The Role of Criminal Fantasy in Predatory and Opportunist Sex Offending

Abstract

This study examined the role of criminal fantasy in premeditated and repetitive sex offending. Forty-eight males participated in two experimental groups, predatory sex offenders and opportunist sex offenders, and two control groups, non-sex offenders and a group of non-offenders living in the community. The offenders were Special Hospital patients. All participants completed a measure of impulsivity and a task designed to elicit criminal fantasies. The findings confirmed the hypotheses that, compared to opportunist sex offenders, predatory sex offenders were significantly more organized and elaborate in their criminal fantasies and more likely to report that the crimes were planned. There were no between-group differences on a measure of impulsivity. In line with previous research, it is suggested that fantasy provides a forum for prior rehearsal of repetitive and premeditated sex offenses.