Use of Pornography in the Criminal and Developmental Histories of Sexual Offenders

Abstract

The present study examined exposure to and use of pornography in the familial, developmental and criminal histories of 38 rapists and 26 child molesters incarcerated at the Massachusetts Treatment Center. While both groups reported similar exposure to pornography in the home and during development, child molesters indicated significantly more exposure than rapists in adulthood and were significantly more likely both to use such materials prior to and during their offenses and to employ pornography to relieve an impulse to act out. The findings are discussed with regards to the “catharsis hypothesis” and the role of pornography in the commission of sexual offenses for certain types of rapists and child molesters.