Dangerousness in exhibitionists

Abstract

The literature on male genital exhibitionism has suggested some features which may distinguish individuals prone to more serious sex offending, and there is evidence that a large proportion of exhibitionists do in fact commit contact sex offences. Psychiatric records were examined for 210 cases seen by the West Midlands Forensic Psychiatry Service, and collated with criminal record data extending into a follow-up period of 8 to 25 years. It was found that 26 percent had at least one conviction for a contact sex offence. This was statistically associated with 20 variables, but particularly (p 0.005) with a history of the following: childhood conduct disorder, convictions for acquisitive offending, excessive libido, homosexuality, exhibiting at more than one site, cornering or pursuing the victim of the exposure, touching the victim, and being assessed as having an unfavourable prognosis. Discriminant function analysis correctly allocated over 80 percent of cases, suggesting that, with further research, the prediction of dangerousness in exhibitionists is feasible.