Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Psychiatry and Sexual Medicine pp 373–391Cite as

Sexual Violence: How to Deal with It in Psychiatry

  • 566 Accesses

Abstract

Sexual violence is a devastating but yet frequent concern for men, women, and children all over the world. Since most offenses are never reported to the police, the actual numbers of sexual offenses against children and adults can only be estimated. Therefore, it is not only necessary to help victims of sexual violence but also focus on prevention of sexual violence by treating offenders and those at risk to offend. Concerning the prevalence of sexual violence and its impact on victims, it would be negligent of society and the medical community to not try reaching potential/unconvicted perpetrators. The following chapter offers guidance for practitioners who want to have a more in-depth knowledge about the backgrounds of sexual violence and possibilities to work with potential or factual perpetrators. We illustrate the range of different motivations and clinical characteristics with case reports.

Keywords

  • Sexual violence
  • Sexual offending
  • Sexual offenders
  • Sexual offender treatment
  • Psychotherapy

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-52298-8_25
  • Chapter length: 19 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-030-52298-8
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 25.1
Fig. 25.2
Fig. 25.3

References

  1. Campbell R, Dworkin E, Cabral G. An ecological model of the impact of sexual assault on Women’s mental health. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2009;10:225–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Najdowski CJ, Ullman SE. Prospective effects of sexual victimization on PTSD and problem drinking. Addict Behav. 2009;34:965–8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Staples JM, Eakins D, Neilson EC, et al. Sexual assault disclosure and sexual functioning: the role of trauma symptomatology. J Sex Med. 2016;13:1562–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Chivers-Wilson KA. Sexual assault and posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the biological, psychological and sociological factors and treatments. Mcgill J Med. 2006;9:111–8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Krug EG, Dahlberg LL, Mercy JA, et al. World report on violence and health, vol. 360. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002. p. 1083.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Abrahams N, Devries K, Watts C, et al. Worldwide prevalence of non-partner sexual violence: a systematic review. Lancet. 2014;383:1648–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Barth J, Bermetz L, Heim E, et al. The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Public Health. 2013;58:469–83.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Krahé B, Berger A, Vanwesenbeeck I, et al. Prevalence and correlates of young people’s sexual aggression perpetration and victimisation in 10 European countries: a multi-level analysis. Cult Health Sex. 2015;17:682–99.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Allroggen M, Rassenhofer M, Witt A, et al. Prävalenz sexueller Gewalt. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113:107–13.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Eher R, Rettenberger M, Schilling F. Psychiatrische Diagnosen von Sexualstraftätern. Zeitschrift für Sex. 2010;23:23–35.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Harsch S, Bergk JE, Steinert T, et al. Prevalence of mental disorders among sexual offenders in forensic psychiatry and prison. Int J Law Psychiatry. 2006;29:443–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Leue A, Borchard B, Hoyer J. Mental disorders in a forensic sample of sexual offenders. Eur Psychiatry. 2004;19:123–30.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sharma N, Prakash O, Sengar KS, et al. A study of mental health problems in criminals in terms of depression, anxiety and stress. Glob J Hum Soc Sci Res. 2015;15:17–22.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chang Z, Lichtenstein P, Larsson H, et al. Substance use disorders, psychiatric disorders, and mortality after release from prison: a nationwide longitudinal cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry. 2015;2:422–30.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Whitfield CL, Anda RF, Dube SR, et al. Violent childhood experiences and the risk of intimate partner violence in adults: assessment in a large health maintenance organization. J Interpers Violence. 2003;18:166–85.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Acierno R, Resnick H, Kilpatrick DG, et al. Risk factors for rape, physical assault, and posttraumatic stress disorder in women: examination of differential multivariate relationships. J Anxiety Disord. 1999;13:541–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Leach C, Stewart A, Smallbone S. Testing the sexually abused-sexual abuser hypothesis: a prospective longitudinal birth cohort study. Child Abuse Negl. 2016;51:144–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hoyer J. Sexuelle Funktionsstörungen und ambulante Psychotherapie. Psychotherapeut. 2013;58:371–8.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Basile KC, Chen J, Black MC, et al. Prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence victimization among U.S. adults, 2001–2003. Violence Vict. 2007;22:437–48.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Breiding MJ. Prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization—national intimate partner and sexual violence survey, United States, 2011. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2014;63:1–18.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Krahé B, Tomaszewska P, Kuyper L, et al. Prevalence of sexual aggression among young people in Europe: a review of the evidence from 27 EU countries. Aggress Violent Behav. 2014;19:545–58.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hellmann D. Repräsentativbefragung zu Viktimisierungserfahrungen in Deutschland. Hannover: Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gerwinn H, Weiß S, Tenbergen G, et al. Clinical characteristics associated with paedophilia and child sex offending—differentiating sexual preference from offence status. Eur Psychiatry. 2018;51:74–85.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Kärgel C, Massau C, Weiß S, et al. Diminished functional connectivity on the road to child sexual abuse in pedophilia. J Sex Med. 2015;12:783–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kärgel C, Massau C, Weiß S, et al. Evidence for superior neurobiological and behavioral inhibitory control abilities in non-offending as compared to offending pedophiles. Hum Brain Mapp. 2017;38:1092–104.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ward T. Good lives and the rehabilitation of offenders: promises and problems. Aggress Violent Behav. 2002;7:513–28.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Mann RE, Hollin CR. Sexual offenders’ explanations for their offending. J Sex Aggress. 2007;13:3–9.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Endrass J, Rossegger A, Urbaniok F, et al. Interventionen bei Gewalt- und Sexualstraftätern—risk-management, Methoden und Konzepte der forensischen Therapie, vol. 1. Berlin: MWV Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mann RE, Hanson RK, Thornton D. Assessing risk for sexual recidivism: some proposals on the nature of psychologically meaningful risk factors. Sex Abus. 2010;22:191–217.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Långström N, Sjöstedt G, Grann M. Psychiatric disorders and recidivism in sexual offenders. Sex Abuse A J Res Treat. 2004;16:139–50.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Kafka MP, Hennen J. Hypersexual desire in males: are males with paraphilias different from males with paraphilia-related disorders? Sex Abus. 2003;15:307–21.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Marshall LE, Marshall WL, Moulden HM, et al. The prevalence of sexual addiction in incarcerated sexual offenders and matched community nonoffenders. Sex Addict Compulsivity. 2008;15:271–83.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Knight R, Thornton D. Evaluating and improving risk assessment schemes for sexual recidivism: a long-term follow-up of convicted sexual offenders. National Institute of Justice; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hanson RK, Gordon A, Harris AJR, et al. First report of the collaborative outcome data project on the effectiveness of psychological treatment for sex offenders. Sex Abuse A J Res Treat. 2002;14:169–94.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Abel GG, Becker JV, Cunningham-Rathner J. Complications, consent, and cognitions in sex between children and adults. Int J Law Psychiatry. 1984;7:89–103.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Hanson RK, Gizzarelli R, Scott H. The attitudes of incest offenders: sexual entitlement and acceptance of sex with children. Crim Justice Behav. 1994;21:187–202.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Mann R, Webster S, Wakeling H, et al. The measurement and influence of child sexual abuse supportive beliefs. Psychol Crime Law. 2007;13:443–58.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Wakeling H, Beech AR, Freemantle N. Investigating treatment change and its relationship to recidivism in a sample of 3773 sex offenders in the UK. Psychol Crime Law. 2013;19:233–52.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Maruna S, Mann RE. A fundamental attribution error? Rethinking cognitive distortions. Leg Criminol Psychol. 2006;11:155–77.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Gallagher CA, Wilson DB, Hirschfield PJ, et al. A quantitative review of the effects of sex offender treatment on sexual reoffending. Correct Manag Q. 1999;3:19–29.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Blasko BL. Overview of sexual offender typologies, recidivism, and treatment. In: Jeglic E, Calkins C, editors. Sexual violence. Evidence based policy and prevention. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2016. p. 11–29.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Bonta J, Andrews DA. Risk-need-responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation. 2007;6:1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Gibbels C, Kneer J, Hartmann U, et al. State of the art treatment options for actual and potential sexual offenders and new prevention strategies. J Psychiatr Pract. 2019;25:242–57.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. van Horn J, Eisenberg M, McNaughton Nicholls CC, et al. Stop it now! A pilot study into the limits and benefits of a free helpline preventing child sexual abuse. J Child Sex Abus. 2015;24:853–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Andrews DA, Bonta J, Wormith JS. The risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model: does adding the good lives model contribute to effective crime prevention? Crim Justice Behav. 2011;38:735–55.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Olver ME, Wong SCP. Treatment programs for high risk sexual offenders: program and offender characteristics, attrition, treatment change and recidivism. Aggress Violent Behav. 2013;18:579–91.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Beggs SM, Grace RC. Treatment gain for sexual offenders against children predicts reduced recidivism: a comparative validity study. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79:182–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Olver ME, Wong SCP, Nicholaichuk T, et al. The validity and reliability of the violence risk scale-sexual offender version: assessing sex offender risk and evaluating therapeutic change. Psychol Assess. 2007;19:318–29.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Mancini C. Sex offender treatment: two promising approaches. Soc Crimonol. 2013;1:1.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Lösel F, Schmucker M. The effectiveness of treatment for sexual offenders: a comprehensive meta-analysis. J Exp Criminol. 2005;1:117–46.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Hanson RK, Bourgon G, Helmus L, et al. The principles of effective correctional treatment also apply to sexual offenders: a meta-analysis. Crim Justice Behav. 2009;36:865–91.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Schmucker M, Lösel F. Does sexual offender treatment work? A systematic review of outcome evaluations. Psicothema. 2008;20:10–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Marques JK, Wiederanders M, Day DM, et al. Effects of a relapse prevention program on sexual recidivism: final results from California’s Sex Offender Treatment and Evaluation Project (SOTEP). Sex Abuse J Res Treat. 2005;17:79–107.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Harkins L, Flak VE, Beech AR, et al. Evaluation of a community-based sex offender treatment program using a good lives model approach. Sex Abuse A J Res Treat. 2012;24:519–43.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Endrass J, Rossegger A, Urbaniok F, et al., editors. Wirksamkeit von Behandlungsprogrammen. Berlin: Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Thibaut F, De La Barra F, Gordon H, et al. The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for the biological treatment of paraphilias. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2010;11:604–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Thibaut F, Bradford JMW, Briken P, et al. The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders with paraphilic disorders. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2016;17:2–38.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Fazel S, Zetterqvist J, Larsson H, et al. Antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, and risk of violent crime. Lancet. 2014;384:1206–14.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany

    Charlotte Gibbels, Jonas Kneer & Tillmann H. C. Krüger

  2. Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany

    Charlotte Gibbels, Jonas Kneer & Tillmann H. C. Krüger

  3. Suny Oswego, New York, NY, USA

    Gilian Tenbergen

Authors
  1. Charlotte Gibbels
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jonas Kneer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gilian Tenbergen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tillmann H. C. Krüger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charlotte Gibbels .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland

    MD Michal Lew-Starowicz

  2. Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Sexological Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Prof. Dr. Annamaria Giraldi

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Section of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Prof. Dr. Tillmann H. C. Krüger

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Gibbels, C., Kneer, J., Tenbergen, G., Krüger, T.H.C. (2021). Sexual Violence: How to Deal with It in Psychiatry. In: Lew-Starowicz, M., Giraldi, A., Krüger, T. (eds) Psychiatry and Sexual Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52298-8_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52298-8_25

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-52297-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-52298-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)