Psychology of Offenders Notes PDF

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY SEMINAR TOPIC: Psychology of Sexual Offending (Rape, Sexual abuse, Child Molestation) Sexual assault is a pervasive global crime Those who commit these crimes attack for a wide variety of reasons. After three decades of research, it is clear that sexual assault is...

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY SEMINAR TOPIC: Psychology of Sexual Offending (Rape, Sexual abuse, Child Molestation) Sexual assault is a pervasive global crime Those who commit these crimes attack for a wide variety of reasons. After three decades of research, it is clear that sexual assault is a multidetermined behavior committed by a heterogeneous group of offenders. Although desire for power, control, and dominance is usually the primary reason, sexual gratification may be the primary reason as well. Even when gratification is a primary motive, however, the exertion and desire of power and control are almost as important—if not equally so. DEFINITION OF SEXUAL ASSULT AND RAPE Legal definitions of what constitutes a sexual offense vary widely from state to state. In a majority of states, the broad term sexual assault has replaced the term rape in the criminal statutes.  Rape is a narrower term, referring to forced penetration of vaginal, anal, or oral regions of the body. Sexual assault recognizes that victims also may be violated in ways that do not involve penetration, such as groping or fondling. Groping: This involves intentionally touching someone in a sexual manner without their consent, often focusing on private areas such as the breasts, buttocks, or genitals. Groping is typically forceful and aggressive, and it can be a deeply violating and distressing experience for the victim. EXAMPLE PRATHI POOVNAKOZHI MOVIE MANJU WARRIER Fondling: This refers to touching or caressing someone in a sexual way, usually more gently than groping, but still without consent. Fondling can include touching, stroking, or handling someone's body or clothing in a sexually suggestive manner. In addition, in an effort to include males as victims, the statutes are becoming increasingly gender neutral  The Federal Criminal Code (Title 18, Chapter 109A, Sections 2241– 2243) definition of sexual assault does not use the term rape and does not require the victim to label the act as rape to meet the criteria (legally called the elements) for the crime (Kilpatrick, Whalley, & Edmunds, 2002). Second, the federal code distinguishes between two types of sexual assault on the basis of the degree of force or threat of force used: (1) aggravated sexual assault - is when a person knowingly causes another person to engage in a sexual act or … attempts to do so by using force against the person, or by threatening or placing that person in fear that the person will be subjected to death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping. Aggravated sexual abuse by other means also occurs when a person administers to another person by force or threat of force, or without the knowledge or permission of that person, a drug, intoxicant, or similar substance. (2) sexual assault – The federal criminal code defines sexual abuse in two ways ; Causing another person to engage in a sexual activity by threatening or placing that person in fear; or 2. Engaging in a sexual act with someone  when that person is incapable of declining participation in or communicating unwillingness to engage in that sexual act TYPOLOGIES OF MEN WHO RAPE Classification systems, based on either personality traits or behavioral patterns of individuals, are called typologies They have been moderately successful in their ability to add to our understanding of criminal behavior classification systems, based on either personality traits or behavioral patterns of individuals, are called typologies, and they have been moderately successful in their ability to add to our understanding of criminal behavior. It is important to realize, however, that individuals do not always fit neatly into a particular type; they only approximate it. Another problem with typologies is that very few of them have been subjected to empirical verification or validation studies, and they sometimes encourage stereotypes of offenders. That is, typologies can promote a tendency for the public and professionals to jam people into their favorite categories without  empirical support or thoughtful consideration of individual differences among offenders. However, typologies can be very useful in organizing a vast array of behavioral patterns that would otherwise be a confusing muddle. They are also useful in correctional facilities for risk management, such as deciding where to place an inmate, or in treatment programming, such as deciding what particular treatment technique or strategy might be most beneficial for an inmate or offender. Many rape typologies have been suggested, however, the most extensively studied sex offender typologies are the ones developed by researchers and clinicians associated with the Massachusetts Treatment Center (MTC) (Knight & Prentky, 1987; Prentky & Knight, 1986). One typology was developed for rapists and the other for child molesters. The MTC typologies are among the most rigorously tested classification systems in sex offender research to date (Goodwill, Alison, & Beech, 2009). The MTC typologies have undergone several revisions over the course of the development and are currently in their fourth revision. The Massachusetts Treatment Center Rapist Typology A group of researchers at the Massachusetts Treatment Center (MTC) has developed an empirically based and useful typology that focuses on the behavioral patterns of convicted rapists, including the appearance of aggressive and sexual patterns in the sexual assaults. It also provides an excellent framework for describing the psychological characteristics of rapists in general. The MTC researchers believe that rape is a multidetermined behavior that can best be explained by models incorporating a multitude of dimensions. The researchers identified four categories of rapists: displaced aggressive, compensatory, sexual aggressive, and impulsive. These have been replaced with a new typology. The MTC classification system now identifies four major types, based on the rapist’s primary motivation (opportunistic, pervasively angry, sexual, vindictive), and nine subtypes. The nine discrete rape subtypes are differentiated on the basis of six variables that have been consistently found by clinicians and researchers  to play an important role in the behavioral, emotional, and thought patterns of a wide array of rapists (and child molesters). The six variables are: Aggression Impulsivity Social competence Sexual fantasies Sadism Naïve cognitions or beliefs AGGRESSION Aggression may be divided into two broad categories: (1) instrumental or strategic violence: The type of aggression used by rapists to gain victim compliance. There is usually no anger present in instrumental aggression, except in reaction to a victim’s lack of cooperation or compliance.  Victim compliance refers to the situation where victims of abuse or coercion seemingly comply with the demands or actions of the abuser. This compliance can occur due to various factors, such as fear, manipulation, power imbalance, or psychological conditioning. It doesn't imply genuine consent or agreement but rather a survival strategy or a result of the coercive control exerted by the perpetrator. (2) expressive aggression or nonstrategic violence: Is used by rapists to hurt, humiliate, abuse, or degrade the victim in some way. This form of aggression goes way beyond simply obtaining victim compliance and is often extremely violent. Sometimes the expressive aggression is “sexualized,” and sometimes it is not Those rapists who intend only to force victim compliance are likely to vary widely in the amount of aggression evident in their offenses”. It may depend on the extent of victim resistance, the level of alcohol or drugs ingested by the offender, the presence of other aggressors or victims, and the context in which the attack occurs. IMPULSIVITY Lifestyle impulsivity has been found to be a powerful predictor of recidivism and frequency of offending. (acting on sudden urges or desires without thinking things through. Studies have shown that people who frequently act impulsively are more likely to commit crimes again and more often. This kind of impulsive behavior is a strong indicator that someone might continue to offend in the future.) Some impulsive people seem to have an overpowering deficiency in self control and continually revert to old behavioral patterns, regardless of the costs. Research has consistently found that lifestyle impulsivity emerges as one of the strongest and most meaningful ways to differentiate repetitive rapists from other repeat sex offenders such as child molesters. (Repetitive rapists often commit their crimes impulsively, acting on immediate urges or situational opportunities. This contrasts with child molesters, who may engage in more planned and calculated behavior, often involving grooming and manipulation over time.)  It is also the major focus of many treatment programs designed to change the antisocial behavior of sex offenders. “Clinicians have long recognized the importance of impulsivity for relapse and have introduced self-control and impulsivity management modules into treatment. NOTE Repetitive rapists are individuals who repeatedly commit acts of rape, which is a specific type of sexual offense involving non-consensual sexual intercourse. Behavior: They tend to show a pattern of behavior where they target victims multiple times, often with similar methods or motivations. This behavior can be driven by factors like power, control, aggression, or psychological disorders. The term "sex offender" is broader and encompasses anyone convicted of a sexual crime, including rape, sexual assault, child molestation, indecent exposure, and possession or distribution of child pornography. Behavior: The range of behaviors among sex offenders can vary widely. Not all sex offenders are repetitive in their actions, and the severity of offenses can also differ significantly. SOCIAL COMPETENCE Sexual offenders have often been described as having poor social and interpersonal skills, especially when dealing with the opposite sex. This feature is especially prominent in the behavioral patterns of child molesters. (Child molesters frequently have difficulties with social interactions and building healthy relationships. Their inability to effectively communicate and connect with adults, especially romantic or sexual partners, may drive them to seek relationships with children, whom they perceive as less complex or challenging.) There are also consistent research findings that rapists as a group are not assertive in their everyday relationships with others. It should be realized that social competence represents a wide range of different abilities, such as social assertiveness, communication skills, social problem solving, social comfort, and political savvy. SEXUAL FANTASIES Sexual fantasy refers to any mental imagery that is sexually arousing or erotic to the individual  Many clinicians believe that sexual fantasy is a necessary precursor to deviant sexual behavior. “There seems to be little question that many men who commit sexual offenses frequently have sexually arousing fantasies about these acts and masturbate to these fantasies regularly and presumably more often than nonoffenders” In one clinical study of men who had been convicted of sexual homicide, approximately 80% had sexual fantasies related to sexually assaultive behavior and the percentage appears to be even higher for those convicted of serial sexual murders. Nevertheless, research suggests that although aggressive or violent sexual fantasies are common in some college males, the degree to which these fantasies translate into an actual sexual assault depends on the individual’s empathy for others. More specifically, those men who are highly self-centered are more likely to be sexually aggressive and act out their sexual fantasies. SADISM The definition of sadism is a pattern of extreme violence in the offense that has often focused on erogenous areas of the body and that may be considered bizarre or appear ritualized. Sadism is illustrated by cruel and malicious acts that are enjoyed by and often sexually arousing to the offender. Sadistic rapists, compared to other types of rapists, tend to offend more frequently against victims who are close friends, intimates, or family. NAIVE COGNITIONS OR BELIEFS Research indicates that offense-justifying attitudes are prevalent among males prone to rape and, to some extent, among the general male population as well. Similar to sexual fantasies, irrational attitudes and cognitive distortions usually are a major focus of most treatment programs for sex offenders. Sexual socialization and social learning play very critical roles in the development of those who choose to sexually assault.  Sexual behavior and attitudes toward women are acquired through day-to-day contacts with family members, peers, images of entertainment figures, and the media in general. Koss and Dinero (1988) found that sexually aggressive men expressed greater hostility toward women, frequently used alcohol, frequently viewed violent and degrading pornography, and were closely connected to peer groups that reinforced highly sexualized and dominating views toward women. These same men were more likely to believe that force and coercion are legitimate ways to gain compliance in sexual relationships. Coercion involves persuading or forcing someone to act in a certain way through threats, manipulation, or pressure. Research reveals that a majority of sexually aggressive men subscribe to attitudes and ideology that encourage men to be dominant, controlling, and powerful, whereas women are expected to be submissive, permissive, and compliant. Such an orientation seems to have a particularly strong disinhibitory effect on sexually aggressive men, encouraging them to interpret  ambiguous behaviors of women as come-ons, to believe that women are not really offended by coercive sexual behaviors, and to perceive rape victims as desiring and deriving gratification from being sexually assaulted. MTC: R3 The MTC:R3 rape typology consists of nine discrete rapist types who are differentiated on the basis of the six variables. Thus far, the research has focused almost exclusively on male rapists. Although a small percentage of reported rapes involve women as offenders, these women are almost invariably operating in partnership with a male offender. Some researchers have suggested that the prevalence of independent female sexual offending has been underestimated, chiefly due to society’s reluctance to accept that women sexually offend or that their offending is harmful to their victims. MTC:R3 typology focuses on the male as the perpetrator. 1. THE OPPORTUNIST RAPIST (TYPE 1 AND 2) The impulsive or opportunistic rapist engages in sexual assault simply because the opportunity to rape presents itself. Thus, this offender type is motivated more by contextual factors and opportunity than by any internally driven sexual fantasy. The rape may occur within the context of some other antisocial act, such as a robbery or burglary. The most prominent characteristic of these offenders is their impulsivity and lack of self-control, resembling those qualities of an immature child. More important, this poor impulse control leads to a pervasive and enduring lifestyle of impulsive and irresponsible behavior, frequently leading to an extensive criminal career. Thus, rape becomes only one of many antisocial behaviors in this person’s repertoire. The opportunistic rapist is not perceived to be “person oriented” and sees the victim only as a sexual object. He seems to have little concern for the victim’s fear or discomfort. Opportunistic offenders consistently engage in troublesome acting-out behavior throughout their childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood.  The Massachusetts Treatment Center researchers have discovered that opportunistic rapists can be subdivided on the basis of their social competence and the developmental stage at which their high impulsivity is first noticed. The opportunistic offender who is high in social competence—a Type 1 rapist—manifests impulsivity in adulthood. The Type 2 rapist, on the other hand, is low in social competence and demonstrates impulsivity during adolescence. According to the MTC 3 the offender should show these: Callous indifference to the welfare and comfort of the victim Presence of no more force than is necessary to get the compliance of the victim (instrumental aggression). Any excessive force or aggression—beyond what is needed to carry out the offense—rules out this type. Evidence of adult impulsive behavior, such as frequent fighting, vandalism, and other impulse-driven antisocial behavior 2. THE PERVASIVELY ANGRY RAPIST (TYPE 3) The pervasively angry rapist demonstrates a predominance of global and undifferentiated anger that pervades all areas of the offender’s life.  These rapists are angry at the world in general, and their anger is directed at both men and women. The acts reflect capricious and random violence directed at whoever gets in the way at the wrong time and wrong place. When these men attack women, their violent and aggressive behaviors exhibit a minimum or total absence of sexual arousal. Their attacks are characterized by high levels of aggression, and they inflict considerable injury on their victims. Psychopaths who sexually assault fall most often into the opportunistic or the pervasively angry categories. The occupational history of the pervasively angry rapist is usually stable and often reveals some level of success. He perceives himself as athletic, strong, and masculine. More often than not, his occupation is a “masculine” one, such as truck driver, carpenter, mechanic, electrician, or plumber. These offenders experienced chaotic and unstable childhoods and family life. Many of them were adopted or foster children who were often neglected or abused. An offender must demonstrate the following characteristics to be classified as the pervasively angry type: Presence of a high degree of nonsexualized aggression or rage expressed through verbal or physical assault that clearly exceeds what is necessary to gain compliance of the victim (expressive aggression) Evidence of adolescent and adult sexual and nonsexual antisocial behavior  Carries out attacks that are usually unplanned and unpremeditated. 3. SEXUALLY MOTIVATED, SADISTIC RAPIST (Types 4 and 5) The motivation for the next four types is “sexual” in that their attacks are characterized by the presence of protracted sexual or sadistic fantasies that strongly influence the assaults. A discernible pattern of sexual preoccupation and fantasy is what all four have in common. The sexually motivated rapist category is subdivided into sadistic and non-sadistic, and each is further subdivided SADISTIC SEXUAL OFFENDERS Sadistic sexual offenders are either “overt” (Type 4) or “muted” (Type 5) depending on whether their sexually aggressive acts are directly expressed in violent attacks (overt) or are only fantasized (muted). MUTED SADISTIC RAPIST (TYPE 5) The muted offender’s motive is the victim’s fear or some violent fantasy that aids in his sexual arousal. That is, the victim’s fear excites him, or he relies on some  rehearsed sexual fantasy during the act to excite him. However, that Type 5 (muted sadistic rapist) has been deleted in the new revision 4. THE OVERT SADISTIC RAPIST (TYPE 4) The overt sadistic rapist demonstrates both sexual and aggressive elements in his assault. In essence, the victim’s actual (not fantasized) pain and discomfort are prerequisites for his sexual excitement. He believes his victims fundamentally “enjoy” being abused, forcefully raped, aggressively dominated, and controlled. Therefore, this type of rapist interprets the victim’s resistance and struggle as a game, and the more the victim resists, the more excited and aggressive he becomes. At first, the attack may begin as attempts at seduction, but with increasing resistance from the victim, aggressive behaviors become increasingly prominent. On the other hand, rage or high levels of violence are precipitated in the offender when the victim, out of abject fear or helplessness, becomes passive and submissive, so it seems to be a no-win situation for the victim. In this context, in the offender’s eyes, the victim is no longer playing the “game” properly.  Overt sadistic rapists are frequently married, but they show little commitment to the marriage. Their backgrounds often are replete with sexual and nonsexual offending, beginning during adolescence or before and ranging from truancy (unexcused absenteeism in school)to rape-murder. They have often had severe behavior problems in school, and throughout their lifetimes they have displayed poor behavior control and a low frustration tolerance. They manifest more paraphilias than the other types of rapists. The term paraphilia “denotes an intense and persistent sexual interest other than sexual interest in genital stimulation or preparatory fondling with phenotypically normal, physically mature, consenting human partners”. A paraphilia becomes a disorder when it causes distress or impairment to the individual or entails personal harm or risk of harm to others. 4. SEXUALLY MOTIVATED, NON SADISTIC RAPIST (TYPE 6 and 7) The non-sadistic rapist engages in a sexual attack because of an intense sexual arousal prompted by specific stimuli identified in the intended victim.  Although rape is, by definition, clearly a violent act, aggression is not the significant feature in the attack of the sexually motivated, non-sadistic rapist. The fundamental motivation is the desire to prove sexual prowess and adequacy to the victim. This type is also known as the “power reassurance rapist”. These men live in a world of fantasy, oriented around themes of how victims will yield eagerly under attack, submit to pleasurable intercourse, and even request further contact with the rapist. These rapists fantasize that they will at last be able to prove their masculinity and sexual competence to themselves and the victims. In their sexual assaults, these rapists are described as being highly sexually aroused and showing obvious disturbances involving lack of control and cognitive-perceptual distortions of reality. The victim of such a rapist is most often a stranger, but the rapist has probably watched and followed the victim for some time. Certain stimuli have drawn his attention and excited him. For instance, he may be attracted to college women or women who are tall or wear uniforms.  The two subtypes of non-sadistic, sexually motivated rapists, similar to the two subdivisions of the opportunistic rapist. One group may be described as quiet, shy, submissive, and socially inadequate. Although they are dependable workers, their poor social skills and resulting low self-esteem prevent them from succeeding at occupational advancement. This type of person is usually classified as low socially competent, or Type 6. The second subtype may be more socially adaptable and competent and achieve more occupational advancement and professional development. This rapist is classified as highly socially competent (Type 7) 5. VINDICTIVE RAPIST (Types 8 and 9) In an effort to express anger toward women, the vindictive rapist uses the act of rape to harm, humiliate, and degrade them. A violent sexual assault is, in this rapist’s eyes, the most humiliating and dominating act possible.  The victims are brutally assaulted and subjected to sadistic acts such as biting, cutting, or tearing of parts of the body. In most instances, the victims are complete strangers, although the victim may possess certain characteristics that attract the assailant’s attention. Often, in addition to using physical abuse, this attacker will use a great deal of profanity and emotional abuse through threats. Resisting this particular rapist may engender more violence from him. Although many vindictive rapists are married, their relationships with women are characterized by periodic irritation and violence, and they probably engage in domestic violence and partner abuse. These men generally perceive women as demanding, hostile, and unfaithful individuals who need to be dominated and controlled. They sometimes select their victim because they perceive something in her behavior or appearance that communicates assertiveness, independence, and professional activity. Vindictive rapists can be subdivided by their degree of social competence, although here they are divided into low and moderate rather than low and high. The Groth Rapist Typology Nicholas Groth (1979; Groth, Burgess, & Holmstrom, 1977) has proposed typologies for both rapists and child molesters that are somewhat similar to the MTC systems. MTC:R3 was largely built on research and statistical analyses, the Groth typology has been predominantly clinically developed and has not been adequately tested for reliability and validity. The Groth system is based on the presumed motivations and aims that underlie almost all rapes.  According to Groth (1979), rape is a “pseudosexual act” in which sex serves merely as a vehicle for the primary motivations of power and aggression. Rape is always a symptom of some psychological dysfunction, either temporary and transient or chronic and repetitive” Rape, he says, “is always and foremost an aggressive act” On this basis, Groth divides rape behavior into three major categories: (1) anger rape, (2) power rape, and (3) sadistic rape. 1.ANGER RAPE In anger rape, the offender uses more physical force than necessary to gain compliance and engages in a variety of sexual acts that are degrading or humiliating to the woman. He also expresses his contempt for the victim through abusive and profane language. Rape, for the anger rapist, is a violent act of conscious anger and rage toward women.  According to Groth (1979), sex is actually “dirty,” offensive, and disgusting to the angry rapist, and this is the reason why he uses the sexual act to defile and degrade the victim. To illustrate, Groth quotes one rapist: “I wanted to knock the woman off her pedestal, and I felt rape was the worst thing I could do to her” Very often, his attacks are prompted by a previous conflict with or humiliation by some significant woman in his life, such as a wife, supervisor, or mother. 2.POWER RAPE The offender in power rape seeks to establish power and control over his victim. Consequently, the amount of physical force and threat used will depend on the degree of submission shown by the victim. The goal of the power rapist is sexual conquest, and he will try everything in his power to overcome any resistance. Sexual intercourse is his way of establishing his masculine identity, authority, potency, mastery, and domination as well as achieving sexual gratification.  However, the offender is often disappointed that the assault did not live up to his expectations and fantasies. 3.SADISTIC RAPE The third pattern of rape proposed by Groth is the sadistic rape, which includes both sexual aspects and extreme nonsexual aggression. The sadistic rapist experiences sexual arousal and excitement at the victim’s maltreatment, helplessness, and suffering. The assault may involve bondage and torture, and he often administers physical abuse to various parts of the victim’s body. The victim may be stalked, abducted, abused, and sometimes murdered. Groth (1979) estimated that more than half of the offenders evaluated or treated by his agency were power rapists, 40% were anger rapists, and only 5% were sadistic rapists. Interestingly, Groth asked convicted sex offenders to rate the sexual pleasure they had received from the rape on a scale from 1 (little or none) to 10 (extremely satisfying). Most of the offenders gave ratings of 3 or less, indicating low sexual pleasure from the act.  In fact, Groth found that many men failed to have orgasms during the rape. Most reactions from the sex offenders in the sample to the sexual aspects of the attack ranged from disappointment to disgust. Moreover, none of the offenders thought rape was more rewarding or gratifying sexually than consensual sex. CHILD SEX OFFENDERS Pedophilia is commonly known as “child molestation” or child sexual abuse, but pedophilia —as defined in the DSM-5—is not necessarily a crime. It is a psychological condition, defined as one in which, “over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger)” italics to emphasize that the fantasies or urges themselves are not criminal; they become so only if and when the individual acts upon them. It is also important to note that not all child molesters have the fantasies and urges that have traditionally been associated with pedophilia. The DSM-5 further specifies that some pedophiles are sexually attracted only to children (the exclusive type), whereas others are attracted sexually to both children and adults (nonexclusive type)  If the child victim is the offender’s relative—sometimes referred to as intrafamilial child molestation—the criminal behavior is called incest. By far the largest group in this category is fathers who molest their sexually immature daughters or stepdaughters (Rice & Harris, 2002). Extrafamilial child molestation, on the other hand, refers to sexual abuse from a person outside the family. CSOs tend to select children who do not have many friends and “who appear to lack confidence, to have low self-esteem, and to be unhappy and emotionally needy” Furthermore, disabilities of any kind tend to increase the vulnerability of children to sexual predators. For example, children with learning difficulties, language impairments, health problems, and intellectual disabilities are vulnerable targets for CSOs. Children from families in which parents do not show the child sufficient attention or affection are also especially vulnerable. because of the extremely negative attitudes the public has toward child sexual abuse, CSOs rarely take full responsibility for their actions. Many claim that they went blank, were too intoxicated to know what they were doing, could not help themselves, or did not know what came over them. MTC : CM3 Similar to their development of the MTC:R3 for rape typing, the Massachusetts Treatment Center researchers (M. L. Cohen et al., 1969; R. A. Knight, 1989; R. A. Knight & Prentky, 1990; R. A. Knight, Rosenberg, &  Schneider, 1985) have also developed one of the most useful typologies or empirically based classification systems for CSOs yet constructed. Called the MTC:CM3 (Child Molesters, Revision 3), the system underscores the importance of viewing child sex offending as characterized by multiple behavioral patterns and intentions. The MTC:CM3 classifies child molesters according to variables on two basic dimensions. 1. The first dimension focuses on the degree of fixation the offender has on children and the level of social competence demonstrated by the offender 2. The second dimension focuses on the amount of contact with children, the level of injury to the victim, and the amount of sadism manifested in the attack. FIRST DIMENSION The MTC researchers have distinguished four types of child molesters based on this dimension: High fixation, low social competence (Type 0) High fixation, high social competence (Type 1) Low fixation, low social competence (Type 2) Low fixation, high social competence (Type 3) The term fixation refers to the intensity of pedophilic interest or the degree to which the offender is focused on children as sexual objects.  High fixation means that the offender demonstrates an exclusive and long-standing preference for children as sexual objects, whereas a low fixation connotes that both children and adults can serve or have served as sexual objects for the offender. Social competence refers to the level of social and interpersonal skills, assertiveness, and self-esteem possessed by the offender. Low social competence signifies that the offender has inadequate social skills, is unassertive in dealing with adults, and demonstrates poor self-esteem. TYPE 0 Type 0 child molester displays a long-standing preference for children as both sexual and social companions. He has never been able to form a mature relationship with adult peers, male or female, and he is described by people who know him as socially immature, passive, timid, and dependent. He feels most comfortable with children. The Type 0 CSO is rarely married or in a long-lasting relationship and has a history of steady employment, although the type of work is often below his ability and intellectual capacity. Sexual contact with the child occurs after the two become fully acquainted through a number of social encounters. He rarely is aggressive or uses physical force and rarely engages in genital intercourse.  The behavior is generally restricted to touching, fondling, or caressing the child. However, this pedophile is the most difficult to treat and is most likely to recidivate because he is not disturbed or troubled about his exclusive preference for children. TYPE 1 Type 1 is similar to Type 0 in his child molestation strategies. However, he tends to be more socially competent in dealing with the world, has higher self-esteem, and usually has a good work history in line with his competence. TYPE 2 Type 2 child molesters have low fixation. They have had a fairly normal adolescence and good peer relationships and sexual experiences, but they later developed feelings of sexual inadequacy and self-doubt. These feelings of inadequacy were further exacerbated by failures in their occupational, social, or sexual lives. The Type 2 offender’s background almost always includes alcohol abuse, divorce, and a poor employment history. Each pedophilial act is usually precipitated by a significant disappointment related to the offender’s sexual and social adequacy in interaction with either female or male peers.  Unlike Types 0 and 1, the low-fixated/low socially competent offender prefers victims who are strangers and who live outside his neighborhood or area. The victims are nearly always female, and he seeks genital sex with the victim. Unlike Type 0 and 1 child molesters, this offender often feels remorseful for his actions and is willing to change. SECOND DIMENSION MTC researchers have also discovered that CSOs can be distinguished on the basis of how much daily contact they seek with children The “amount of contact” dimension identifies six types of CSOs: High contact, interpersonal interests (Type 1) A high-contact offender has regular contact with children within both sexual and nonsexual contexts. These high-contact offenders often engage in occupations or recreational activities that bring them into frequent contact with children. The MTC research team identified two kinds of offenders who intentionally seek more extensive contact with children: (1) the interpersonal offender (Type 1), who seeks the frequent company of children for both social and sexual needs. High contact, sexual interests (Type 2) the narcissistic offender (Type 2), who seeks the company of children primarily for sexual needs. Narcissistic offenders molest  children they do not know, and their sexual acts with children are typically genitally oriented. low-contact child molesters come into contact with children only when they decide to sexually assault a child. Low-contact child molesters are subdivided into those who administer very little physical injury to their victims and those who administer high physical injury. Low physical injury is indicated by the absence of physical harm to the victim and the presence of such acts as pushing, shoving, slapping, holding, verbal threats, or other intimidation tactics. Low physical injury offenders are further classified into two types: (1) exploitative, non-sadistic offenders (called Type 3) (2) muted or symbolic, sadistic offenders (Type 4). Low contact, low physical injury, exploitative (Type 3) The Type 3 offender uses no more aggression or violence than is necessary to obtain victim compliance. Low contact, low physical injury, psychologically sadistic (Type 4) Type 4, on the other hand, engages in a variety of frightening, painful, or threatening acts, none of which causes significant physical injury to the child. Finally, the MTC:CM3 classifies two types of child molesters who administer a high amount of physical injury to their victims: (1) the aggressive offender (Type 5) (2) the sadistic offender (Type 6). High injury is characterized by hitting; punching; choking; sodomizing; or forcing the child to ingest disgusting things, such as urine or feces. Low contact, high physical injury, aggressive (Type 5) The Type 5 offender is drawn to children for both aggressive and sexual reasons, but sadism is not the primary need. He is extremely angry about all things in his life and is generally violent toward people, including children. Low contact, high physical injury, victim pain (Type 6) The sadistic or Type 6 offender obtains sexual pleasure from the pain, fear, and physical harm he inflicts on the child. He exploits the child’s vulnerability any way he can and attempts various strategies and ploys to get the child to comply. This offender does not care about the emotional or physical well-being of the victim and sees the child strictly as a sexual object. He usually has a long history of criminal and antisocial behavior. His relationships with peers are unpredictable, difficult, and stormy. He is unpleasant to be around, uncomfortable to work with, and generally moody and irritable. His very poor and abrasive interpersonal skills may be the principal reason he selects children as victims. The aggressive-sadistic or Type 6 child molester is apt to have a long history of antisocial behavior and poor adjustment to his environments. Type 6 CSOs most often prefer male children.  Because the primary motive is to obtain sexual gratification without consideration for the victim, these offenders often assault the child viciously and sadistically. The more harm and pain inflicted, the more this individual becomes excited. Type 6 CSOs are most often responsible for child abductions and murders by strangers. The Groth Typology by Nicholas Groth (1979; Groth & Burgess, 1977). Groth classifies child molesters on the basis of the longevity of the behavioral patterns and the offender’s psychological aims. If the sexual preference for children has existed persistently since adolescence, he is classified as an immature or fixated child molester. Like the MTC system’s high-fixation type, the fixated child molester has been sexually attracted to children throughout his life. Groth (1979) argues that this fixation is due to poor psychological development. On the other hand, if the child molester has managed to develop some normal aspects to his relationships with adults but turns to children for sexual comfort when stressed or when he experiences a blow to his self-esteem, he is called a regressed child molester. Groth further subdivides child molesters on the basis of their intentions or psychological goals. He identifies two basic types: (1) sex-pressure offenders  (2) sex-force offenders. The sex-pressure of ender tries to entice the child into sexual acts through persuasion or cajolement or to entrap the child by placing him or her in a situation in which he or she feels indebted or obligated. Attractive gifts or “thoughtful” favors are the most common strategies. The sex-force of ender, on the other hand, uses threat of harm or brute physical force. The offender either intimidates the child by exploiting the child’s helplessness, naïveté, or trust, or simply physically overpowers the child. sex-force type can be subdivided into the exploitative type, who use the threat of force to overcome victim resistance, and the sadistic type, who derive great pleasure in harming the child. The exploitative offender employs verbal threats, restraint, manipulation, intimidation, and physical strength to overcome the child’s resistance. His intent is not to physically harm the child but to obtain the child’s compliance. According to these researchers, the sadistic type eroticizes the pain he administers to the child. He uses more force than necessary to gain compliance and may even commit what some police investigators call a “lust murder.” The physical and psychological abuse is necessary for him to experience sexual excitement and gratification. Often, the child is beaten, choked, tortured, and violently sexually abused. Fortunately, like the sadistic offender of the MTC:CM3 typology, this type of offender is very rare.