Dr. Cantor--
I'm a Licensed Psychologist
and Psychiatric Examiner for my state. My job is to evaluate
recidivistic sex offenders, usually before they are released from prison, and
to give the courts guidance as to whether the individual should be confined to
a psychiatric hospital upon release, or be involved with "Strict and Intensive
Supervision and Treatment (SIST)" in the community.
Lately, attorneys have
tried to put forth legal arguments involving individuals acting out sexually
against small children. They suggest that such was caused by the
individuals having “repressed homosexuality” issues, and as such they may not
be a threat to recidivate since they no longer “repress.”
Are you aware of any
scientific research to back this up, or to refute this claim? A case
of mine is in trial this week and next, and the Assistant Attorney General
handling this civil management the case is looking for some guidance. He
and I would appreciate any insight you could give in this matter.
P. E.
There is probably little I
can tell you that you are not likely to already know:
There is no evidence that
pedophilia can be caused by repressed homosexuality. Although I
occasionally encounter professionals who espouse that or similar concepts, the
idea has not received support from contemporary research.
The literature in risk
prediction has come a long way, with many sizeable studies conducted regarding
what variables best predict which sex offenders are the most likely to commit
new offenses after their re-integration into society. The two largest
meta-analyses of the variables that predict risk are by Karl Hanson in Canada (Hanson
& Bussière, 1998; Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2005). The best predictors
of recidivism are laboratory test results (i.e., phallometry or penile
plethysmography) that indicate pedophilia and symptoms of psychopathy or
Anti-Social Personality Disorder. The research literature does not include
repressed homosexuality as a significant predictor of recidivism. (Moreover,
there are experts who question whether “repressed homosexuality” exists as a
meaningful concept at all.)
The current generation of
instruments for risk prediction are empirically derived. The actuarial
instruments, such as the Static-99, SORAG, RRASOR, have become the standard,
and none contains any mention of repressed homosexuality or similar concept.
I must point out, of
course, that no one can make predictions with 100% accuracy and that there
necessarily remain variables still unknown to science. To the extent
that the idea has been put to any test, however, there is no significant
evidence to support the notion that repressed homosexuality (or its resolution)
can impact the probability of committing new sexual offenses against children.
Hanson, R. K., & Bussière, M. T. (1998). Predicting relapse: A
meta-analysis of sexual offender recidivism studies. Journal of
Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 348–362.
Hanson, R. K., & Morton-Bourgon, K. E. (2005). The characteristics
of persistent sexual offenders: A meta-analysis of recidivism studies. Journal
of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 1154–1163.
