Murders Who Rape and Mutilate

• NCJ Number: 103030
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (Sepatember 1986) Pages: 273-287
• Author(s): R K Ressler; A W Burgess; J E Douglas; C R Hartman; A McCormack
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): 84-JN-AX-K010
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The relationship between sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence and sexual interests, activities, and deviations was assessed in data for 28 convicted sexually oriented murders studied between 1979-1983.

Abstract

In comparing sexual murderers with a history of sex abuse (12) with those without such a history (16) a relationship approaching significance was found between early abuse and sexual deviations of zoophilia and sexual sadism, with the ultimate expression of the murderer's perversion being the mutilation of the victim. Murders with a sexual abuse history reported fantasizing about rape earlier than those without abuse histories and reported an aversion to peer sex in adolescence and adulthood. Significant differences in behavioral indicators compared across developmental levels of childhood included cruelty to animals. Differences approaching significance included isolation, convulsions, cruelty to children, and assaultive behaviors toward adults. Significant differences in adolescent behaviors of abused and nonabused offenders included sleep problems, daydreams, rebelliousness, and assaultive behaviors toward adults, while differences in temper tantrums and self-mutilation approached significance. 31 references. (Author abstract modifed)