Special Considerations in the Psychiatric Evaluation of Sexual Offenders Against Minors (From Juvenile Psychiatry and the Law, P 119-132, 1989, Richard Rosner and Harold I Schwartz, eds. -- See NCJ-119142)

• NCJ Number: 119150
• Author(s): F S Berlin
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Plenum Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The treatment of adults who have become sexually involved with children depends on first making a proper differential diagnosis, because the behavior may be a manifestation of a pedophilic erotic drive or of a nonparaphilic condition such as mental retardation, affective disorder, antisocial traits, schizophrenia, or drug intoxication.

Abstract

Four types of therapy have been proposed to treat pedophilia. These are insight-oriented psychotherapy, behavior therapy, surgery, and medication plus group counseling. Introspection alone and behavior therapy both have limitations. Lowering testosterone seems to influence sexual motivation rather than just the ability to perform sexually, but surgery is not necessary to lower testosterone. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is one of two medications available. It is not curative and is ordinarily used in conjunction with group counseling. Unfortunately, the law sometimes deters interested persons from seeking out needed medical care in that it may require adults who have become involved sexually with children to be reported for purposes of possible criminal prosecution. Both psychiatry and the law are interested in understanding and sometimes modifying human behavior. Integrating moral concepts with scientific discoveries is important in addressing pedophilia, because biological drives are involved and the victimizers often were victimized as children. 17 references.