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ABSTRACT
Persons with potentially harmful sexual interests such as attraction to minors are unlikely to seek or receive treatment before a sexual offense has been committed. The current study explored barriers to help-seeking in a sample of 372 individuals in treatment for sexual offending. Results revealed that the shame and secrecy resulting from stigma associated with pedophilic interests often prevented our respondents from seeking professional counseling, and only about 20% tried to talk to anyone about their sexual interests prior to their arrest. Barriers to seeking and receiving psychological services included concerns about confidentiality, fears of social and legal consequences, personal shame or confusion about the problem, affordability, and challenges finding competent therapists who were adequately equipped to help them. Understanding and ultimately reducing obstacles to help-seeking can improve the quality of life for people with harmful sexual interests and potentially prevent sexual abuse of children or other vulnerable individuals.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Ryan Shields for his contributions to the development of the survey instrument and conceptualization of the concepts being studied.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jill S. Levenson
Jill S. Levenson, PhD, LCSW, is a professor of social work at Barry University in Miami. Her research interests focus on the impact and effectiveness of interventions and policies designed to prevent sexual victimization. She received her MSW from University of Maryland and her PhD from Florida International University.
Gwenda M. Willis, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Advancing Sexual Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Research Group in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her research interests are in strengths-based approaches to working with people who have sexually harmed and sexual abuse prevention.
Gwenda M. Willis
Gwenda M. Willis, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Advancing Sexual Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Research Group in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her research interests are in strengths-based approaches to working with people who have sexually harmed and sexual abuse prevention.
Claudia P. Vicencio
Claudia P. Vicencio, LCSW, LMFT, is a clinical social worker with a practice focus on trauma-informed care, dialectical behavior therapy, and effective treatment for co-occurring disorders. She is a doctoral student at the Barry University School of Social Work. Her research is on the impact of early childhood adversity on help-seeking behaviors in adulthood.