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A Biopsychosocial Approach to Idiopathic Versus Acquired Paedophilia: What Do We Know and How Do We Proceed Legally and Ethically?

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Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Law, Neuroscience, and Human Behavior ((PASTLNHB))

Abstract

Idiopathic and acquired paedophilia are two different disorders with different aetiology, neural basis, modus operandi, and possible treatments. In this chapter, these differences will be summarized and the legal implications for punishment will be discussed for both forms of paedophilia. We conclude that, based on our current scientific knowledge regarding both disorders, retributive punishments are unlikely to “solve the problem” related to future paedophiliac behaviour. Instead, alternative strategies may be needed to hinder future offending by individuals with both idiopathic and acquired paedophilia. If an alternative non-retributive route is considered, it is imperative that, in addition to any applicable non-retributive legal sanctions and/or rehabilitative trajectories, restorative justice practices and psychological counselling are immediately made available to victims and their loved ones.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Cristina Scarpazza

  2. School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA

    Colleen M. Berryessa

  3. Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Farah Focquaert

Authors
  1. Cristina Scarpazza
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  2. Colleen M. Berryessa
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  3. Farah Focquaert
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Correspondence to Cristina Scarpazza .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Criminal Law, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Sjors Ligthart

  2. Criminal Law, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Dave van Toor

  3. Criminal Law, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Tijs Kooijmans

  4. Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Thomas Douglas

  5. Forensic Psychiatry, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Gerben Meynen

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Scarpazza, C., Berryessa, C.M., Focquaert, F. (2021). A Biopsychosocial Approach to Idiopathic Versus Acquired Paedophilia: What Do We Know and How Do We Proceed Legally and Ethically?. In: Ligthart, S., van Toor, D., Kooijmans, T., Douglas, T., Meynen, G. (eds) Neurolaw. Palgrave Studies in Law, Neuroscience, and Human Behavior. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69277-3_7

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