Type:	Journal Article
Title:	The identification of sexual and violent motivations in men who assault women: implications for treatment
Other Titles:	Journal of interpersonal violence
Authors:	Ward, Tony Fisher, Dawn Beech, Anthony R
Keywords:	Sexual assault;Counselling;Theories of violence
Topic:	Sexual violence
Year:	2006
Publisher:	Sage Publications
Citation:	21 (12), December 2006
Notes:	General Overview: This article presents results of a qualitative analysis of interviews with rapists from a prison sex offender treatment program in the United Kingdom. The study sought to assess five implicit theories (ITs) underlying rapists’ offence supportive beliefs or motives. Objective: The study aimed to examine the five ITs and determine whether types of identified motivation (anger and/or vindictiveness, sexual, control) could inform treatment. Methods: A sample of offenders was constructed consisting of 41 participants serving sentences for rape, who had taken part in a prison sex offender treatment program. Offenders were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Results: The five ITs could be identified in the sample of rapists. The DW (61% of cases) and WSO ITs (54% of cases) were found to be the most common ITs. Entitlement IT (44% of cases) followed. The women as unknowable and/or as dangerous (15%) and male sex drive as uncontrollable (9%) ITs were found to be rare in the sample. Individuals in Group 1 (the violently motivated group) were found to be significantly more likely to have recently separated from a sexual partner, have offended against a partner or ex-partner, have previous convictions for sexual violence or nonsexual violence compared to Group 2 (sexually motivated group). Individuals of Group 2 were found to have more likely offended against strangers and against younger victims. Group 3 (the sexually sadistic group) was found to have all members with previous convictions for sexual and/or violent offences. Case files showed that men in this group were twice as likely to have a history of psychiatric problems. Conclusions: The article provides implications for treatment for the various groups. For the sexually sadistic group, the article advises caution against conducting any forms of treatment where victim empathy training is involved.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12387
ISSN:	0886-2605
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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