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Background: Sexual violence, a pervasive global issue, significantly impacts individuals and societies, necessitating a deeper understanding of its underlying biological mechanisms. This study aimed to elucidate the role of stress-induced dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in sexual aggression in male Wistar rats. Employing a sexual aggression paradigm, we investigated the effects of social isolation on aggression, anxiety-like behaviour, and neurochemistry in virgin adult male Wistar rats. Results: The results showed that social isolation significantly escalated aggressive behaviours and induced anxiety-like responses in male rats. The sexual aggression test revealed that socially isolated males exhibited heightened aggression towards non-receptive females. Neurochemical analyses indicated significant alterations in key markers, such as corticotrophin-releasing hormone, oxytocin, and arginine vasopressin, correlating with the observed behavioural changes. Gene expression analyses revealed significant findings, particularly in the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and vasopressin receptor 1 A (AVPR1A) genes. Social isolation and the duration of aggressive behaviour prior to the sexual aggression test significantly influenced OXTR expression in the hippocampus and AVPR1A expression in both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental stressors, neurochemical responses, and gene expression in the manifestation of sexual aggression behaviour. Conclusions: This study underscores the critical impact of stress and social isolation on sexual aggression, providing valuable insights into possible neurobiological underpinnings of sexual violence. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective interventions to mitigate the consequences of sexual aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENTAlthough the public bias against individuals who commit sex offences against children is well established, few researchers have investigated the same bias in professionals who evaluate and treat them. In a sample of members of the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA), we examined how victim age influenced risk assessment and punishment attitudes and whether feedback from an actuarial measure influenced these ratings. Participants (N = 123, 27–78 years old, 60.2% female, 92.6% White) were presented with Static-99R feedback and could change their ratings. We hypothesised that both risk ratings and dispositional placements for child victim vignettes would be higher than for adult victim vignettes. Whereas risk ratings for child victim vignettes were significantly higher than risk ratings for adult victim vignettes, the same pattern did not emerge in the disposition ratings. ATSA members used actuarial feedback to effectively temper some initial biases, and their bias in victim type did not translate to punitive dispositional placements. These findings suggest that ATSA’s evaluators should try to identify and reduce their cognitive biases, make risk estimates as accurately as possible, regardless of victim age, and continue to follow the guidance of empirically validated actuarials when making dispositional decisions.Although our sample of ATSA professionals did not have a bias in their dispositional placements when comparing individuals who sexually offend against children vs adults, this study indicated that more work needs to be done to reduce biases in risk assessment. This involves keeping clinicians informed on factors that are most relevant to risk assessment, using valid assessment tools, and following RNR guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual aggression (SA) is a significant public health problem, with the majority of SA involving alcohol. The present study examined associations between alcohol expectancies for sexual enhancement, event-level alcohol use, and the likelihood of SA perpetration. Young, adult non-problem drinking men participated in a laboratory session and completed a background survey that included measures of alcohol expectancies. Subsequently, men completed 6-week and 3-month follow-up surveys in which they reported their sexual experiences each day during the intervening 6-week period using Timeline Followback procedures. The analytic sample consisted of the 421 men (Mage = 24.66, SD = 2.69) who reported having sex at least once during the follow-up period. Multilevel models showed a significant alcohol expectancies X alcohol use interaction at the between-person level: Controlling for time and alcohol expectancies for aggression, stronger alcohol expectancies for sexual enhancement were associated with greater SA perpetration likelihood among men who consumed high amounts of alcohol before sexual encounters but not among men who consumed low amounts. Alcohol prevention programs should consider addressing men's alcohol expectancies for sexual enhancement to reduce risk for SA perpetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined three proximal motives for sexual aggression (sexual persistence after a turn down): sexual arousal, power, and relationship. The MTurk sample consisted of 264 adults: 92 Millennial men (35%), 51 Millennial women (19%), 82 Gen X men (31%) and 39 Gen X women (15%). The motive data, measured by the Sexual Aggression Motive Assessment (SAMA), were unanalyzed data extracted from the authors' previous study of the Millennial shift, a phenomenon in which Millennial women, as compared to older generation women, showed higher levels of sexual aggression, while Millennial men, in comparison to older generation men, demonstrated lower levels of sexual aggression. For all respondents combined, the most chosen motive category was sexual arousal (95%), followed by relationship (49%), and then by power (18%) with 50% choosing two or more motive categories. Providing conceptual support for the Millennial shift, significantly more Millennial women than Gen X women chose motives of sexual arousal and power as reasons for perpetrating sexual aggression. An important finding for the relationship motive is that substantial numbers of both men and women engaged in sexual aggression because they felt that having sex would make the person like them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This experiment expands the findings from Abbey et al. (2021) by randomly assigning participants to one of three versions of a sexual aggression measure that differed only in the language used to convey the lack of consent: (a) "make her," (b) "without her consent," or (c) "when she didn't want to." Method: Men between the ages of 18 and 35 (N = 1,291) were recruited via a Qualtrics Panel for a study of their dating and sexual experiences with women. They completed demographics, validity indicators, and one randomly assigned version of the sexual aggression measure. Results: Self-reported rates of sexual aggression were high across conditions. Participants who responded to questions that used "make her" language reported significantly higher rates of verbally coerced penetrative sex than did participants who responded to questions about sex "without her consent" or "when she didn't want to." By contrast, self-reported rates of completed rape (i.e., physical force or incapacitation tactics), attempted rape, and nonpenetrative sexual contact did not significantly differ based on the language used to convey the lack of consent. The magnitude of the correlations between the total number of sexually aggressive acts and convergent and discriminant validity measures was comparable regardless of the phrasing used to convey the lack of consent. Conclusions: Tacit societal approval of the use of verbal pressure to obtain sex makes it difficult for people to recognize their own use of these tactics. Societal-level solutions are required to create a climate in which freely given consent is the norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This systematic review synthesizes research on post-aggression factors influencing the PTSD symptoms of gay male victims of physical or sexual aggression. Method: Four databases with specific key words were systematically searched. Articles published between 1973 and 2022 focusing on adult gay men, PTSD symptoms, sexual or physical aggression experiences and post-aggression factors were included. Risks of bias and study characteristics were examined for cross-sectional studies. Results: The search led to the inclusion of 26 articles containing five domains of post-aggression factors significantly associated with PTSD, i.e., cognitive, social, coping strategies, emotional and gay identity. Conclusion: Clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dual harm involves the unfortunate experience of harm to self and others/objects. Safeguarding individuals in forensic psychiatric settings against all forms of harm to self and others is sacrosanct. While understanding dual harm is crucial in the care and rehabilitation of patients in forensic psychiatric settings, only a few studies have explored this phenomenon. This study examined dual harm and its associated clinical and sociodemographic factors among forensic patients in Ontario, Canada. Methods: In this retrospective study, we used data from the Ontario Review Board (ORB) (n = 1240; mean age 42.54±3.32 years, and 85.73% male). We defined dual harm as the co-occurrence of self-harming behaviour in the last 12 months and violent behaviour towards others or objects (such as verbal, physical, or sexual aggression). We analysed the data in relation to clinical and sociodemographic factors. Results: Of 1240 patients, 43 (3.55%) had engaged in dual harm. Most of them had engaged in dual harm related to verbal aggression (3.15%), followed by dual harm related to aggression towards objects (2.97%), dual harm related to aggression towards others (2.73%), and dual harm related to sexual aggression was the rarest (1.32%). Only 12 patients had engaged in all types of dual harm. Having a previous history of dual harm and a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder increased the chance of perpetrating/engaging in dual harm. However, increasing age and a higher education decreased the chance of dual harm. These factors were similar for different types of dual harm, except for dual harm related to sexual aggression, which was the only subtype associated with having a personality disorder diagnosis. Again, the experience of violence increased the chance of self-harm. Conclusion: Dual harm is present among forensic patients in Ontario, and self-harm is prevalent among individuals with various forms of aggression, especially when the violence was perpetrated towards objects. Strategies to manage the risk of self-harm among aggressive patients should be put in place to mitigate dual harm and the associated complications, especially among individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on pornography use and sexual coercion has provided some evidence that there is an association between these two behaviors. One area in this body of research where there is a need for improvement is the operationalization of pornography use. In particular, a need for researchers to capture all relevant aspects of pornography use that are associated with sexual coercion. These aspects include frequency of use, type of pornography used, investment in use, sexual scripts adopted from pornography, compulsive use, and first exposure. The current study aims to examine which of these aspects of pornography use are significantly associated with sexual coercion. A sample of 365 college males was surveyed on their pornography use, engagement in sexually coercive behaviors, and other relevant variables. Results show that sexual scripts and investment in pornography use are significantly related to self-reported sexual coercion. These findings indicate that the frequency with which someone views pornography may not be driving the relationship between pornography use and sexual coercion and that an individual's monetary investment in their pornography use habit, as well as their adoption of sexual scripts from pornography, may be what is driving this relationship. In addition, these findings have implications for the aspects of pornography use that researchers should focus on when examining the relationship between pornography use and sexual coercion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) are opportunistic omnivores and extremely adaptable in both rural and urban environments. A study was conducted out in human‐dominated fragmented moist Afromontane forest of wondo genet to investigate the diurnal activity budgets and feeding habits of grivet monkey. Data collection was carried out from February to September 2022 covering both wet and dry seasons. During each scan, individuals were recorded as performing one of the following activities: feeding, moving (searching for food), resting, grooming, playing and others such as drinking, vocalisation and defecation, or aggression and sexual activity. Dietary composition and preferences were assessed using scan sampling method. Proximate analysis was conducted to examine the nutritional makeup of feeding food items. The greatest proportion of the activity time budget of the grivet monkey was devoted to feeding, resting and moving, with relatively higher time devoted to feeding and moving and less time devoted to resting when compared with grivet monkeys inhabiting natural habitats. Grivet monkey utilised 42 food items grouped into 41 plant species and 1 insect. Psidium guava and Desmodium intortum, relatively with higher crude protein and less fibre, were the most preferred plants consumed. The study has pointed out that grivet monkeys in the human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest tend to prefer to consume on fruit tress such as Persea americana, Mangifera indica and Psidium guava, which contain high nutritional content that are planted and managed around homesteads. It is recommended to plant and sustainably manage grivet monkeys' natural foods in human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest to sustainably conserve the species and avoid/reduce human‐grivet monkey conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractScholars have theorized that sex education could reduce rape-supportive attitudes even if the education doesn’t explicitly address rape. Three studies were conducted to develop and test a sex education intervention to reduce rape-supportive attitudes among college students. In Study 1, focus groups (N = 28) identified barriers to participation in rape prevention. Students noted stereotypical gender roles, simplistic messages about consent, and sex negativity as barriers. Study 2 was a pilot randomized controlled trial of a sex-positive sex education intervention (N = 115). The intervention resulted in a greater reduction in three out of five rape-supportive attitudes and a greater improvement in two out of five consent attitudes compared to the control condition, although some results were moderated by gender or prior knowledge. In Study 3, students (N = 119) self-selected into the sex education program or a relationship program. Men were more likely than women to choose the sex program. There were no differences in program selection as a function of sexual aggression history or rape-supportive attitudes, providing evidence that the sex education intervention was palatable even to individuals at risk for perpetration. These studies provide preliminary support for the use of sex education as a form of rape prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Violence against women, particularly sexual violence, poses a significant public health concern. Predispositions toward perpetrating such acts often stem from the acceptance of myths that justify or deny these behaviours. This study aimed to explore how dark personality traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism) and pornography consumption relate to the acceptance of these myths. Methods: Surveying 598 participants, the research employed Latent Profile Analyses (LPA) to identify distinct population profiles, Additionally, regression analyses were employed to further explore the relationships among variables. Results: Three profiles emerged, showcasing varying degrees of acceptance of sexual aggression myths. The most concerning profile, encompassing 9.2% of participants, displayed the highest alignment with these myths, alongside elevated scores in dark personality traits and pornography consumption. Notwithstanding the three profiles showed significant differences in the acceptance of these myths. Interestingly, the regression analysis highlighted that Machiavellianism stood out as the primary predictor for accepting sexual aggression myths, overshadowing the influence of pornography consumption. Conclusion: This emphasizes the role of personality traits in influencing attitudes towards sexual aggression myths. Moreover, implications for tailored prevention strategies, focusing on high-risk profiles, are discussed, highlighting the potential for targeted interventions to address harmful beliefs and behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to assess if attendance at alcohol-intensive environments (AIE; bars, parties), was associated with men's engagement in two types of sexually aggressive tactics (enticement/coercion and assault) independent of individual alcohol consumption. Young men (n = 790) were recruited through Qualtrics' survey panel to complete a web-administered questionnaire. We ran a multinominal logistic regression predicting whether men used each tactic. AIE attendance, but not alcohol consumption, was related to men's use of assaultive tactics only whereas alcohol consumption, but not AIE attendance, was related to enticement/coercion. Men's attendance at AIE may be associated with their engagement in certain aggressive tactics, rather than their individual alcohol consumption. Prevention programme implementers may want to focus on cultural risk factors associated with AIE for specific sexual aggression tactics. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT: Men's attendance at alcohol intensive settings (AIE; e.g. bars/parties) may be a stronger predictor of their sexual aggression than individual alcohol consumption. AIE attendance may relate to sexual aggression because of cultural norms surrounding AIE that could normalise men's sexual aggression. Prevention programmes could focus on underlying cultural norms associated with AIE and teach people to identify concerning sexual situations within these contexts, given that they can be a risk factors for sexual aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the recent exhortations of health communication scholars to continue the study of pornography and its potential impact on health-related behaviors, the present study investigated associations between the frequency of pornography use and six indicators of impersonal sex among a national probability sample of US adults. Impersonal sex has been linked to a variety of important public health outcomes, including STD risk and sexual aggression perpetration. In this study, pornography use was positively correlated with the likelihood of engaging in group sex, having sex with a casual partner, having sex without emotional intimacy, experiencing heightened sexual pleasure during non-relational sex, relational infidelity, and perceiving the receipt of sexual pleasure from others as the best thing about sex. No evidence emerged that these associations were spuriously due to high sex drive individuals being both more likely to consume pornography and engage in impersonal sex. But several were conditional on age. Most importantly, countering the conventional wisdom that sexual media are most likely to affect the sexual behavior of young audiences, the strength of the positive association between pornography use and the likelihood of engaging in group sex and casual dyadic sex was larger among older adults and weaker among younger adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual aggression is a major problem on U.S. college and university campuses, with about 20% of college women reporting experiences of nonconsensual sexual contact during their time in college and one in 15 college men reporting perpetrating behaviors that would qualify as rape. To address this challenge, we examined conceptual, empirical, and practical insights from the science of social norms that can guide psychologists' work in the prevention of U.S. college men's sexual aggression perpetration. Although social norms—the rules and customs that communicate what people do or approve of—have been widely applied in different fields of study, their potential in preventing college men's sexually aggressive behaviors has not been fully realized. Therefore, guided by feminist, cultural, and ecological perspectives, we explored how prevention practice on college men's sexual aggression perpetration can benefit from examining six facets of social norms. Specifically, a comprehensive approach to preventing college men's sexual aggression perpetration should (a) address different types of norms (e.g., descriptive, injunctive, and prescriptive norms), (b) target multiple behaviors and attitudes, (c) tackle both generic- and situation-specific norms, (d) seek to change both perceived and collective norms, (e) deploy diverse sources of normative information about antisexual aggression norms (summative information, individuals' behaviors, and institutional signals), and (f) strengthen positive norms by increasing their prevalence and importance. Public Significance Statement: In this article, we explain how knowledge of social norms research and practice can enhance psychologists' work in preventing U.S. college men's perpetration of sexual aggression. Specifically, a comprehensive approach to preventing college men's sexual aggression should address different types of norms, target multiple behaviors and situations, change individual-level and collective norms, deploy diverse sources of norms, and strengthen positive norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is part of a broader investigation on the functioning, management and regulation of illegal markets in Caracas, understanding as such not only those in which prohibited goods are traded, but also, as in the case of street prostitution, those that cannot access legal mechanisms of regulation and conflict resolution. Based on an ethnographic research of more than a year's duration in two contiguous but distinct contexts of street prostitution, one more central and crowded and the other in a more peripheral and hidden street, we compare illicit practices, patterns of violence and, above all, mechanisms of regulation and governance. In the more peripheral plaza, episodes of violence, including sexual violence and aggression among sex workers themselves, are more common, as well as illicit or deviant activities, such as robberies, the sale and consumption of narcotics, and prostitution of adolescents and girls. Regulation relies on coalitions, individual responses or a figure of "patronage" (the "mothers") in which older prostitutes lead and protect groups of young prostitutes in exchange for gifts. In contrast, in the more buoyant plaza, where more centralized and sophisticated control mechanisms are operated by a group of women prostitutes and former prostitutes (with the support of trans prostitutes) and in partnership with the police, violence, conflicts and infractions are significantly less frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conceptions or ideas that couples hold about sexual consent could be a key factor in their communication, mutual respect, and the prevention of sexual violence. The multifaceted nature of sexual consent makes it a complex concept. The aim of the present study was to explore individuals' ideas and understanding of sexual intercourse in two distinct contexts: consensual and non-consensual. We used a qualitative approach, adopting the methodology of thematic analysis. In total, 113 surveys obtained from the general population (76.1% women and 23.9% men aged 18 to 59 years) were studied. Two open-ended questions were asked about the general topic of sexual consent, where we distinguished sexual activity in which there is sexual consent vs. no consent. The phases of the thematic analysis approach were applied. For the consensual context, the following themes emerged: mutual reciprocity and respect; open, clear communication and agreements; and awareness and emotional well-being. For the non-consensual context, the following themes emerged: violence and sexual assault, absence and ambiguity of sexual consent, and lack of communication. All of these aspects should be considered in couples' communication and sexual education to facilitate and improve sexual relationships and, in turn, prevent violence and sexual aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms underlying sexual aggression perpetration is critical for the development of targeted, evidence-based prevention. The current study evaluates the effects of state emotion regulation (ER), acute alcohol intoxication, and Confluence Model constructs on sexual aggression perpetration intentions. Single, male social drinkers, aged 21–30 years, with a history of sexual risk-taking (N = 90) were randomly assigned to an alcohol (BrAC = 0.1%) or sober control condition and completed measures of hypothetical sexual aggression intentions, state ER, and Confluence Model constructs. Logistic regression demonstrated men high in hostile masculinity expressed significantly greater sexual aggression intentions. In addition, men with poor state ER endorsed significantly greater sexual aggression intentions, although this relationship only held for the men in the sober condition. Results suggest that interventions targeting state ER may be beneficial to sexual aggression perpetration prevention programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several researchers have found that men who have committed sexual aggression have inadequate coping strategies (e.g., paraphilic sexual fantasies, substance abuse). However, very few researchers have empirically examined the factors potentially associated with the development of these strategies. In 2011, Maniglio hypothesized that the inadequate coping strategies of men who have committed sexual aggression are the result of childhood victimization, mediated by internalized psychological problems. The present study therefore empirically tested this hypothesis in a Canadian sample of 205 men who had committed sexual aggression against women, of whom 37 committed sexual murder. Structural equation modeling (SEM) resulted in the identification of several direct and indirect trajectories leading from childhood victimization (psychological, physical, sexual) to the development of inadequate coping strategies (paraphilic sexual fantasies, alcohol and drug use) mediated by internalized psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, social isolation). The theoretical and clinical implications of these developmental trajectories are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1980s was marked by the emergence of new cinematic forms in Turkey, including films concerning issues related to various forms of women's oppression involving sexual objectification, rape, and subordination. Through a close textual analysis, this article discusses how the 1982 film Iffet attempts to create a rape–revenge story, romanticizing sexual aggression against women through hysterization of the protagonist. This study examines the film's representation of the concepts of patriarchy, honor, virginity, and hegemonic masculinity within Turkey's socio-political atmosphere in the 1980s. Mulvey's feminist film theory and Brownmiller's description of rape myths were used for the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With respect to the article by Koukis (2024) the author questions important points concerning self-exclusion, working through, external group events, boundary incidents and bodily experience. He concludes that it is necessary to restore boundaries and facilitate the therapeutic space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External female genital mutilation (EFGM) is the strategy employed by male spiders to ensure paternity during sexual conflict over female remating. Three orb-web spider species have been identified to engage in EFGM, wherein males remove the female's genital scape, which is crucial for successful genital coupling. Mutilated females lose their remating ability. Despite the apparent fitness advantage of mutilator males over non-mutilators, mutilation success rates vary across these species. The extent to which females engage in aggression and sexual cannibalism as potential countermeasures against EFGM is also variable. In this study, two consecutive staged matings were conducted in Cyclosa confusa and C. vallata spiders to determine the rate of successful mutilation and the influence of sexual cannibalism and female aggression. Both species exhibited low rates of sexual cannibalism and female aggression. While most matings involving unmated C. vallata females resulted in successful mutilation, one-third of C. confusa females retained an intact scape after mating. Additionally, mutilation rates in C. confusa increased with male size and weight and decreased with female weight. In contrast to previous studies on other species, our results revealed low mutilation success with low sexual cannibalism and female aggression in C. confusa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is a considerable body of literature on sexual aggression, we know much less about the violation of sexual boundaries within professional relationships. To address this knowledge gap, the characteristics of cases of sexual misconduct in the province of Quebec were extracted, based on a search of published disciplinary decisions between 1998 and 2020, using the legal databases CANLII and SOQUIJ. The search yielded 296 decisions including 249 male and 47 female members from 22 professional orders, and involving 470 victims. Results indicate that male professionals approaching mid-career accounted for a greater proportion of cases of sexual misconduct. Moreover, physical and mental health professionals were overrepresented in cases, as were female adult victims. Acts of sexual misconduct concerned mostly sexual touching and intercourse and occurred during consultations. Female professionals were more inclined to establish romantic and sexual relationships with clients than their male counterparts. Of the 92.0% of professionals found guilty of at least one count of sexual misconduct, two thirds eventually returned to practice. Following the guilty verdict, few faced rehabilitative measures. Recommendations are provided for the prevention of sexual recidivism and the accompaniment of victims of sexual misconduct throughout the disciplinary process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myths of sexual aggression have a negative influence in aggressive behavior against women, in the institutional approaches to sexual violence and in how women cope with it. The objective of this study is to describe acceptance of myths of sexual aggression in young women and men residing in Spain. Method: Cross-sectional study carried out online with 2,515 women (50.2%) and men (49.8%) ages 18–35 in Spain in 2020. Information on myths was collected using the Acceptance of Modern Myths About Sexual Aggression Scale (AMMSA). We described the myths most prevalent among women and men. The variables associated with myths were identified using multiple regression. The regression models were adjusted by sociodemographic and sexual orientation variables. Results: The average AMMSA values were higher among men [mean: 3.11; standard deviation (sd):1.23] than among women (mean 2.49 sd:1.11). In both sexes, the myths with greater acceptance showed the presence of patriarchal gender roles in sexual contacts. Men were more likely than women to accept myths that question allegations and severity of violence. Having a higher level of educational studies (β -0.350 sd: 0.046) was associated with lower average AMMSA values. Being born in Latin America (β 0.047 sd: 0.063) was associated with higher average AMMSA values. Among heterosexual men, AMMSA values were greater than among gay and bisexual men. Among women, there was no difference in average AMMSA values based on sexual orientation. Conclusions: Myths persist during youth that question and trivialize sexual violence against women. It is necessary to implement strategies that reduce these myths, particularly in heterosexual men, in those of foreign-born origin and among those with low levels of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This work sought to assess relationships between sexually aggressive behavior occurring through the use of technology and social media, perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior, and face-to-face sexual aggression and coercion. Participants: Participants were 663 undergraduate students (73.1% Female). Methods: Participants completed measures assessing perceived social norms of sexually aggressive strategies, personal sexual strategies used, alcohol use, cyberbullying, sexual victimization, personal wellbeing, and socially desirable responding. Results: Thirty percent of participants reported engaging in some form of sexually aggressive behavior offline; 15.6% endorsed engaging in sexual cyberbullying. However, 100% of participants endorsed the belief that their peers were engaging in some form of sexually aggressive behavior either online or offline. Conditional process modeling revealed a significant indirect effect of perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior on face-to-face sexual aggression via sexual cyberbullying (b =.0015, p <.001, 95% CI [.0030,.0110]), indicating mediation. Conclusions: The present work highlights the importance of further research in the domain of sexual cyberbullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence (TFSV) has been a permanent concern in contemporary society. This study aims to provide a global understanding of the TFSV phenomenon in Portuguese context. Using quantitative analyses, the rate and prevalence of victimization, victim characteristics, and technology use were examined. An online questionnaire was completed by 500 people (75.8% female) aged 18–70, mostly cisgender (96.2%), and heterosexual (85.8%). The main results point to a high victimization global rate (72%) as well as in the last 12 months (70.8%). There were no significant differences between the sexes except in sexual aggression/coercion, with more females suffering the more severe type of TFSV. However, the gendering of TFSV emerges with specific behaviors. Females tend to be more sexually harassed, only females report non-consensual sexual experiences with someone they met online, and males tend to report receiving offensive content about their gender/sexuality. Younger people tend to report a higher rate of victimization. The regression model with only victim characteristics is more predictive of TFSV victimization, with younger and heterosexual victims as significant predictors. This study argues that the culture of harassment is deeply rooted and finds an easy way to be disseminated in the digital world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the characteristics of youths convicted of sexual crimes (YSC) and youths convicted of non-sexual crimes (YNSC) to create an inclusive typology of clinical characteristics associated with sexual and general delinquency. The sample consisted of 391 justice-involved male youths aged 14–20. Participants completed either the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression (MASA) or the Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Aggression (MIDSA). Four profiles were identified based on a three-step latent profile analysis (LPA): Normal/Neurotic Delinquents, Macho Delinquents, Sexualised Delinquents, and Psychopathic Sexualised Delinquents. The youths in these profiles differed in the nature and intensity of their clinical characteristics and the incidence of their sexual and non-sexual delinquency. The distribution of YSCs and YNSCs across the four profiles shows that these are not completely distinct populations. Although two profiles in the typology comprised mainly YSCs, YNSCs were present in all profiles. This highlights the importance of rejecting the idea of one-size-fits-all treatment for these youth. The study also highlights the importance of basing treatment on the clinical characteristics and needs of justice-involved youth rather than on their index offence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Scottish verdict system includes three verdicts: 'guilty', 'not guilty' and 'not proven'. Politicians propose that the three-verdict system is partially to blame for the low conviction rate of rape, whereas research suggests that rape myths may be having a larger impact. To test the effects of varying verdict systems (guilty, not guilty and not proven; guilty and not guilty; a series of proven and not proven verdicts) and rape myths on juror verdicts. A total of 180 participants answered questions regarding their acceptance of rape myths using the Acceptance of Modern Myth and Sexual Aggression (AMMSA) scale. They then watched a staged rape trial filmed in a real courtroom and reached a verdict. Participants also provided longer-form answers on which thematical analysis was conducted. The main findings are as follows: (1) The special verdict system leads to a higher conviction rate than the other systems when rape myth acceptance is controlled for. (2) The higher the rape myth acceptance, the more favourably the accused was perceived and the less favourably the complainer was perceived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite extensive research on the link between pornography exposure and sexual aggression, inconsistent results have hindered consensus on the association. To help resolve inconsistencies and advance the field of knowledge, the present study conducted a latent profile analysis to identify common patterns of pornography exposure and to examine their associations with sexual aggression and its risk factors. Method: A total of 491 men in the United States completed assessments of six pornography exposure profile indicators (i.e., frequency of pornography exposure, duration of typical pornography exposure, and exposure to pictures, sex films, degrading films, and violent films) and six outcome variables (i.e., sexual aggression, rape myth acceptance, hostile masculinity, casual sex, psychopathy, and emotion regulation difficulties). Results: The analysis identified three profiles: "infrequent pornography viewers" (n = 113), "average pornography viewers" (n = 302), and "violent pornography viewers" (n = 76). Compared to the infrequent pornography viewers and average pornography viewers profiles, the violent pornography viewers profile had significantly higher means for each outcome variable (ps <.05). Significant differences between the infrequent pornography viewers and average pornography viewers profiles were found for casual sex and difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior (ps <.05), but not the other outcome variables. Conclusions: Findings provided further insight into the association between pornography and sexual aggression in a way that cannot be observed using a variable-centered approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Background: Sexual aggression and rape is one of the most challenging concepts in the current era; so the aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of The Acceptance of Modern Myths about Sexual Aggression (AMMSA) Scale in the Iranian population. For this purpose, factor structure, validity and reliability of the scale was examined. Methods and Materials: A sample group of 937 Iranian people living in Iran who were between 20 and 50 years old, were selected by convenience sampling method; Then they completed the scale of The Acceptance of Modern Myths about Sexual Aggression. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the factor structure of the scale, Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the validity, and Cronbach's alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the components of this scale. Intra-class correlation coefficient was also used to evaluate the reliability of the retest. Findings: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the AMMSA scale has an acceptable factor structure. Cronbach's alpha coefficients obtained from all components (above 0.9) also showed that this scale has a good internal consistency and also the correlation coefficients of Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) confirmed divergent and convergent validity of the scale, respectively (P

Japanese and Canadian laws regarding sexual assault vary in the degree to which they incorporate the concept of sexual consent, with Japanese law being less consent-oriented than Canadian law. Although the Japanese law has incorporated the concept of sexual consent in the 2023 amendment, the public understanding of the concept is still limited. Reflecting such difference, it could be expected that the general public in both countries also differ in their perceptions and attitudes regarding punishment of sexual crime and sexual consent. The present study aimed to test these expectations and further examine the mediational mechanism that explains the national difference between Japan and Canada. The data from 1125 Japanese and 1125 Canadian respondents showed that Japanese respondents were less likely to perceive the imposition of punishment on an alleged perpetrator described in scenarios as appropriate. In contrast, the difference in the perceived victim's consent was significant only in three out of seven scenarios. The relation between nations (Japan vs. Canada) and perceived appropriateness of punishment was mediated by the perceived victim's consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prior research has rarely focused on sexual motives (e.g., motives for having sex) when studying sexual violence perpetration prevention. The current study examined the role of sexual motives alongside other risk factors like alcohol expectancies in predicting sexual violence. Method: We analyzed data from 205 male college students; 36% reported sexual perpetration of some type. Participants completed a series of questionnaires in a randomized order, including: measures of prior sexual perpetration, sexual motives, rape myth acceptance, alcohol expectancies, and a measure of social desirability. Data were analyzed using a series of T-tests and logistic regressions. Results: With one exception (coping motives), all sexual motives (intimacy, enhancement, self-affirmation, peer approval, and partner approval) were endorsed at higher levels by individuals who perpetrated sexual violence than those who did not (p <.05, Cohen's d =.25–.56). The partner approval motive significantly predicted sexual violence perpetration on its own. The enhancement motive, both independently and in interaction with alcohol expectancies for aggression, predicted sexual violence perpetration. Two other motives, intimacy and self-affirmation, were only significant in interaction with alcohol expectancies for aggression. Conclusion: All sexual motives were endorsed more frequently by those who perpetrated sexual violence than those who did not. Sexual motives had a complex interaction with alcohol expectancies in predicting sexual violence perpetration. The results suggest that intervention programs should emphasize healthy, consensual sexual relationships that do not involve alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the association between psychopathic traits and release suitability decisions and examined the role of Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and Static-99 in predicting general and sexual recidivism. The sample included 207 adult male sex offenders involved in the long-term follow-up at the Massachusetts Treatment Center for Sexually Dangerous Persons (MTC) in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Contrary to our expectations, PCL-R Factor 2 (Lifestyle/Antisocial) scores were positively associated with being selected for gradual release, whereas PCL-R Factor 1 (Interpersonal/Affective) scores were not related to parole boards' decisions. Additionally, the interaction between the two factors was a significant predictor, suggesting that the individuals with more pronounced Factor 1 traits were less likely to be released when their Factor 2 scores were high as well. Although Static-99 scores predicted both contact and non-contact sexual recidivism, psychopathy was not related to reoffending, possibly because offenders with child victims were over-represented in the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of eHumanista is the property of Professor Antonio Cortijo-Ocana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Though contemporary evidence suggests that upwards of one-in-nine UK male university students engage in sexually violent behaviors (Hales and Gannon in Sexual Abuse 34:744–770, 2022), few evidence-based primary prevention strategies have been developed to prevent their perpetration. To help contribute to this evidence gap, this study evaluated the short and longer-term effectiveness of a novel psychoeducation-based online self-help intervention for university male sexual aggression called The Pathways Programme. Designed around current empirical understanding of university-based sexual harm in the UK, the program contains six modules that correspond with known risk factors for perpetration. Data were collected as part of a randomized control trial from 254 self-identified heterosexual male students enrolled at a UK university who reported a proclivity towards sexual aggression. Results showed that participants who took part in the program displayed moderate reductions in their self-perceived likelihood of sexual aggression (our primary treatment target) across testing points, as well as reductions in their self-reported levels of hostility towards women, rape myth acceptance, and problematic sexual fantasies (our secondary treatment targets). Control participants also displayed reductions in some domains over time, albeit to a lesser degree. Additional analyses probed the factors associated with participant drop-out, clinical and reliable change, and user feedback. Overall, our study provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of The Pathways Programme at reducing UK university males' risk of sexual aggression; however, we caution readers that more robust evaluation is necessary to support intervention rollout. We discuss our findings alongside the limitations of our study and provide suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to delve deeper into sexual assault crimes by testing two criminological theories (the situational action theory and the revised confluence model). Method: a questionnaire with scales of low morality, low self-control, impersonal sex, hostile sexism, sexually aggressive behaviors, and other demographic data, was administered online to 328 heterosexual men living in Spain. Findings: two pathways to sexual aggression have been found: a) from low self-control, and b) from low morality and a tendency towards impersonal sex. Conclusion: these mechanisms suggest prevention based on education in adolescence: a) of moral rules and emotions; b) for the development of the social ability to exercise selfcontrol; and c) to know the limit of impersonal sex: consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research indicates that aggressive sexual fantasies (ASF) are related to sexual aggression, above and beyond other risk factors for this behavior. There have, however, rarely been explicitly considered in multifactor models aiming to explain sexual aggression. One exception is the multifactorial Revised Confluence Model of Sexual Aggression that was replicated in two samples of male individuals who were convicted of sexual offenses and a small sample of men from the general population and evidenced a high relevance of ASF, respectively. There were, however, no further attempts to replicate the model in larger samples from the general population. We, therefore, used a subsample from the Finnish Genetics of Sexuality and Aggression project including 3269 men (age: M = 26.17 years, SD = 4.76) to do so. Cross-sectional latent structural equation models corroborated previous research and the assumption that ASF are a central component in multifactor models that aim to explain sexual aggression: ASF and antisocial behavior/aggression were equally important associates of sexual coercion when also considering adverse childhood experiences, hypersexuality, and callous-unemotional traits. Additionally, ASF mediated the links between hypersexuality, callous-unemotional traits, as well as childhood sexual abuse and sexual coercion. These links held stable when entering further risk factors, that is, distorted perceptions, rape-supportive attitudes, and violent pornography consumption into the model. Contrasting assumptions, alcohol consumption and antisocial behavior/aggression did not interact. These results illustrate the potential importance of ASF for sexual aggression. They indicate that ASF require consideration by research on sexual aggression as well as in the treatment and risk assessment of sexual perpetrators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite research showing that many college men and women have experienced misperception of their friendliness as sexual intent, such research has focused on this type of misperception only as a correlate of men's sexual aggression. In fact, regardless of methodology used many researchers seem to suggest women do not misperceive men's sexual intent, and in some instances may actually under-perceive it. We used a hypothetical scenario to determine whether men (n = 324) and women (n = 689) college students perceived similar sexual intent from a character who is not the same gender as they are, as depicted in a story about a man and woman on a "date." Our results revealed that men and women in our sample reported similar levels of perceived sexual intent on the part of the character with a different gender as described in the scenario, even after that character clearly indicated to the partner that they "think they do not want to have sex." In addition, the perceived level of the character's sexual intent as solicited in response to this scenario design was related to sexual coercion intentions among both men and women (though it appears more strongly related among men), and these relationships remained even after controlling for other known correlates of sexual coercion (e.g., rape myth acceptance, level of sexual arousal). Implications for the study of misperception and its origins are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to characterise the prevalence of violence in intimate relationships among young university students and the internalisation of ambivalent sexism. The method used was a quantitative, descriptive study of Primary Education and Early Childhood Education groups in Andalusia, Spain. The final sample consisted of 848 participants. As a data collection tool, we used the VIREPA questionnaire and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory. The results show that the most frequent forms of violence in young couples' relationships are emotional, followed by physical and sexual violence, and emotional violence, followed by physical and psychological violence, with sexual aggression being slightly lower. Concerning the variable sex, although the averages are very close, women have higher averages in terms of emotional, physical, and psychological abuse; personal devaluation; and sexual abuse, while men have higher averages in terms of social and economic control. In addition, low levels of sexism were found to be ambivalent in the sample, with the results being highly differentiated by gender, with men having higher arithmetic means than women. This led us to design educational strategies that avoid inequalities between men and women and that contribute to the eradication of sexism and, consequently, the perpetration of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined reliability of self-reports of sexual aggression (SA) perpetration and victimisation in ongoing college relationships (n = 638), comparing confidential online self-reports at Time 1 with self-reports under a lab-based bogus pipeline condition at Time 2. High rates of SA victimisation were reported; 46% of women and 47% of men indicated their current partner had been sexually aggressive. However, SA victimisation was associated with fear of one's partner among women only. These data suggest young men and women may tolerate some SA by their romantic partners. This may not be evident in research that fails to assess the relationship context, as individuals otherwise may not view SA enacted by a current partner as victimisation. The most consistent reporting was among women, in self-reporting their SA perpetration. The least consistent reporting was among men, in their self-reports of their SA victimisation. Both genders tended to underreport their SA victimisation. Men and women with lenient attitudes towards SA were the least reliable reporters of their SA perpetration, and men with antisocial traits responded in a way that suggests possible overreporting of SA victimisation in this group. Practice impact statement This study highlights the strikingly high rate of sexually aggressive experiences in young adult relationships. It also discusses gender differences in fear of a sexually aggressive partner and in the reliability of self-reports of sexual aggression and identifies traits associated with reliable versus unreliable reporting of sexual aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the concept of non-collaborative sex, particularly in cases involving alcohol and young adults, and argues that current tort law fails to adequately address these situations. It proposes the use of the concept of collaborative sex to distinguish between consensual and non-consensual encounters and suggests that tort law should consider negligence or strict liability for cases of impaired, non-collaborative sex. The article also discusses the need for a new vocabulary to discuss sexual wrongdoing and challenges the transactional model of sex based on consent. It highlights the role of cognition and communication in sexual encounters and the influence of tort decision-makers on community norms. The article suggests that rules prioritizing individual freedom may perpetuate gender norms and argues for a model of mutual care and communication in sexual encounters. It also discusses the historical context of sexual injuries and the failure of tort law to address non-collaborative sex. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding cognitive failures and communication mismatches to address potentially harmful sexual encounters. It acknowledges that consensual and non-consensual encounters can occur when both partners are intoxicated and highlights the tendency to blame women for non-collaborative sex encounters while excusing men's responsibility. The article suggests that the legal and cultural understanding of non-collaborative sex needs to be reevaluated and proposes different categorizations for these encounters. It discusses the Restatement of Tort and its treatment of non-consensual sexual behavior, highlighting its limitations and suggesting negligence and strict liability as more appropriate frameworks. The [Extracted from the article]

Rape-related cognitions (typically defined as encompassing any number of cognitive constructs) are thought to play a role in sexual aggression. However, rape-related cognition scales often assess these cognitive constructs as one. The purpose of this study is to explore the factor structure of these measures using a sample of 191 community men. We found that items from the Rape Myth Acceptance, RAPE, and Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance (IRMA) scales formed one factor, which was significantly related to sexual aggression. We further found that four and six IRMA subscales were significantly related to past and likelihood of sexual aggression, respectively. Additionally, one IRMA subscale was independently related to past and likelihood of sexual aggression. The results are discussed in terms of implications and direction for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research tested Confluence Model reasoning that pornography use should be related to sexual aggression among men who are high but not low in the predisposing risk factors of hostile masculinity (HM) and impersonal sexuality (IS). This hypothesis was examined with three online surveys of young adult males, including an American Mechanical Turk sample (N1 = 1,528, Mage= 22.46 years); a national sample of Canadian students (N2 = 1,049, Mage= 20.89 years); and a national sample of Canadian non-students (N3 = 905, Mage= 21.66 years). As expected, synergistic interactions between HM and IS reliably predicted self-reported sexual aggression across samples. Results with respect to interactions with pornography use were more complex. The Confluence Model hypothesis was supported when pornography use was operationalized as the use of nine specific magazines but it was not supported when pornography use was operationalized with a contemporary inclusive approach that included use of internet materials. These discrepant findings are difficult to account for with Confluence Model theorizing and highlight the non-equivalence of pornography use measures in survey research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study analyzed the Virtual-PRO program's efficacy in preventing peer sexual harassment by promoting the bystanders' active intervention and incorporating a virtual reality (VR) component. The impact of the program on sexist attitudes, moral disengagement, the intention to intervene as bystanders, and the involvement in sexual aggression and victimization was tested. Method: Virtual-PRO is a VR-enhanced sexual harassment curricular prevention program of six one-hour sessions. The evaluation comprised a pre-test, a post-test after the intervention, and a follow-up measure at three months. In the study, 579 Spanish adolescent students aged between 12 and 17 years (M = 14.76, SD = 0.88; 47.1% boys) were randomly grouped into experimental (n = 286) and control (n = 293) conditions. Results: The Virtual-PRO program effectively controlled participants' levels of sexism and reduced moral disengagement in the experimental group compared to the control group three months after the intervention. The program also showed positive results in changing bystander behavior, increasing the intention to intervene when the victim was not a friend. Finally, visual/verbal and online victimization decreased in the experimental group and increased in the control group. No differences were found for physical sexual victimization and sexual aggression. Conclusions: The first trial of the Virtual-PRO program is promising and highlights the use of VR as a sexual harassment prevention tool. Follow-up measures are essential to determine the impact of interventions accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are specific treatment programs in prisons for those convicted of sexually assaulting minors; however, those who also have pedophilia require specific attention. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to offer a specific intervention proposal for pedophilia in the prison setting based on the available scientific evidence, and complementary to the Sexual Assault Control Program, and second, to justify this proposal through the case of an inmate with pedophilia. Specifically, we propose an individual intervention focused on people with pedophilia; working on low self-esteem, assessing suicidal ideation, and restructuring cognitive distortions with minors, facilitating the creation of functional personal relationships with adults, assessing past polyvictimization and its possible influence on subsequent sexual behavior, providing inmates with psychoeducation on pedophilia; specifically addressing sexual fantasies with minors, avoiding dissexual behavior, and eliminating the consumption of abusive material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peu d'études ont recherché de manière systématique des antécédents de violences sexuelles chez des adolescents présentant des troubles psychiatriques sévères et hospitalisés en pédopsychiatrie. Nous présentons ici les résultats d'une étude rétrospective menée sur les dossiers de l'ensemble des adolescents hospitalisés dans un service de pédopsychiatrie du département de la Seine Saint-Denis entre 2017 et 2021. L'objectif de l'étude était de rechercher la fréquence des Antécédents d'Agression Sexuelle (AAS) chez les adolescents hospitalisés en service de pédopsychiatrie et de tenter de décrire des liens chronologiques et symptomatologiques entre ces antécédents et l'hospitalisation en pédopsychiatrie, dans le but de proposer d'éventuelles recommandations de dépistage et de prise en charge. Nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective basée sur l'analyse des dossiers médicaux des 141 adolescents hospitalisés dans un service de pédopsychiatrie entre 2017 et 2021. En rappelant l'épidémiologie des agressions sexuelles dans l'enfance et l'adolescence (fréquente, concernant garçons et filles, dans un tiers des cas intrafamiliale, et dans environ la moitié des situations non crue et non-accompagnée) notre étude souligne l'importance de leur dépistage par les médecins et les soignants. La prévalence significativement plus importante des tentatives de suicide et des automutilations doit particulièrement attirer l'attention sur le risque d'antécédents d'agression sexuelle, car ces symptômes sont fortement associés dans notre étude. La prévalence significativement plus importante des dépressions et des troubles de personnalité limite peut permettre d'aller vers une meilleure compréhension des répercussions des agressions sexuelles à l'adolescence. Le délai court entre l'agression sexuelle et sa révélation dans notre observation et les révélations d'agressions sexuelles intra familiales majoritairement faites durant l'hospitalisation soulignent l'intérêt d'une hospitalisation systématique des adolescents, notamment après une tentative de suicide. Le cadre rassurant d'une hospitalisation peut favoriser une révélation d'agression sexuelle plus rapide et ainsi en diminuer les effets psychiques dévastateurs à l'adolescence. Une faiblesse potentielle de notre étude est que, même dans un service spécialisé, de tels antécédents sont encore probablement sous-évalués et insuffisamment notés dans les dossiers médicaux. Une attention accrue est certainement nécessaire lors des entretiens pédopsychiatriques sur d'éventuels antécédent d'agressions sexuelles. Néanmoins, la rareté des études systématiques sur le sujet fait que cette étude ouvre la voie à la réalisation d'études prospectives. Des recommandations peuvent être proposées, également pour des situations moins graves, sans troubles psychiatriques avérés, mais suite à une tentative de suicide. L'hospitalisation peut alors se dérouler en service de pédiatrie avec un accompagnement psychologique adapté et non en service de pédopsychiatrie. Quel que soit le lieu de prise en charge psychologique des adolescents ayant fait une tentative de suicide, l'attention sur les antécédents d'agression sexuelle doit être améliorée afin de les repérer au plus tôt, d'effectuer une prévention secondaire et d'éviter une dégradation psychique du processus adolescent qui s'en trouve fragilisé. Few studies have systematically searched for a history of sexual violence in adolescents with severe psychiatric disorders hospitalized in departments of child psychiatry. Here, we present the results of a retrospective study conducted on the records of all adolescents hospitalized in a child psychiatry department in the Seine Saint-Denis department between 2017 and 2021. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of Antecedents of Sexual Aggression (AAS) in adolescents hospitalized in child psychiatry departments and to attempt to describe chronological and symptomatological links between these antecedents and hospitalization in child psychiatry, with the aim of proposing possible screening and management recommendations. We conducted a retrospective study based on analysis of the medical records of 141 adolescents hospitalized in a child psychiatry department between 2017 and 2021. By recalling the epidemiology of sexual aggression in childhood and adolescence (frequent, involving both boys and girls, in a third of cases intrafamilial, and in about half of the situations uncrushed and unaccompanied) our study underlines the importance of their detection by physicians and caregivers. The significantly higher prevalence of suicide attempts and self-harm should draw particular attention to the risk of a history of sexual assault, as these symptoms are strongly associated in our study. The significantly higher prevalence of depression and borderline personality disorder may provide a better understanding of the repercussions of sexual assault in adolescence. The short delay between the sexual assault and its disclosure in our observation, and the fact that most disclosures of intra-family sexual assaults were made during hospitalization, underline the value of systematic hospitalization of adolescents, particularly after a suicide attempt. The reassuring environment of hospitalization may encourage a more rapid disclosure of sexual assault, and thus lessen its devastating psychic effects during adolescence. A potential weakness of our study is that, even in a specialized service, such antecedents are probably still undervalued and insufficiently noted in medical records. More attention should certainly be paid during child psychiatric interviews to any history of sexual assault. Nevertheless, given the scarcity of systematic studies on the subject, this study paves the way for prospective studies. Recommendations can also be made for less serious situations, with no proven psychiatric disorders, but following a suicide attempt. In such cases, the patient could be hospitalized in a pediatric ward, with appropriate psychological support, rather than in a child psychiatry ward. Regardless of where adolescents who have attempted suicide are psychologically cared for, greater attention needs to be paid to any history of sexual aggression, so as to identify it as early as possible, provide secondary prevention and avoid the psychic deterioration of the adolescent process which would be weakened as a result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the current study were twofold: (1) to identify factors that distinguish men who commit sadistic sexual aggression from those who do not; and (2) to investigate the developmental trajectories leading to sexual sadism. The study sample was composed of 206 men who had committed sexual aggression against women (69 men who had committed sadistic sexual aggression; 137 men who had committed nonsadistic sexual aggression), all of whom were incarcerated in Quebec (Canada). The Severe Sexual Sadism Scale (SESAS), an empirically validated instrument, was used to characterize the participants. Bivariate (χ2) analyses were performed. Our results revealed that men who had committed sadistic sexual aggression against women differed from others in several respects, notably developmental (e.g., emotional and physical abuse), psychological (e.g., avoidant and narcissistic personality profiles), sexological (e.g., deviant sexual fantasies), and criminological (e.g., a structured modus operandi, use of a weapon, anal penetration). Structural equation modeling analysis identified a developmental trajectory leading to the commission of sadistic sexual aggression. Theoretical and clinical implications of our results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Peer influences may play a maintaining or contributing role in alcohol-related sexually aggressive behavior (SAB) in undergraduates. Undergraduate men substantially overperceive their peers' SAB-related attitudes and behaviors (i.e., show substantial misperception of SAB-related social norms). Moreover, men at high risk of perpetrating SAB often show greater overestimation than lower risk peers. The current work provides a comprehensive description of SAB-related social norms within a large sample of undergraduates, examining five novel normative misperceptions associated with alcohol-related SAB, and evaluating relations between social norms and self-reported histories of both contact and noncontact SAB. Method: Undergraduate men (n = 567) endorsing attraction to women from two large state universities in different regions of the United States responded to questions about sexual attitudes, behaviors, and proclivities. They completed these measures twice: once from their own perspective and then from the perspective of the typical college male (TCM). Results: Students showed large overestimation of peers' general and alcohol-specific attitudes and behaviors. Many self and normative perceptions were also significantly related to a self-reported history of noncontact or contact SAB. Conclusions: Relative to self-ratings, TCM ratings were overestimated for all assessed constructs and thus represent targets of future prevention efforts. Men who reported an SAB history often showed more marked misperceptions, speaking to the potential utility of providing corrective normative feedback to these undergraduates in future work. Future prevention efforts may benefit from providing personalized normative feedback to undergraduates, and particularly high-risk students, about the accuracy of their peer perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papeles del Psicólogo is the property of Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Psicologos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)