Interactions between disinhibitors in sexual crimes: additive or counteracting effects?

Abstract

This study examines the role of several disinhibitors and the distribution of the presence and absence of these disinhibitors in sexual assaults. Four prominent disinhibitors are selected: alcohol use, drug use, anger, and pornography. Three types of sexual assaults are considered: assaults including sexual intrusion/penetration, assaults including physical violence, and assaults ending in the death of the victim. A conjunctive analysis is used to examine the distribution of these variables both singularly and in all possible combinations.

Keywords:

• sex offenders
• disinhibitors
• sexual assault
• conjunctive analysis

Acknowledgement

The views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Correctional Service of Canada.

Notes

1. See, for example, Ragin's (1994) discussion of the contrast between case or event-oriented analysis and variable-oriented analysis in his chapter on Qualitative Comparative Analysis.

2. This is not to dismiss the concept that the sexual assault is itself violent. Rather, we are including as supplemental to the actual sexual act the use of violent force such as fists, weapons, infliction of pain, and similar behaviors which were a component of the sexual assault itself.