Author:
Vaskinn Anja, ,Muri Karianne, ,
Abstract
Sexual contact between humans and animals is known from early times, but the
prevalence remains unknown. Research on individuals who have sexual contact with animals
has largely been conducted on individuals who are incarcerated or who are recruited from
the internet and who consider themselves zoophiles. This paper is a synopsis of some of
the available literature from the perspectives of law, veterinary science and
psychology. Whether human beings who conduct sexual acts with animals are at increased
risk of interpersonal violence is discussed. Some claim that zoophilia may be a sexual
orientation and that sexual contact should be tolerated as long as the animal does not
suffer. Others stress that sexual contact with animals is always wrong because it
involves coercion, violates the rights of others, and because the animal cannot provide
genuine consent or report abuse. This lack of consent is paramount to current
psychiatric classifications of zoophilia. Reporting of animal abuse is one of the
exceptions to health professionals’ duty of confidentiality.
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