This dissertation attempts to find out what associations exist between dysfunctional parental relationships in the childhood of rapists and the rapists' violent acts. It also briefly examines the sociocultural effects which nurture such relationships. Rape, a crime very prevalent in our society today, is now perceived as an acute expression of men's contempt for and anger against women. The former interpretation of rape as primarily a sexually motivated crime is no longer popular. This dissertation attempts to trace the origin of the rapist's psyche from his dysfunctional parental relationships. Rare data on rapist's family relations from a recent FBI survey on 41 serial rapists provided the empirical base for this dissertation. In order to enlarge the sample size for this dissertation, relevant information was extracted from an additional 31 rapists' case histories through content analysis and added to the FBI study. These 31 case histories were drawn from three different sources. Information about the rapists' dominant parental figures and the rapists' positive and negative parental relationships were extracted and tabulated in three separate tables. Relevant information drawn from one additional source was also incorporated into the tables. These three tables were used to clarify the nature of the rapists' parental relationships. In addition, 18 case histories selected from the 31 case histories mentioned above were analyzed in order to show, in more detail, the nature of the rapist's negative parental relationship and its role in the creation of the rapist psyche. The combined result of the FBI study and the 31 case histories, the analysis of the 18 case histories, and information from other sources suggest a strong correlation between the rapists' negative parental relationships and their crime of rape. The data on the rapists were compared to survey responses by 41 imprisoned felons, not convicted of a sexual offense, and by 150 male university students. The comparison revealed important differences in the family relations of the rapists and the other two groups. Our society's self-abusive, aspiritual cultural tendency was briefly examined as the basic influential force in creating negative parental relationships.

Forcible rapes continue to occur at a rate of 1.3 per minute (National Victim Center, 1992). With an estimated 12.1 million women having been raped in our country (National Victim Center, 1992) and with most victims knowing the rapist, the importance of understanding the underlying dynamics leading to sexually aggressive behavior becomes imperative.The purpose of this study was to further delineate a possible contributory factor in the predisposition for rape. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between the perceived quality of father-child relationship and those underlying motivational and attitudinal factors associated with men who perpetrate sexual aggression towards women. A sample of 264 male college students were given a series of instruments examining underlying power motivations, sex-role stereotyping beliefs, attitudes of hostility toward women, relationship with father, relationship with mother, and sexually aggressive behavior. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between parent-child relationship and sexually aggressive attitudes and behavior.The results revealed that, consistent with previously reported literature, one measure of relationship with father was found to account for a significant amount of variance in hostility toward women. Relationship with father was not found to be significantly related to any of the remaining criterion measures. Relationship with mother was found to be significantly related to sex-role stereotyping. All criterion measures were significantly correlated with each other as were all the predictor measures.The results are discussed in relation to the hypotheses and previous research findings. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

La présence de distorsions cognitives chez les délinquants sexuels est considérée comme étant intimement liée à l’étiologie et au maintient des comportements sexuels déviants. Selon Ward et Keenan (1999), les distorsions cognitives émergent des théories implicites. Les théories implicites peuvent être définies comme étant un réseau de croyances interreliées que les délinquants ont à propos d’eux et du monde qui les entoure. Polaschek et Ward (2002) ainsi que Polaschek et Gannon (2004) ont postulé qu’il existe 5 théories implicites chez les violeurs : Les femmes sont des objets sexuels; L’excitation sexuelle de l’homme est incontrôlable; Le droit de faire ce que nous voulons; Le monde est dangereux; et Les femmes sont dangereuses. La présente recherche avait pour but d’examiner si les théories implicites chez les violeurs étaient pleinement représentées par les travaux de Polaschek et collègues. Les distorsions cognitives de 21 agresseurs sexuels de femmes adultes ont été analysées à partir de l’analyse de leurs discours. Les analyses indiquent que quatre des cinq théories implicites sont présentes dans notre échantillon. De plus, la théorie implicite Les femmes sont des objets sexuels serait mieux conceptualisée en tant que Les femmes sont des objets. Finalement, et en complément aux résultats des études de Polaschek, notre échantillon présente des cognitions qui normalisent la criminalité, la délinquance, la violence et la sexualité pour atteindre leurs buts; nous conduisant à la création d’une nouvelle théorie implicite : Normalisation du crime. Nos résultats indiquent qu’il y aurait peut-être d’autre / The presence of cognitive distortions among sex offenders are considered to be highly influential in the etiology and maintenance of deviant sexual behavior. According to Ward and Keenan (1999), cognitive distortions emerge from implicit theories. Implicit theories can be defined as a network of interrelated beliefs that sex offenders hold about them, the others and the world. Polaschek and Ward (2002) and Polaschek and Gannon (2004) postulates that there is five implicit theories amongst rapists: Women are Sexual objects; Male Sex Drive is Uncontrollable; Entitlement; Dangerous World; and Women are Dangerous. The current research examined whether the cognitive distortions of rapists are fully represent by the implicit theories proposed by Polaschek and colleagues. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 convicted rapists and their cognitive distortions were analyzed using the grounded theory method. Our analysis indicates the presence of four of the five Polaschek’s implicit theories among our sample. In addition, the implicit theory Women are Sex object would better be conceptualise as Women are Object. Finally, and in contrast to Polaschek’s research, our sample of rapists demonstrated cognitions that normalize the use of criminality, delinquency, violence and sexuality to achieve their goals. These findings lead us to the creation of a new implicit theory : Normalisation of Crime. Our findings indicate that there may be implicit theories among rapists that have not yet been fully explored.

Swedish national statistics suggest that the number of reported stranger rapes is steadily increasing. Stranger rape is one of the most difficult types of crime for the police to investigate because there is no natural tie between the victim and offender. As a result, there is a need for more knowledge about how crime scene features could be used to make inferences of likely offender characteristics that could help investigators narrow down the pool of suspects. The aim in Study I was to examine how offender behaviors interact with contextual features, victim behaviors, and the assault outcome. Results suggest that the stranger rapes could be distinguished by five different dynamic rape pattern themes, which mainly differed on two dimensions: level of violence to control the victim, and level of impulsivity/premeditation characterizing the rapes. The results also highlight the importance of including contextual features when studying offender behaviors. The aim in Study II was to examine how single-victim rapists and serial rapists can be differentiated by the actions at their first stranger rape. Results suggest that three behaviors in conjunction: kissed victim, controlled victim, and offender drank alcohol before the offense, could be used to predict whether the offender was a single-victim rapist or serial rapist with a classification accuracy of 80.4 %. The aim in Study III was to examine how stranger rapists could be differentiated from a normative sample on background characteristics, and if stranger rapists’ pre-assault and initial-attack behaviors could be used to predict likely offender characteristics. Results showed that the strongest predictions could be made for previous criminal convictions, offender age, and the distance traveled by the offender to offend. Overall, the present thesis has found some scientific support for the use of crime scene behaviors to make inferences of likely offender characteristics that could be useful for profiling purposes. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Submitted. Paper 3: Submitted.</p>

La présence de distorsions cognitives chez les délinquants sexuels est considérée comme étant intimement liée à l’étiologie et au maintient des comportements sexuels déviants. Selon Ward et Keenan (1999), les distorsions cognitives émergent des théories implicites. Les théories implicites peuvent être définies comme étant un réseau de croyances interreliées que les délinquants ont à propos d’eux et du monde qui les entoure. Polaschek et Ward (2002) ainsi que Polaschek et Gannon (2004) ont postulé qu’il existe 5 théories implicites chez les violeurs : Les femmes sont des objets sexuels; L’excitation sexuelle de l’homme est incontrôlable; Le droit de faire ce que nous voulons; Le monde est dangereux; et Les femmes sont dangereuses. La présente recherche avait pour but d’examiner si les théories implicites chez les violeurs étaient pleinement représentées par les travaux de Polaschek et collègues. Les distorsions cognitives de 21 agresseurs sexuels de femmes adultes ont été analysées à partir de l’analyse de leurs discours. Les analyses indiquent que quatre des cinq théories implicites sont présentes dans notre échantillon. De plus, la théorie implicite Les femmes sont des objets sexuels serait mieux conceptualisée en tant que Les femmes sont des objets. Finalement, et en complément aux résultats des études de Polaschek, notre échantillon présente des cognitions qui normalisent la criminalité, la délinquance, la violence et la sexualité pour atteindre leurs buts; nous conduisant à la création d’une nouvelle théorie implicite : Normalisation du crime. Nos résultats indiquent qu’il y aurait peut-être d’autre / The presence of cognitive distortions among sex offenders are considered to be highly influential in the etiology and maintenance of deviant sexual behavior. According to Ward and Keenan (1999), cognitive distortions emerge from implicit theories. Implicit theories can be defined as a network of interrelated beliefs that sex offenders hold about them, the others and the world. Polaschek and Ward (2002) and Polaschek and Gannon (2004) postulates that there is five implicit theories amongst rapists: Women are Sexual objects; Male Sex Drive is Uncontrollable; Entitlement; Dangerous World; and Women are Dangerous. The current research examined whether the cognitive distortions of rapists are fully represent by the implicit theories proposed by Polaschek and colleagues. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 convicted rapists and their cognitive distortions were analyzed using the grounded theory method. Our analysis indicates the presence of four of the five Polaschek’s implicit theories among our sample. In addition, the implicit theory Women are Sex object would better be conceptualise as Women are Object. Finally, and in contrast to Polaschek’s research, our sample of rapists demonstrated cognitions that normalize the use of criminality, delinquency, violence and sexuality to achieve their goals. These findings lead us to the creation of a new implicit theory : Normalisation of Crime. Our findings indicate that there may be implicit theories among rapists that have not yet been fully explored.

Les statistiques policières québécoises révèlent que près de la moitié des victimes d’agressions sexuelles sont âgées de moins de 18 ans et que près du tiers de celles-ci sont à l’âge de la puberté. Certains chercheurs estiment que les auteurs de ces infractions sont un groupe homogène d’agresseurs sexuels de mineurs, alors que d’autres différencient les agresseurs sexuels d’enfants de ceux d’adolescents. Considérant les variations physiques entre une personne prépubère, une personne en pleine puberté et une personne post-pubère, nous nous sommes intéressés à ce qui distingue les agresseurs sexuels d’adolescents (ASA), des agresseurs sexuels d’enfants (ASE) et des agresseurs sexuels de femmes adultes (ASF). Pour ce faire, à l’aide d’analyses bivariées (chi-deux), nous avons comparé un échantillon composé de 40 ASE (victimes âgées de 0 à 10 ans), 57 ASA (victimes âgées de 11 à 15 ans) et 156 ASF (victimes âgées de 16 ans et plus), totalisant 253 participants. Les analyses révèlent que ces trois types de délinquants sexuels se distinguent sur plusieurs plans notamment pour les psychopathologies (les troubles de la personnalité), les antécédents criminels, les fantaisies sexuelles, les caractéristiques des victimes (relation avec la victime) et le modus operandi (coercition, complicité, affect). Des relations linéaires en fonction de l’âge des victimes sont observées ainsi que des similarités entre les catégories. Donc, les résultats susmentionnés permettent de brosser des portraits différents selon le type de délinquants sexuels. / Quebec police statistics reveal that nearly half of the sexual abuse victims are below 18 years old, and a third of these are at puberty age. Researchers believe that the perpetrators of those infractions are one homogenous group of sexual offenders vs. minors, while other researchers differentiate sexual aggressors of children and teenagers. By taking into account the physical variation among prepubescent individuals, individuals within their puberty, and post-puberty individuals, this research observes what distinguishes adolescent sexual offenders (ASA), child sexual offenders (ASE), and sexual offenders toward adult women (ASF). Bivariate analysis (chi-square) were conducted to compare a sample of 253 participants which includes 40 ASE (victims aged between 0 to 10 years old), 57 ASA (victims aged betwwen 11 to 15 years old), and 156 ASF (victims of 16 years old and more). The results display differentiations among the three types of sexual offenders, especially for psychopathological disorders (personality disorders), criminal records, sexual fantasies, victimology (degree of intimacy), and the modus operandi (coercion, complicity, affect). This paper exhibits linear relations related to the victims’ age, along with similarities within the categories of sexual offenders. Thus, previously mentioned results recognize different categorizations of sexual offenders.

Thesis (Ph.D.(Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / House robbery and subsequent rape are under-researched crimes collectively and often treated differently in the field of social sciences. The relation between these two crimes needs to be addressed urgently. Therefore, this study aimed to explore motivational factors for committing house robbery and subsequent rape. This study adopted a qualitative research approach, guided by the Grounded Theory (GT), as a research design. The theoretical sampling was adopted for DCS clinical psychologists, social workers and incarcerated offenders in the Two (02) selected Correctional Centres in Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces of South Africa, all subjected to semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Moreover, the GT methods of data analysis, aided by the MAXQDA software were used, including open coding (Breaking of textual data into discrete parts), axial coding (Drawing of connections between codes), and selective coding (Selection of one central category that connects all the codes from the analysis and captures the essence of this study). The researcher generated codes from the verbatim expressions of the participants. The codes were categorised into open, axial and selective coding using the MAXQDA software. The codes in selective coding (Categories) were explained and supported by the reviewed literature studies on this subject. The findings of this study revealed that in most instances house robbery results in rape. The notable contributing factors to this phenomenon have been proven to be an opportunity, unstable family background, substance use, aggression, dominance, vulnerability and mob mentality. For the contribution to the body of knowledge; a conceptual model, consisting of Five (05) components, namely: 1) Socialisation, 2) Sexual violence curriculum, 3) Liquor regulations, 4) Ammunition registrations; and 5) Target hardening asformulated to effectively respond to the mentioned crimes. This study recommends that positive socialisation from an early age of male children is reported crucial for the development of pro-social factors; this can possibly curb these crimes. It is also forwarded that curriculum development should infuse sexual violence from basic-to-tertiary education. Equally, there is a dire need for the regulation of South African liquor available laws and policies with regard to the supply and sale of liquor as shared by most participants (Especially, the incarcerated v offenders) who positively highlighted alcohol intoxication during the commission of these crimes. Furthermore, registrations of ammunition and the creation of a database are highly sought, firearm accessibility should also be revisited to redress the past injustices as cited as one of the contributory factors to irregular availability of firearms and other related weapons. The opportunistic circumstances relating to the commission of these crimes should be relooked, by closely focusing on upgrading security measures for the community, Criminal Justice System (CJS), public and private Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), including technological advancement and improvements, as well as the induction of intelligence-led operations, and closer collaboration, interaction and information exchange, among others. / National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA).

Ce mémoire avait pour but de dresser un portrait clair et exhaustif des facteurs pré-crime recensés au sein d’un échantillon de 37 agresseurs sexuels de femmes. Cette démarche est intimement liée à l’étude des processus de passage à l’acte des agresseurs sexuels. Dans le cadre d’un programme de prévention de la récidive, les participants avaient à identifier divers événements de vie qui sont survenus au cours des deux années précédant le (ou les) délit(s) de référence et qui ont eu un fort impact émotionnel sur eux. Au total, 339 événements de vie ont été recensés. À chaque événement de vie correspond une chaîne comportementale, celle-ci étant composée de six volets : 1) les « situations spécifiques » constituant l’événement de vie; 2) les « cognitions » associées à cet événement de vie; 3) les « émotions » engendrées par ces cognitions; 4) les « fantaisies » déclenchées par ces émotions; 5) les « comportements » adoptés suite à ces fantaisies; et 6) les « conséquences » ayant résulté de ces comportements. Les données, initialement de nature qualitative, ont ensuite été opérationnalisées afin qu’elles puissent être analysées quantitativement. Nos résultats ont démontré que les conflits conjugaux et la consommation d’alcool et/ou de drogues représentaient les situations les plus fréquemment rapportées au cours de la phase pré-crime. Les cognitions les plus souvent recensées suite à l’événement de vie initial étaient le pessimisme et l’adoption d’une position de victime. L’hostilité, la dépression et l’anxiété constituaient les émotions les plus fréquemment engendrées par le volet cognitif. Les fantaisies les plus souvent déclenchées par le volet émotionnel étaient l’agression sexuelle et la violence physique (non sexuelle). La consommation d’alcool et/ou de drogues et le fait de ne pas exprimer ses émotions, son point de vue ou ses besoins représentaient les comportements les plus fréquemment adoptés suite aux fantaisies. Enfin, les conséquences les plus souvent recensées étaient l’accumulation de cognitions et/ou d’émotions négatives et la présence de fantaisies sexuelles déviantes. / The main objective of this master’s thesis was to provide a clear and exhaustive overview of pre-crime factors identified in a sample of 37 convicted rapists. This approach is closely related to the study of pathways to sexual offending. While undergoing a relapse prevention program, the participants had to identify several emotionally significant life events having occurred within a 2-year period preceding the sexual crime(s) for which they have been convicted. A total of 339 life events were collected. For each life event, there is a 6-step behavioral chain: 1) "specific situations" constituting the life event; 2) "cognitions" associated with these specific situations; 3) "emotional states" initiated by these cognitions; 4) "fantasies" triggered by these emotional states; 5) "behaviors" adopted in response to these fantasies and; 6) "consequences" resulting from these behaviors. Qualitative accounts of the behavioural chains were then quantitatively codified so they can be easily analyzed. Our results showed that specific conflicts with the partner and alcohol and/or drug use were the most frequently reported emotionally significant life events having occurred in the pre-crime phase. The most commonly described cognitions associated with the specific life event situations were pessimism and feeling sorry for oneself (self-pity). Hostility, depression and anxiety were the main feelings characterizing the emotional states initiated by the cognitive processes. Sexual aggression and nonsexual violence were the most prevalent fantasies triggered by the emotional states. Alcohol and/or drug use and not expressing one’s emotions, point of view or needs were the most frequently reported behaviors in response to the fantasies. Finally, the main consequences resulting from one’s behaviors were the accumulation of negative cognitions and/or emotions and the presence of deviant sexual fantasies.

High risk offenders are a complex and heterogeneous group of offenders about whom researchers, clinicians, and society still know relatively little. In response to the paucity of information that is specifically applicable to high risk offenders, the present study examined RCMP Integrated Sexual Predator Intelligence Network (ISPIN) data to investigate the relationship between sexual paraphilias, sexual fantasy, and psychopathy among 139 of the highest risk sexual offenders in British Columbia. The sample included 41 child molesters, 42 rapists, 18 rapist/molesters, 30 mixed offenders, and 6 “other” sexual offenders. The majority of offenders in this sample were diagnosed with one primary paraphilia (67%). Data analysis revealed significant differences between offender types for criminal history variables including past sexual and nonsexual convictions, number of victims, and age of offending onset. For example, offenders who victimized children (i.e., exclusive child molesters & rapist/molesters) had a greater number of past sexual convictions than did offenders who victimized adults exclusively. Further, there were significant differences between offender types for paraphilia diagnoses, sexual fantasy themes, and levels of psychopathy. For example, exclusive child molesters were significantly more likely to receive a paraphilia diagnosis, were more likely to report having sexual fantasies, and had lower Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) scores than other offender types. Results from the current study will serve to facilitate a more refined and informed understanding of sexual offending behaviour, with important implications for future research, assessment, and treatment issues, as well as law enforcement practices when working with high risk sexual offenders.

High risk offenders are a complex and heterogeneous group of offenders about whom researchers, clinicians, and society still know relatively little. In response to the paucity of information that is specifically applicable to high risk offenders, the present study examined RCMP Integrated Sexual Predator Intelligence Network (ISPIN) data to investigate the relationship between sexual paraphilias, sexual fantasy, and psychopathy among 139 of the highest risk sexual offenders in British Columbia. The sample included 41 child molesters, 42 rapists, 18 rapist/molesters, 30 mixed offenders, and 6 “other” sexual offenders. The majority of offenders in this sample were diagnosed with one primary paraphilia (67%). Data analysis revealed significant differences between offender types for criminal history variables including past sexual and nonsexual convictions, number of victims, and age of offending onset. For example, offenders who victimized children (i.e., exclusive child molesters & rapist/molesters) had a greater number of past sexual convictions than did offenders who victimized adults exclusively. Further, there were significant differences between offender types for paraphilia diagnoses, sexual fantasy themes, and levels of psychopathy. For example, exclusive child molesters were significantly more likely to receive a paraphilia diagnosis, were more likely to report having sexual fantasies, and had lower Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) scores than other offender types. Results from the current study will serve to facilitate a more refined and informed understanding of sexual offending behaviour, with important implications for future research, assessment, and treatment issues, as well as law enforcement practices when working with high risk sexual offenders.