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Balcioglu YH, Dogan M, Incı I, Tabo A, Solmaz M. Understanding the dark side of personality in sex offenders considering the level of sexual violence. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2023; 31:254-273. [PMID: 38628251 PMCID: PMC11018081 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2023.2192259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between the actual level of physical violence in sexual offenses and dark triad, empathic and impulsive personality traits of their perpetrators. Sixty-four male perpetrators of sexual offenses without any serious mental illness were included. A 5-point Likert-type coding system based on Violence Profile for Current Offense was applied to assess the severity of physical violence of each sexual offense. Personality traits of dark triad (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism), trait empathy and impulsiveness were also evaluated. Multivariate analyses indicated that non-stranger victim, secondary psychopathy, narcissism and empathy could significantly predict greater involvement of physical violence in a sexual offense. In addition, empathy was negatively correlated with all dark triad traits. Sexual violence should be conceptualized in the form of a continuum, and, considering such an approach, offenders with high secondary psychopathy and narcissism may show preference for sexual assaults that are more violent in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasin Hasan Balcioglu
- Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Bakirkoy Prof Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Dogan
- Ministry of Justice, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ipek Incı
- Ministry of Justice, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulkadir Tabo
- Ministry of Justice, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Solmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Arbanas G, Marinovic P, Buzina N. Psychiatric and Forensic Characteristics of Sex Offenders With Child and With Adult Victims. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2022; 66:1195-1212. [PMID: 32698649 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x20944673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study presents psychiatric and forensic characteristics of people accused of a sexual crime and sent for evaluation. Data were drawn from the only institutional psychiatric forensic assessment center in Croatia, during a 9-year period, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018. There were 72 cases of sex offenses: 37 with child victims and 35 with adult victims. People accused of sex offenses with child victims were more often sexually abused during childhood and treated psychiatrically as inpatients. They used alcohol less often. Sex offenders with child victims were diagnosed with narcissistic and antisocial personality disorder, dementia, and pedophilic disorder. Those with adult victims were diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, alcohol related disorders and dementia. Due to these differences, the management of these two groups of offenders in both mental health and penal systems should be different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Arbanas
- University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Nadica Buzina
- University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, Croatia
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Arbanas G, Marinović P, Buzina N. Forensic psychiatric evaluations of people charged with rape in Croatia. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2022; 62:97-104. [PMID: 34661468 DOI: 10.1177/00258024211049849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual violence is a substantial public health problem that is associated with a major impact on victims, and in Croatia, more than half of reported cases of sexual violence involve rape. To help understand their general profiles and consider any implications arising, the aim of this research was to describe the forensic psychiatric characteristics of people charged with rape. Methods: All evaluations of people charged with rape and sent for evaluation at the largest assessment centre in Croatia during the period 2010-2018 were analysed (n = 56). Results: Alleged offences most often took place in a perpetrator or victim's home (71%), while the next most frequent location was the street (15%). Over 80% of alleged victims were known to the accused. Alcohol use and abuse were present in 73% of the accused, and 29% were drinking at the time of the alleged offence. Alcohol-related disorders were presented in 38% of the accused, while 38% had a personal history of drug use, and antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders were present in 48% and 29%, respectively. Psychotic disorders were rare (1.8%). Most of the accused were found to be criminally responsible; however, forensic psychiatric assessment procedures were inadequate when considering psychosexual assessments. Conclusions: Interventions based around public health and education should be considered in this field, and forensic psychiatric assessments should be prioritized for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Arbanas
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, 87137University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Nadica Buzina
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, 87137University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Croatia
- University Department of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, Croatia
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Crookes RL, Tramontano C, Brown SJ, Walker K, Wright H. Older Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Literature Review. SEXUAL ABUSE : A JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2022; 34:341-371. [PMID: 34176346 PMCID: PMC8905121 DOI: 10.1177/10790632211024244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The population of older individuals convicted of sexual offenses (OSOs) is rapidly increasing. However, we have little understanding of their characteristics (e.g., demographic, psychological, individual, offense, and risk) and needs. To identify any similarities or differences that are unique to older individuals convicted of sexual offending, it is important to compare such characteristics across the adult lifespan. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to specify and synthesize the current knowledge of characteristics across the adult lifespan of the population of individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Five databases were searched and 10,680 results were screened, resulting in 100 studies included in the final review. The findings were grouped into four emergent themes: age of onset and prevalence; offender and offense characteristics; age and the risk of reoffending; and treatment. Implications of the findings from this review are discussed in relation to future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah J. Brown
- University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Queensland, Australia
- University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Walker
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton, UK
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Goldblatt H, Band-Winterstein T, Lev S, Harel D. "Who Would Sexually Assault an 80-Year-Old Woman?": Barriers to Exploring and Exposing Sexual Assault Against Women in Late Life. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:2751-2775. [PMID: 32627631 DOI: 10.1177/0886260520934440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The phenomenon of Sexual Assault against Women in Late Life (SAWLL) has received increasing research attention in recent years. Yet, there is still only scant knowledge on it, compared with research on the sexual assault of younger women. Sexual assault is considered a sensitive topic, generally characterized by a conspiracy of silence. The aim of this article is to explore the barriers that hinder the identification and exposure of SAWLL, as reported by professionals. The research question was as follows: How do welfare and health care professionals present the motives and processes that obstruct exploring, exposing, and intervening in cases of SAWLL? A qualitative research design was used. Participants were 18 experienced welfare and health care professionals engaged in intervention with sexual assault in late life victims as well as offenders. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were later transcribed and thematically analyzed. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) Leading Negative Emotions, (b) Lack of Language, (c) Implications of Cumulative and Complex Trauma, and (d) Social Exclusion. Women and professionals alike undergo complementary processes involving silence and silencing. These processes construct a "wall" of barriers, requiring professionals' sensitivity and awareness to deconstruct these barriers. Professional intervention through open discourse with the abused women can break this conspiracy of silence. We recommend that training programs for professionals intervening in cases of elder abuse and neglect will be directed along two paths: The first path should focus on professionals' competence and skills, and the second path should address the women's specific needs. These programs will include a particular module that will specifically address SAWLL. This module should comprise knowledge on typical emotional reactions to SAWLL, the use of language in creating reality, cumulative and complex trauma, and the social construction of ageism and sexism, which lead to social exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sagit Lev
- Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Krienert JL, Walsh JA. The Sexual Victimization of the Elderly: An Empirical Analysis of Officially Reported Incidents, 2007-2016. VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS 2020; 35:443-466. [PMID: 32788332 DOI: 10.1891/vv-d-19-00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As "baby boomers" age through the lifecourse, elderly American's are projected to comprise more than 20% of the U.S. population by 2030 (Ortman, Velkoff, & Hogan, 2014). With a dramatic population increase anticipated, elder abuse and maltreatment has emerged as a focus of violence research. Elder sexual abuse is perhaps the least perceived, acknowledged, detected, and reported type of victimization (Roberto, Teaster, & Nikzad, 2007). The present work explores elder sexual abuse, drawing on 10 years (2007-2016) of officially reported incidents from National Incident Reporting System (NIBRS) data, to address several of the limitations identified by the National Research Council (2003) including: inconsistent definitions, unclear and inadequate measures, and a lack of population-based data. Results support significant differences in elder sexual abuse profiles across victim and perpetrator sex, age, race, relationship, residence, and offense type, highlighting the need to examine contextual differences in offenders, victims, and incident-based characteristics. Intervention, policy needs, and prevention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie L Krienert
- Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
| | - Jeffrey A Walsh
- Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
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Nobels A, Vandeviver C, Beaulieu M, Lemmens GM, Keygnaert I. Are older women forgotten in the fight against sexual violence? LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018. [PMID: 29525528 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Nobels
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Uro-Gynaecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Christophe Vandeviver
- Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie Beaulieu
- School of Social Work and Research on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Ines Keygnaert
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Uro-Gynaecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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