More Than a Nuisance

Abstract

Despite indications that acts of frotteurism and exhibitionism are frequent occurrences, these sexual paraphilias have received little empirical attention. To address this gap in our knowledge about these paraphilias, 459 undergraduate students in a major metropolitan city completed a self-report measure designed to investigate the frequency and correlates of frotteurism and exhibitionism. Results indicate a high rate of victimization among female college students for both paraphilias. Furthermore, acts of frotteurism and exhibitionism most often occurred in places related to public transportation (e.g., subway trains or platforms) in this urban setting. In addition, victims reported a number of negative outcomes as a consequence of victimization, including feelings of violation, changes in behavior, and even long-term psychological distress. Older females were the most likely to be victimized. These findings are discussed as they pertain to the prevention and deterrence of paraphilic sexual acts.

Psychological and Developmental Correlates of Paraphilic and Normophilic Sexual Interests

“…Increased arousal to and engagement in a wider range of sexual interests was related to increased sexual sensation seeking and compulsivity, mirroring links between hypersexuality and desires to engage in sex (Walton et al, 2016(Walton et al, , 2017. This relationship was particularly notable for fantasy arousal to and behavioral engagement in courtship paraphilias, linking to findings that these class of paraphilias are linked to compulsive sexual behaviors, hypersexuality, and behavioral disinhibition (Clark et al, 2014;Långström & Seto, 2006;Thomas et al, 2021). Similarly, increased intrusive/courtship paraphilia interests were related to more negative attitudes towards establishing consent and a perceived lack of control over establishing consent.…”

“…There have been some studies that demonstrated the relationship between paraphilic sexual interests and psychopathology, especially in clinical samples. Evidence suggests courtship disorders, especially exhibitionism, are related to poor socialization, compulsive sexual behavior, behavioral inhibition, and hypersexuality (Clark et al, 2014; Långström & Seto, 2006; Thomas et al, 2021). Models of sexual sadism disorder also show that psychopathic traits, behavioral disinhibition, and affective deficits are precursors to sexually sadistic behavior (Mokros et al, 2011).…”

An Examination of Subway Sex Offense Modus Operandi: A Case of Seoul, South Korea

“…The finding that the offenders preferred the morning and evening rush hour was in accord with the results of existing research. Since overcrowding facilitates sex crimes [64,65], morning and evening times when people are going to or returning from work are identified as the most-risky periods [23,25].…”

“…To promote public awareness and victimization reporting, efforts must be directed toward informing the public that subway sex offenses are serious and prevalent issues. Posters and boards around subway stations and inside the cars containing information about the offenses, ways to reduce victimization, and the resources available to the victims such as the numbers to call could increase reporting rates [23,65]. A broader scale of social campaigns as well as legal reforms spearheaded by the central government could create additional sources and programs to support the victims and allow law enforcement to address the crimes effectively [75].…”

Atypical Frotteurism Associated with Voyeurism and Obsession in a Six-Year-Old Boy

“…Depending on cultural beliefs, the type of questionnaire used, the level of complexity of the case, and whether or not childhood behaviors are considered, different prevalence rates of frotteurism have been reported, with an average rate of 15 percent. Considering the legal burden when such paraphilic behavior occurs and the complex background of psychiatric, neurotic, and neuro-psychiatric developmental abnormalities, it is important to consider frotteurism as an important and usually overlooked diagnosis (5). On the other hand, in historically religious countries such as Iran, such behavior is very negatively perceived by the public, and if noticed by the victim it could have severe legal and personal consequences, especially for those frotteurs that have insight, leading to experiences of severe shame and guilt.…”