killers, perpetrators become over confident. The more victims they abuse the less cautious they may become. This will lead to a mistake and eventually a conviction. The psychological profile, methodology and behavior of a sexual perpetrator is disturbing to say the least. This may be a few reasons why our society shows gross reluctance to spend the appropriate time, research and money towards treatment.

The recidivism rate is high, the treatment is expensive. There are no short term answers. The best treatment is educating our children to be vigilant and disclose immediately to a loved one. Prevention can make a difference.

For more in depth information please visit www.peaceandhealing.com