Developmental Sequela for Sexual Homicide: Testing an Integrated Multi-Theoretical Model

Abstract

Research focusing on the role of adverse childhood experience (ACE) of individuals involved in sexual homicide (SH) is scarce. Theoretical models of SH have postulated a connection between these adverse experiences and the development of internal risk factors. However, such assumptions have never been empirically tested. Therefore, the current research aims to identify how ACEs affect the development of personality disorders and problematic behaviors during adolescence, which constitute internal risk factors for the commission of SH. The sample comes from a database including 613 individuals involved in sexual crimes in Canada among which 60 committed a SH. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify personality disorders and problematic behaviors during adolescence associated with the presence of ACEs. Next, path analysis was used to identify the direct and indirect relationships between ACEs, internal risk factors, and the commission of SH. Results showed that individuals who experienced ACEs were more likely to develop internal risk factors involved in the commission of SH. Moreover, findings suggest that the impact of these adverse experiences will differ, depending on whether the child has been victim of violence or if he/she has witnessed it.

Everyday Sadism as a Predictor of Rape Myth Acceptance and Perception of Harassment

“…However, education alone might not be sufficient to promote intervention behaviors in older adults, as the literature shows that they are less likely to initiate behavioral changes than younger adults (Carstensen & Hartel, 2006). Carstensen and Hartel (2006) argue that to successfully motivate change in this population, it is necessary to communicate persuasive messages tailored to older generations, so they can perceive the information as self-relevant and appealing. Overall, this result should inform prevention programs about the role of age in bystander intervention.…”

“…Sexual violence includes a wide variety of behaviors, ranging from sexual harassment to sexual coercion, to rape, to sadistic rape, to sexual homicide (Knight et al, 2013). Traditionally, the focus has been on studying the causes of severe forms of sexual violence such as sadistic rape (e.g., Longpré et al, 2020b; Reale et al, 2022) or sexual homicide (e.g., Chopin et al, 2023; Stefanska et al, 2020). The rise of social media movements (e.g., #BeenRapedNeverReported) has shed a light on the high prevalence of less severe forms of sexual violence (de Roos & Jones, 2022a).…”

La durée des évènements traumatiques et la polyvictimisation durant l’enfance sont-ils associés au développement de facteurs de risques chez les agresseurs sexuels ?

“…Deuxièmement, des études ont mis en évidence une association entre les ETEA (c.-à-d. présence/absence) et la présence de comportements à risque. Des relations significatives ont été trouvées en particulier avec l'abus d'alcool et de drogues à l'âge adulte (Chopin et al, 2023;Widom, Marmorstein, et al, 2006;Widom, Schuck, et al, 2006). La présence de comportements problématiques pendant l'adolescence a également été étudiée et des associations ont été observées avec les comportements problématiques antisociaux (p. ex.…”

“…mensonge chronique, comportement téméraire) et intériorisés (p. ex. isolement social, phobies, troubles du sommeil, automutilation) (Beauregard et DeLisi, 2018;Chopin et al, 2023;Cicchetti et Banny, 2014).…”

“…Enfin, plusieurs études ont décelé une association entre le degré de violence utilisé lors des agressions sexuelles et la présence d'ETEA. Les résultats indiquent la présence d'une association positive entre la présence d'ETEA et la probabilité d'être impliqué dans des agressions sexuelles avec pénétrations sexuelles ou dans des homicides de nature sexuelle (Chopin et al, 2023;King et al, 2019;Leach et al, 2016).…”