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Major Mental Illness in Those Who Sexually Abuse

  • Sexual Disorders (LE Marshall and WL Marshall, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

There is evidence showing an increasing prevalence of mental illness in those in conflict with the law. However, there are many factors affecting the detection, treatment, and management of criminals who are mentally ill.

Recent Findings

Sex offenders with major mental illness present many challenges to those providing treatment and management services. For example, it is important to consider whether sexually offensive behavior is the cause of criminal behavior or whether it is reflective of an antisocial orientation. Recent evidence suggests it may help better understand and inform risk assessment and management.

Summary

This paper will review the literature on mental illness among sexual offenders, present a typology to aid in the assessment, treatment, and management of sexual offender with mental illness, and highlight important considerations when providing treatment to sexual offenders with mental illness.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, 100 West 5th St., Hamilton, ON, L8N3K7, Canada

    Heather M. Moulden

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Heather M. Moulden

  3. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishine, ON, Canada

    Liam E. Marshall

  4. Rockwood Psychotherapy and Consulting, Midland, ON, Canada

    Liam E. Marshall

Authors
  1. Heather M. Moulden
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  2. Liam E. Marshall
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather M. Moulden.

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Conflict of Interest

Heather M. Moulden declares no potential conflicts of interest. Liam E. Marshall is a section editor for Current Psychiatry Reports.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sexual Disorders

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Moulden, H.M., Marshall, L.E. Major Mental Illness in Those Who Sexually Abuse. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 105 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0863-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0863-x

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