Citation

Langevin R, Curnoe S. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2004; 48(5): 572-586.

Affiliation

University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Ontario M9B 6E3, Canada. rlangevin@sprint.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X03262518

PMID

15358932

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the use of pornographic materials by sex offenders during the commission of their crimes. A sample of 561 sex offenders was examined. There were 181 offenders against children, 144 offenders against adults, 223 incest offenders, 8 exhibitionists, and 5 miscellaneous cases. All but four cases were men. A total of 96 (17%) offenders had used pornography at the time of their offenses. More offenders against children than against adults used pornography in the offenses. Of the users, 55% showed pornographic materials to their victims and 36% took pictures, mostly of child victims. Nine cases were involved in the distribution of pornography. Results showed that pornography plays only a minor role in the commission of sexual offenses, however the current findings raise a major concern that pornography use in the commission of sexual crimes primarily involved child victims.

Language: en