Sadism and Violent Reoffending in Sexual Offenders

Abstract

A diagnosis of sadism in sexual offenders is commonly regarded as indicative of high risk for violent reoffending. The purpose of the current two studies was to evaluate whether sadism is indeed associated with higher rates of violent (including sexual) reoffending. In Study 1 (meta-analysis), the rate of violent and sexual recidivism was assessed across seven samples of male sex offenders (total N = 2,169) as a function of diagnoses of sexual sadism. In Study 2 (N = 768) the outcome (violent recidivism yes/no) was regressed on sadism, along with behavioral indicators of sexually sadistic offending, and scores from violence risk assessment instruments. In Study 1 (meta-analysis), the overall risk of sadists compared with nonsadists with respect to violent (including sexual contact) reoffending was slightly elevated (by a factor of 1.18), yet not significantly increased. Similarly, the risk of sexual reoffending among sadists was slightly, but not significantly, higher than among nonsadists (factor 1.38). According to Study 2, only a measure of sadistic behavior, not the clinical diagnosis, was associated with violent reoffending. This association, however, was not present once age and customary risk assessment instruments for violence risk were included in the regression. A clinical diagnosis of sexual sadism and behavioral measures of sadism are related to the risk of violent reoffending in sexual offenders. These associations, however, are weak and do not hold once variables relevant for the prediction of violence are controlled for. At the individual level, the risk for future violence in sadists can therefore be adequately described by customary risk assessment instruments.

Sexual Sadism Among Sex Offenders in Switzerland

“…However, with the exception of cruelty and torture, the remaining features are common of all rapes, making it difficult to distinguish sexual sadists from other sex offenders (Frances & Wollert, 2012; Marshall & Yates, 2004). Fourth, the diagnosis requires the offender to be sexually aroused by sadistic fantasies or victims’ responses, and because offenders tend to be reluctant in admitting their sadistic fantasies, the diagnostician often has to infer a sexual desire from the individual’s behavior (Eher et al, 2016; Marshall & Kennedy, 2003; Marshall & Yates, 2004; Richards & Jackson, 2011). Finally, because the criteria for sexual sadism differ between diagnostic manuals, it is difficult to compare results from various studies (Marshall & Yates, 2004).…”

“…In addition, the ability of an assessment tool to estimate the probability of recidivism in crime is important for the criminal justice system. It is commonly assumed that sexual sadists are more dangerous and, thus, have a higher risk to reoffend than nonsadistic sex offenders (Eher et al, 2016; Fedora et al, 1992; Fedoroff, 2008; Marshall & Yates, 2004; Richards & Jackson, 2011). However, at present, results concerning the association between sexual sadism and recidivism are inconclusive.…”

“…The clinical diagnosis of sexual sadism has been criticized for lacking validity and reliability (Eher et al, 2016; Kingston, Seto, Firestone, & Bradford, 2010; Marshall & Hucker, 2006; Marshall, Kennedy, & Yates, 2002; Mokros, Schilling, Weiss, Nitschke, & Eher, 2014; Nitschke, Mokros, Osterheider, & Marshall, 2013; Richards & Jackson, 2011). For this reason, researchers have begun developing psychometric assessment instruments for sexual sadism composed of behavioral indicators that can be rated based on crime-scene information (e.g., Nitschke, Osterheider, & Mokros, 2009).…”

Altruistic (costly) punishment as motivation for vindictive rape

“…The SeSaS, for example, contains items that primarily describe offence behaviours (Mokros et al, 2012(Mokros et al, , 2014. Consequently, an individual who degrades, humiliates, and physically harms a woman in a sexualized context is likely to be considered sadistic, regardless of how the individual explained his behaviour (Eher et al, 2016).…”

The Predictive Properties of Psychiatric Diagnoses, Dynamic Risk and Dynamic Risk Change Assessed by the VRS-SO in Forensically Admitted and Released Sexual Offenders

“…In Austria and Germany, being psychiatrically detained requires the offender to be diagnosed with a "severe mental disorder" independent from his or her criminal responsibility (7). Most critically, the disorder must be associated with risk of future reoffending when psychiatric placement is questioned (8,9).…”