Chemical Castration as an Evolving Concept: Is It a Possible Solution for Sexual Offences?

Çöpür, Mazlum; Çöpür, Sidar

doi:10.1080/14789949.2020.1849359

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 90 publications

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“…These side-effects, alongside the lack of randomized controlled trials of anti-androgen use for reducing PSA among those who have committed sexual crimes, lead to an ethical dilemma (Çöpür & Çöpür, 2021 ; Harrison & Rainey, 2009 ; Ly et al, 2020 ; Turner et al, 2019 ), especially in secure forensic contexts wherein some service users need to demonstrate a reduction in risk to become eligible for parole. Without a full understanding of the effects and experiences of receiving anti-androgens for the purpose of reducing PSA, there is a risk of treatment becoming a coercive practice that people with convictions feel obliged to engage with to demonstrate some engagement with available treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“One a Day Keeps the Prison Away”: Understanding the Experiences of Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offences Receiving Anti-Androgens for the Treatment of Problematic Sexual Arousal

Lievesley,

Swaby,

Winder

et al. 2024

Arch Sex Behav

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Problematic sexual arousal (PSA) is an umbrella term to describe a range of clinical presentations related to excessive sexual thinking (e.g., sexual preoccupation) and sexual behavior (e.g., hypersexuality). Although such concepts are known to affect sexual recidivism among individuals convicted of sexual offences, PSA is not routinely or directly targeted in offending behavior programs in England and Wales. However, in recent years, there have been moves to incorporate pharmacological interventions for addressing this among people with sexual offence histories. Although some work to understand the experiences of those taking SSRI medication for this purpose has emerged, little is known about the experiences of service users taking anti-androgen medication. In this study, we interviewed all individuals in prison taking anti-androgens for the treatment of problematic sexual arousal following convictions for sexual offences in England at the time of data collection (N = 10). Using a phenomenologically oriented thematic analysis, we established themes pertaining to “Differing needs: Motivations for treatment,” “Medication as a risk management strategy,” and how the medication helped the men in their pursuit of “Discovering a ‘new me’.” This work contributes important knowledge to inform the development of ethical and effective prescribing of anti-androgen medication with this population and offer recommendations for both future research and the development of clinical practice.

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