Abusers - A Review of the Research (From Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse, P 89-118, 1986, by David Finkelhor et al - See NCJ-101988)

• NCJ Number: 101989
• Author(s): S Araji; D Finkelhor
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 30 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study reviews empirical research underlying theories explaining why child sexual molesters have an emotional congruence with children, are sexually aroused by children, are not gratified by adult sexual relationships, and are not deterred by normative prohibitions against adult-child sexual relationships.

Abstract

Research indicates that child molesters manifest an unusual pattern of sexual arousal toward children, although no substantiated theory explains why this is so. A number of studies concur that molesters are blocked in their adult social and heterosexual relationships. Research establishes alcohol as a disinhibiting factor significantly associated with many child sexual abuse offenses. At least one study shows that molesters are emotionally congruent with children because children lack the threat of dominance. One of the most consistent findings of recent research is that a significant number of child molesters were themselves sexually molested as children. A table summarizes the evidence for the major categories of explanatory theories of child molesting.