The Psychosexual Profile of Sexual Assistants: An Internet-Based Explorative Study

Abstract

IntroductionSexual assistance may have some aspects that resemble prostitution and others that might lead one to think of sexual assistants as similar to a group of subjects whose sexual object is disability (devotees). In this study, we investigate whether a rigorous selection and training process on the part of specialised organisations may reduce the risk of training subjects with an atypical sexual interest and behaviours resembling prostitution.Materials and MethodsThe study population consisted of 152 subjects defining themselves as sexual assistants. Subjects were initially contacted on websites specifically dedicated to sexual assistants and prostitutes. One hundred and twenty subjects were selected, by propensity score analysis, and studied by means of a modified version of a semi-structured questionnaire previously developed to investigate a population of subjects attracted by disability.ResultsThe study group was composed of 80 trained and 40 untrained sexual assistants, with mean ages of 41.5 (SD +/−12.58) and 44.5 (SD +/−11.62), respectively. A significant number of untrained subjects affirmed that their motivation in carrying out sexual assistance was of a remunerative nature, while this number was lower among the trained assistants (p = 0.001). Nearly all untrained subjects claimed to do one or more of the following activities during sexual assistance: sexual intercourse, oral sex, and masturbation. Among the trained subjects, however, only 47.5% claimed to do one or more of these activities, which means that there is a significant gap between trained and untrained assistants (p<0.0001). The existence of an atypical sexual interest was more evident between untrained rather than between trained subjects (p<0.0001).ConclusionsSexual assistance represents a way through which people affected by disabilities may attain the right to explore their sexuality in a safe setting. This can be guaranteed only if sexual assistants are trained and carefully selected by specialised organisations.

Sexual Assistance in Italy: An Explorative Study on the Opinions of People with Disabilities and Would-Be Assistants

“…Those who want to be an assistant feel led to this task because they have a '''natural aptitude to help'' [36] and, in the course of their lives have come in contact with the world of disability, for personal or business reasons. They have perceived the ''sexual need'' of some people with disabilities and they wish to participate in future courses for sexual assistants, to be ''trained'' and ''prepared'' to meet this need.…”

“…In this way we have arrived at a unique theory of SA, which links the needs of people with disabilities with sexual assistants' aptitudes. Accurate selection and training of sexual assistants [36] might reduce the risk of abuse and the violation of any code of ethics [12,37], which may avoid questionable conduct such as that engaged by the health worker interviewed who complied with requests by his clients to masturbate them.…”

“…This risk might increase for those who are most sensitive and who have never had erotic or affective experiences [1]. Sexual assistants might ''take advantage of it'', but if selection and training are comprehensive, the risk might be reduced, as previous literature has highlighted [36].…”

“…Aguilera [35] noted that pornography on disability is very soft and less explicit than classic pornography, instead expressing an interest in providing care and nurturance. On the contrary, Limoncin et al [36] are concerned about the possible sadist implications that ''devotees'' may have towards people with disabilities. In their study of 120 European sexual assistants, sexual fantasies or overt sexual attraction to people with disabilities was reported.…”

“…There are few published studies that have specifically explored the experiences of those people with disabilities who have chosen SA, the desires behind their choice, nor the benefits and iatrogenic effects resulting from it [38][39][40]. Only one study [36] has examined the role of international sexual assistants, and no study has explored the motivations of Italian people aspiring to be sexual assistants, nor of those who already offer sexual services to people with disabilities in Italy.…”