Pathological Internet Communities: A New Direction for Sexual Deviance Research in a Post Modern Era

A case of severe anal injury in an adolescent male due to bestial sexual experimentation

“…Along that same line, virtual communities exist on the internet that provide support and information to self-styled ''zoophiles" as well as numerous other practitioners of unconventional or criminal sexual behavior. 7 It is conceivable that a child could happen onto one of these sights while searching for some type of innocent animal related information, and receive detailed tutelage on bestial behavior as well as justifications for the practice. Potential psychological implications for a child proven to have initiated this type of activity are apparent, and referral to a child psychologist or psychiatrist is mandatory.…”

Screwing the Pooch: Legitimizing Accounts in a Zoophilia On-line Community

“…In effect, the ability to interact in relative anonymity with likeminded others allows fellow deviants to become ''cyber colleagues'' and has helped facilitate the emergence of on-line subcultures (Adler andAdler 2006, 2008;Holt 2007;Jenkins 2001;Quayle and Taylor 2002). Internet communities have emerged as particularly important sanctuaries for those who participate in extreme sexual deviance, like zoophilia, that ''are so objectively deviant from the standpoint of the numbers involved in them that the likelihood of a subculture developing in physical space is nearly nil'' (Jenkins and Thomas 2004:5, see also Durkin et al 2006;Jenkins 2001). Because extreme forms of deviance are generally performed in seclusion, participants often lack the support and kinship of a traditionally defined subculture (Durkin et al 2006); they tend to become increasingly withdrawn and enter into a ''self-imposed segregation'' (Tierney 2008:340).…”

“…Internet communities have emerged as particularly important sanctuaries for those who participate in extreme sexual deviance, like zoophilia, that ''are so objectively deviant from the standpoint of the numbers involved in them that the likelihood of a subculture developing in physical space is nearly nil'' (Jenkins and Thomas 2004:5, see also Durkin et al 2006;Jenkins 2001). Because extreme forms of deviance are generally performed in seclusion, participants often lack the support and kinship of a traditionally defined subculture (Durkin et al 2006); they tend to become increasingly withdrawn and enter into a ''self-imposed segregation'' (Tierney 2008:340). The resulting sense of social exclusion prompts many to seek validation in cyberspace from sympathetic colleagues capable of providing much needed support, reassurance, and guidance (Adler andAdler 2006, 2008;Durkin 2004;Durkin et al 2006).…”

“…Because extreme forms of deviance are generally performed in seclusion, participants often lack the support and kinship of a traditionally defined subculture (Durkin et al 2006); they tend to become increasingly withdrawn and enter into a ''self-imposed segregation'' (Tierney 2008:340). The resulting sense of social exclusion prompts many to seek validation in cyberspace from sympathetic colleagues capable of providing much needed support, reassurance, and guidance (Adler andAdler 2006, 2008;Durkin 2004;Durkin et al 2006). 1 For these individuals, on-line communities may indeed have a therapeutic effect.…”

Social Control in a Sexually Deviant Cybercommunity: A Cappers' Code of Conduct

“…As noted by Durkin (2009:672), ''research is sorely needed to examine the relationship between on-line deviance and 'real life' deviance'' by attending to central sociological concepts, theories, and methods (see also Durkin et al 2006). One such central concept is social control (Gibbs 1989).…”