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This list shows a selection of books and journal articles about the psychodynamics of sex offenders that are held by the NSPCC Library and Information Service (December 2005).
Theories of sexual offending.
Ward, Tony, Polaschek, Devon L. L. and Beech, Anthony R.
Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley, 2006
ISBN: 0470094818
Reviews and critiques theories about sexual offending, and considers the merits of each in terms of research and clinical practice. Emphasises the links between theory and practice, and discusses the clinical implications of the different theories and perspectives. Aimed at all professionals working with sexual offenders, including clinical and forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, probation officers and social workers.
Females who sexually offend against children: responses of the child protection and criminal justice systems
Bunting, Lisa
London: NSPCC, 2005
Summary of a review of what is known about female sex offending including offender and victim characteristics. The review examined policies for dealing with this issue within the child protection and criminal justice systems. The summary includes recommendations about the way in which policy and service provision should be developed. Available from NSPCC Publications
Predators, paedophiles, rapists and other sex offenders.
Salter, Anna C.
New York: Basic Books, 2004
ISBN: 0465071732
This book looks at how sex offenders think, what motivates them and how they deceive their victims. Aimed at the general public.
The mind of the paedophile: psychoanalytic perspectives.
Socarides, Charles W. and Loeb, Loretta R.
London: Karnac Books, 2004
ISBN: 1855759705
Aims to explore the internal world of the paedophile and explain the motivation and purpose for paedophilia and options for intervention. Includes chapters on the psychoanalytic classification of paedophilias, adolescent paedophilia, homosexual paedophilia and ritual paedophilia. Also considers the consequences of child sexual abuse.
Conversations with a pedophile: in the interest of our children.
Hammel-Zabin, Amy
Fort Lee, N. J.: Barricade Books, 2003
ISBN: 1569802475
Presents excerpts from letters written to the author by 'Alan', a convicted sex offender, and the personal perspective of the author, who was his therapist and was herself abused in childhood by her father and grandfather.
Sibling incest offenders as a subset of adolescent sexual offenders.
Rayment-McHugh, Sue and Nisbet, Ian
[Adelaide]: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003
Reports on a study which compared a sample of sibling incest offenders with other adolescent sexual offenders. Looks at offence dynamics, family background and psychological profile. Discusses the implications for professional systems responding to sibling sexual abuse.
Adult sex offenders
Erooga, Marcus
London: NSPCC, 2002
A review of the research and literature in respect to child sexual abuse offenders. Considers the characteristics of offenders, principles and methods of treatment, evaluation of effectiveness, and intervention strategies prior to treatment. **Online version only**
Violent children and adolescents: asking the question why.
Boswell, Gwyneth
London: Whurr Publishers, 2000
ISBN: 1861561253
Looks at children who kill and adolescent violence. Examines the antecedents of young male sex offenders, the link between childhood trauma and later violent offending, self-directed violence in adolescence, and violent adolescent female offenders.
Psychodynamic perspectives on abuse: the cost of fear.
McCluskey, Una and Hooper, Carol-Ann
London: Jessica Kingsley, 2000
ISBN: 1853026867
Takes a psychodynamic approach to the individual and interpersonal contexts of abuse; the social, cultural and political contexts of abuse; working with individuals in clinical settings; working with individuals and groups in organisational settings; and, social policy.
Betrayal of trust: sexual abuse by men who work with children - in their own words.
Colton, Matthew and Vanstone, Maurice
London: Free Association, 1996
ISBN: 1853433578
Accounts, largely in their own words, by men imprisoned for the sexual abuse of children in their trust. Considers their childhood, sexual development, education and employment careers, how they perpetrated their abuse, and their experience of prison-based treatment.
Women who sexually abuse children.
Freel, Mike
Norwich: Social Work Monographs, 1995
ISBN: 1857840348
Written in part completion of an MSc degree at the University of Hull.
Paedophiles and sexual offences against children.
Howitt, Dennis
Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley, 1995
ISBN: 0471955914
An investigation of people who sexually offend against children. Includes extensive interview material with offenders and discusses the role of fantasy, including pornography, in sexual offences against children. Includes coverage of grooming.
Child sexual abusers.
Waterhouse, Lorraine, Dobash, Russell P. and Carnie, James
Scottish Office: Social Work Services Group and Scottish Office: Central Research Unit
Edinburgh: Scottish Office: Central Research Unit, 1994
Research report examining the nature of child sexual abuse and child sexual abusers, the RAPID classification scheme for sexual abusers, and professional perspectives on working with child sexual abusers. (Research funded by the Social Work Services Group, Scottish Office).
Women sex offenders: [treatment and dynamics].
Mayer, Adele
Holmes Beach, Fla.: Learning Publications, 1992
ISBN: 1556910630
Women and men who sexually abuse children: a comparative analysis.
Allen, Craig M., Bear, Euan and Knopp, Fay Honey
Orwell, Vt.: Safer Society Press, 1991
What are the characteristics of female sex offenders?
Beckett, Richard
NOTA News 51, November 2005: 6-7
This article looks at the prevalence of female sexual abusing, the personality traits of female abusers, compares female with male abusers and recidivism.
Sexual offenders against children: the influence of personality and obsessionality on cognitive distortions.
Egan, Vincent, Kavanagh, Beth and Blair, Marie
Sexual Abuse 17(3), July 2005: 223-240
This article looks at the social functioning and psychopathology of sex offenders and questions whether generic nonclinical treatment of sex offenders is always appropriate.
An analysis of females convicted of sex crimes in the state of Florida.
Ferguson, Christopher J. and Meehan, D. Cricket
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 14(1),2005: 75-89
279 female sexual offenders convicted of a total of 940 separate criminal offences were examined using hierarchical cluster analysis. Results indicated that female sexual offenders tended to engage in behaviours that fell within three distinct patterns which differed according to perpetrator characteristics, victim age and use of force.
Comparing personality characteristics of juvenile sex offenders and non-sex offending delinquent peers: a preliminary investigation.
Freeman, Kurt A. and Dexter-Mazza, Elizabeth T.
Sexual Abuse 17(1), January 2005: 3-12
Reports on findings from research which used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - Adolescent Version (MMPI-A) to compare the psychopathology of juvenile offenders and juvenile sex offenders.
Biological fathers and stepfathers who molest their daughters: psychological, phallometric, and criminal features.
Greenberg, David M., Firestone, Philip, Nunes, Kevin L., Bradford, John M. and Curry, Susan
Sexual Abuse 17(1), January 2005: 39-46
A sample of men who had sexually abused their biological or their step/adopted daughters were examined on an array of information including offence characteristics, psychological and phallometric measures, and recidivism. Biological fathers were found to be significantly less sexually aroused by their children than were the stepfathers but on all other variables no significant differences were found.
Modus operandi of sexual offenders working or doing voluntary work with children and adolescents.
Leclerc, Benoit, Proulx, Jean and McKibben, Andre
Journal of Sexual Aggression 11(2), May 2005: 187-195
This article looks at how convicted sex offenders committed their offence from gaining the victim's trust to keeping the victim from telling anyone about the offence. The results showed that the way in which the offence was committed depended on their position of trust with the victim, revealing that mostly non-coercive methods were used to gain victim compliance.
Review, critique and synthesis of personality theory in motivation to sexually assault.
Chesire, J. D.
Aggression and Violent Behavior 9(6), Sept/Oct 2004: 633-644
Reviews two theories of personality in order to assist practitioners in understanding the dynamic relationship between personality and psychopathology among offenders. Applications for research and practice are considered, and implications for this line of research for risk assessment and sexual assault prevention are reviewed.
The characteristics of a geographical sample of convicted rapists: sexual victimisation and compliance in comparison to child molesters.
Craissati, Jackie and Beech, Anthony
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 19(4), April 2004: 371-388
Looks at the research evidence comparing rapists to child molesters and other types of offenders, in terms of family background and attachment style, adult characteristics, offense-related factors and management. Identifies that, despite high levels of reported childhood and adult difficulties, rapists were less likely to have been sexually abused as children as child molesters, and appeared to be more interested in romantic attachments.
An exploratory study of child molesters' relationship patterns using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme model.
Drapeau, Martin, De Roten, Yves and Korner, Annett C.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 19(2), February 2004: 264-275
Examines the relationship patterns of 20 child molesters' and a control group using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) method. Identifies the child molesters had significantly less wish to be controlled, hurt and not responsible than the control group, and reported more relationship episodes in which they felt respected, accepted, self-controlled and self-confident than the control group. Suggests these interactions could be indicators of the offenders' attempts to attribute blame to others and present themselves as victims, and that child sex offenders may have core issues involving autonomy and control.
Attachment styles and psychological profiles of child sexual offenders in Ireland.
Marsa, Fiona et al.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 19(2), February 2004: 228-251
Investigates the attachment behaviour of child sex offenders in Ireland, identifying that 93% of sex offenders surveyed has an insecure adult attachment style. Compared with a community control group, the child sex offenders surveyed reported significantly lower levels of maternal and paternal care, higher levels of maternal and paternal overprotection during childhood, significantly more emotional loneliness and a more external locus of control. In terms of anger management, the child sex offenders' profiles more closely approximated those of the nonviolent offenders and community controls surveyed than the profiles of the violent offenders studied.
Characteristics of youth who sexually offend.
Righthand, Sue and Welch, Carlann
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 13(3/4),2004: 15-32
This article describes the characteristics of young people who have committed sexual offences. It looks at types of offending behaviours, family environment, history of child abuse and mental health. It concludes by suggesting that these young offenders require individualised and developmentally appropriate interventions.
Offender and victim characteristics of registered female sexual offenders in Texas: a proposed typology of female sexual offenders.
Vandiver, Donna M. and Kercher, Glen
Sexual Abuse 16(2), April 2004: 121-137
Presents the findings of an examination of victim and offender characteristics of all registered adult female sexual offenders in Texas. The most common offences were indecency with a child - sexual contact, sexual assault on a child, and aggravated sexual assault on a child. Most offenders were white and ages ranged from 18-77. Results of hierarchical loglinear modelling yielded a complex relationship between offender and victim characteristics.
Juvenile sex offenders: toward the development of a typology.
Hunter, John A. et al
Sexual Abuse 15(1), 2003: 27-48
Contrasts adolescent males who sexually offended against pre-pubescent children, with those who target pubescent and pos- pubescentfemales.
An offender typology based upon psychoeducational needs: a collaborative climate for success.
Huser, Mindy Sloan, Manos, Mary Ann and Schaefer, Mary Ann
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Bulletin 18(3), 2002: 6-14
Findings of a U.S study aiming to develop and describe a classification model (the Offender Typology System) for matching appropriate psycho-educational interventions with specific groups of adolescent sexual offenders.
Deficits in emotional intelligence underlying adolescent sex offending.
Moriarty, Nicole et al
Journal of Adolescence 24(6), 2001: 743-751
Findings of a study which investigated whether a battery of tests designed to measure different levels of emotional intelligence could differentiate adolescent sex offenders from a non-offender control group.
Attachment styles and violence in child molesters.
Jamieson, Sheelagh and Marshall, W. L.
Journal of Sexual Aggression 5(2), 2000: 88-98
Results of a study which addressed the theory that sexual offenders lack the capacity to engage in or to maintain intimate relationships and that their attachment styles are insecure.
Female perpetrators of child sexual abuse: a review of the clinical and empirical literature.
Grayston, Alana D. and De Luca, Rayleen V.
Aggression and Violent Behavior 4(1), 1999: 93-106
Considers the subject under the following headings: prevalence of sexual abuse perpetrated by females, nature of the abuse, psychodynamics of the abusers, and implications for assessment and treatment.
An exploration of child sexual abusers' cognitive distortions with special reference to the role of anger.
Swaffer, Tracey et al
Journal of Sexual Aggression 4(1), 1999: 31-44
Using a semi-structured interview format, this study describes the cognitive distortions reported by child sexual abusers both pre- and post-intervention. The role of anger in sexual offences against children is also discussed.
Child molesters' implicit theories.
Ward, Tony and Keenan, Thomas
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 14(8), 1999: 821-838
Develops some of the most common implicit theories that describe the thinking of child molesters, and the implications of these theories for research and clinical practice.
Factors influencing sexual offenders' modus operandi: an examination of victim-offender relatedness and age.
Kaufman, Keith L. et al
Child Maltreatment 3(4), 1998: 349-361
Contrasts the sexually offending behaviours of adults to that of adolescents.
Towards a psychometric typology for assessing pre-treatment level of problems in child abusers.
Beech, Anthony
Journal of Sexual Aggression 3(2), 1997: 87-100
Cognitive and emotional components of generalized empathy deficits in child molesters.
Marshall, William L. and Maric, Alexandra
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 5(2), 1996: 101-110
Comparing female and male perpetrators' modus operandi: victims' reports of sexual abuse.
Kaufman, Keith L. et al
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 10(3), 1995: 322-333
Offenders: characteristics and treatment
Becker, Judith V.
Future of Children 4(2), 1994: 176-197
A discussion of research and theories about who commits child sexual abuse and how best to treat them.
The attitudes of incest offenders: sexual entitlement and acceptance of sex with children.
Hanson, R. Karl, Gizzarelli, Rocco and Scott, Heather
Criminal Justice and Behavior 21(2), 1994: 187-202
A comparison of the personality and background characteristics of adolescent sex offenders and other adolescent offenders.
Oliver, Lori L., Hall, Gordon C. Nagayama and Neuhaus, Steven M.
Criminal Justice and Behavior 20(4), 1993: 359-370
Characteristics of sexually repressed child molesters.
Simkins, Lawrence
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 8(1), 1993: 3-17
Investigation comparing sexually repressed and nonrepressed child abuse offenders on therapy progress and on a battery of personality and research instruments.
Characteristics of child molesters: implications for the fixated-regressed dichotomy.
Simon, Leonore M. J., Sales, Bruce and Kahn, Marvin
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 7(2), 1992: 211-225
These items do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSPCC. Anyone wishing to obtain any of the items on the list should contact their own public or academic library or bookshop. For information about publications produced by the NSPCC, please contact NSPCC Publications.
Although the websites listed here are checked regularly, the constantly changing nature of the internet means that some sites may alter after we have viewed them. The NSPCC is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, the content of these external websites. Please email library@nspcc.org.uk to report any broken links.
Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.