Theoretical Approaches for Sexual Offenders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

The primary theoretical contribution for sex offenders with intellectual disability (ID) has been the Counterfeit Deviance (CD) hypothesis, which suggests that men with ID may commit inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) because of a poor appreciation of appropriate behaviour, poor sexual knowledge, and inadequate understanding of moral conventions. The evidence supporting the hypothesis has been reviewed and the CD hypothesis revised. The revision takes into account the fact that sex offenders with ID tend to have better sexual knowledge. Even though sex offenders may have better appreciation of sexual and societal factors, their understanding is still poor. If they have better access to prosocial influences (through the Good Lives Model) and a realistic concept of the way in which society views ISB then this explains (1) the way in which ISB is committed and (2) certain unusual research findings, and (3) provides a sound theoretical basis for treatment.

Risk Factors for Sexual Offenses Committed by Men With or Without a Low IQ: An Exploratory Study

“…Although most victims of child sexual abuse will not sexually offend and most people who sexually offend were not sexually abused, there is a significant link between childhood sexual molestation and subsequent sexual abuse ( 21 ). Whereas rates of childhood sexual abuse are also elevated among MIQSO ( 20 ), it remains to be seen if these results apply to the forensic population.…”

“…Possible etiological and contextual factors associated with this type of offense are complex and intricate. On one hand, some of these risk factors appear to be similar to those associated with mainstream sexual offending, i.e., related with delinquency in general [e.g., criminal history, antisocial behaviors, lack of empathy, behavioral impulsivity; see ( 19 , 20 ), for reviews]. One the other hand, additional (or different) risks factors might be more specifically related to MIQSO, including lower socio-sexual knowledge, less paraphilic interests, lower target specificity, higher prevalence of severe mental disorders, and lower rates of substance abuse.…”

“…Based on the Ward and Hudson ( 31 ) self-regulation pathways model, Lindsay et al ( 32 ) reported that among men with ID, a lower mean IQ (M = 64.5) was associated with higher odds of adopting an approach-automatic pathway of sexual offending, which is associated with poor planning and higher impulsivity [see also ( 33 )]. According to Lindsay ( 20 ), these men fail to attempt to inhibit their sexual impulse because they are not sufficiently aware that these acts are socially unacceptable. Indeed, among MIQSO, the approach-automatic pathway is associated with higher rates of recidivism compared with those who adopt the approach-explicit pathway ( 32 ).…”

“…Traditionally, sexual offenses committed by persons with a lower IQ were viewed as causally linked with sexual naivety, a lack of sexual knowledge and experience, less opportunities for consensual relationships, and low social/interpersonal skills [see the Counterfeit deviance theory for instance; ( 36 , 37 )]. These factors, paired with an understandable desire for interpersonal proximity and sexuality by people with low IQ (just like most persons), may indeed contribute to inappropriate sexual behaviors or relatively minor sexual offenses [e.g., improper talking or touching, kissing a stranger, indecent exposure, peeping; ( 20 , 38 )]. It is worth noting, however, that several MIQSO (especially recidivists and/or those with serious sexual offenses) possess superior sexual knowledge than non-sexual offenders or non-offenders with a lower IQ [e.g., ( 39 – 41 )].…”

“…It is worth noting, however, that several MIQSO (especially recidivists and/or those with serious sexual offenses) possess superior sexual knowledge than non-sexual offenders or non-offenders with a lower IQ [e.g., ( 39 – 41 )]. Therefore, sexual naivety and lack of knowledge cannot explain most serious cases of sexual offenses committed by MIQSO ( 20 ). Again, inclusion of MIQSO convicted of serious sexual offense is warranted to investigate the Counterfeit deviance theory.…”