The sexual crime is perhaps the most rejected criminal modality in our society. Defenseless or weak victims such as children or women suffer a violation and transgression of the most intimate aspect of the person, taking them to the most despicable and undeserved psychological torture .

  • “14-year-old Indian girl sets herself on fire after being gang-raped” ABC; 22/05/2015.
  • “Actor Stephen Collins confesses to child sexual abuse” LA VANGUARDIA; 23/04/2015.
  • “Jail for an elderly man for sexually abusing his partner’s granddaughter, aged eight” Antenna 3 news; 15/04/2015.
  • “A teacher accused of abusing seven minors arrested” EL PAĂŤS; 12/03/2015.
  • “A man accused of abusing and impregnating a child: ‘I was in love’.” THE WORLD; 02/19/2015.
  • “Mike Tyson confesses to being sexually abused at age seven.” News Four; 02/11/2014.

These news headlines are only a brief overview of the many sexual abuses committed against children. According to Noguerol (2005), reported cases are only one sixth of all existing cases . But really, how many aggressions and/or sexual abuse of minors does our society suffer; what is pedophilia, what are its characteristics and typologies; and is there a psychopathological profile for the pedophile?

Epidemiological data: sexual assaults on children (pedophilia and pederasty)

It is alarming when professionals refer to epidemiological data. In 1998, in Valencia, a European seminar “Breaking Silences” was held where it was concluded that 23% of girls and 15% of boys in Spain suffer various types of sexual abuse ; of these only 40% receive help. Between 7 and 13 years old is the most frequent age; and between 25 and 35% are less than 7 years old. For every minor child victim of sexual abuse, there are 3 girl victims (Vázquez, 2004).

As with many other problems, we experience sexual abuse and assault as if it would never happen to us or to those close to us. But as statistics show, child sexual abuse is a criminal act that, while quite common, is mostly invisible. This means that it goes unreported and sometimes unrevealed to other person(s).

The relevance of addressing this issue is not only marked by the degrading and humiliating act, but by its short, medium and long-term consequences. Variable consequences on each person, also as differences between crimes. We are talking about modality (like the typologies mentioned in the article), duration of the act or of the facts, degree of seriousness, the person who abuses (known, relative, figure of authority or trust, unknown), vulnerability of the victim… A series of variables that converge from the moment of the facts to the past will lead the victims of very serious abuse to overcome it or not, as well as the existence of cases of slight abuse that are internalised.

Thus, each sexual abuse can cause a series of sexual and affective traumas that interfere and will interfere harmfully throughout the victim’s life. (In the video attached at the end of the article, we can come closer to understanding some of the traumas suffered by victims of sexual abuse during childhood).

Psychopathological profile of the personality of the paedophile

Approach to the concept, characteristics and types of paedophile acts

Pedophilia is a paraphilia , where the adult feels sexual interest in the child . There are currently two types of paedophilia: primary and secondary. Primary paedophiles are characterised by the avoidance and/or fear of sexual relations with adults, as well as by a difficulty in interacting with their peers due to low self-esteem together with a marked anger towards other adults. The secondary pedophiles , on the contrary, can have sexual relations with adults while fantasizing about children (Vázquez; 2005).

The diagnostic manual DSM-V (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) includes in the section of paraphilic disorders, pedophilia; sexual attraction of adults to minors . To be diagnosed with pedophile disorder according to the DSM-IV, a person must meet the following criteria:

302.2 (F65.4). Pedophile disorder

  • During a period of at least six months, intense and recurrent sexual excitement derived from fantasies, irritable sexual desires or compartments involving sexual activity with one or more prepubertal children (usually under 13 years old).
  • The individual has fulfilled these uncontrollable sexual desires, or the uncontrollable desires or sexual fantasies cause significant distress or interpersonal problems.
  • The individual is at least 16 years old and is at least five years older than the child/children in Criterion A.

Note: Do not include an individual in late adolescence who is having a sexual relationship with another individual aged 12 or 13.

Pedophilia is chronic from its inception.

It is usually initiated in puberty or adolescence.

Pedophile profile

“According to the compilation of English and American studies carried out by Hollin (1989), the sexual aggressors are males , and the rapes are usually in the victim’s own house , frequently at night and during the weekend” (Ortiz-Tallo, et al.; 2002). Garrido, carried out a study with sex offenders where he concluded that the sex offenders presented a profile of between 26-30 years old ; they did not have qualified work; although they were in school; mostly single; and only 20% had previously committed crimes.

Statistics according to the Ministry of the Interior in December 1999 show that out of 30,661 men in prison, 1,440 are serving sentences for sexual offences. That is, 4.6 per cent of all men were convicted of a sexual offence. However, only 25 women out of 2,742 imprisoned were for a sexual offence ; thus resulting in 0.91% of the total number of women. This low number of women is what leads the numerous investigations on sexual crimes (as in the studies on pedophilia) to focus on samples with men. (Ortiz-Tallo, et al.; 2002). According to Vázquez (2005), women as sexual aggressors of children are anecdotal; being implicated in these crimes as accomplices by way of submission by others. In addition, for every one child victim of sexual abuse, there are three girl victims (Vázquez, 2004).

Although every paedophile has his preferences regarding the characteristics of children (age, gender), his course is chronic from the beginning ; this beginning is normally in the paedophile’s puberty and adolescence (although some may develop it in more adult stages). Vázquez (2005), states that there are more and more teenagers who attack younger children.

Another marked characteristic of the paedophile is his cognitive distortions or wrong thoughts devoted to justifying his deviant behaviour. The chronicity of the disorder, together with the cognitive distortions and the interpersonal relationship established between the child and the paedophile (manipulative and destructive; consequently lacking resistance) often leads to sexual abuse of the child , insidious and progressive. By progressive, we mean that, unfortunately, this type of abuse is prolonged in time, increasing the seriousness of the facts progressively. Contrary to what may happen in sexual aggressions to adults, where it tends to occur in a punctual manner, limited in time and among strangers. The paedophile usually knows his minor victim and abuses that relationship (there are few cases of abuse to unknown minors).

The actions of the pedophile

Types of sex acts performed on children by pedophiles:

  • Exhibitionism (intense sexual excitement derived from the exposure of the genitals by the paedophile to the child. This is one of the most frequent paraphilias).
  • Voyeurism (pedophile finds intense sexual arousal by observing the child naked or undressing, without his consent or knowledge. Masturbation may also occur during this).
  • Caresses .
  • Frotterism (the pedophile finds sexual pleasure in touching or rubbing his genitals against the child).
  • Masturbation in the presence of children.
  • Oral sex .
  • Anal or vaginal penetration (by the pedophile towards the child).

Pedophiles, unlike abusers or sex offenders of adult victims, do not use force . Paedophiles follow a series of strategies of psychic manipulations towards the child, thus getting him/her involved in sexual activity. These strategies can be manifested through attraction: sympathy, buying or giving things, showing excessive interest or displaying childish behaviour. Many of them justify these acts by giving educational value or pleasure to children, that is, they state that the child needs this learning or pleasure for his/her own good. This makes clear the manipulative nature of paedophiles.

1. Clinical study: Psychological profile of sex offenders

Ortiz-Tallo, et al. (2002), defend that sex offenders with adults start from a different nature than pedophiles . In sexual crime with adults, rape usually occurs through intimidation or force (contrary to what usually happens with children). Therefore, with adults, there is more violence; thus, a behavior and personality similar to that of people imprisoned for assault and robbery with intimidation is expected in adult sex offenders.

In a comparative study between three groups: adult sex crimes, child sex crimes, and non-sexual crimes, Ortiz-Tallo et al. (2002) found the following results

  • The group of non-sexual offenders presented a profile of more altered personality and of greater severity, together with a higher consumption of alcohol and drugs than the sex offenders (both adults and minors).
  • The group of juvenile sex offenders was shown to be the group with the least personality disorders . Scoring highest on dependent, phobic and compulsive personality traits.

Pedophiles have fewer personality disorders and less severe personality traits than other types of sex offenders.

The personality of the pedophile

Ortiz-Tallo et al. (2002), describe pedophiles as people with difficulties in interacting; who seek social acceptance; who fear rejection, contempt and/or humiliation from their peers; who have difficulties in assuming mature and independent roles and responsibilities.

They are people with rather little capacity to achieve empathy and intimidation ; unable or with great difficulty in establishing an emotional relationship with adults , leading them to resort to deviant emotional and sexual relationships with minors. Therefore, therapeutic strategies should be aimed at improving their social skills as well as decreasing their social withdrawal and fear of interpersonal relationships among peers.

2. Bibliographic review: Personality pathology in pedophiles

Although there are few studies in this field and their results are not very conclusive, Becerra-GarcĂ­a (2013) presents a current review of the predominant personality traits and disorders among pedophiles according to the different clinical trials. In summary, we can highlight in the personality of the pedophile with respect to control groups:

  • Higher scores on the scales of incoherence, psychopathic deviance, paranoia, schizophrenia and obsessivity . Using less mature coping mechanisms.
  • Highest scores on obsession and sexual dysfunction . Pedophiles who had been sexual victims in childhood showed higher levels of hostility, sexual dysfunction, personal discomfort and less empathy towards their victims than those who had not been sexually abused.
  • The emotional suffering of pedophiles is related to their high levels of neuroticism and the cognitive distortions about child sexuality with their obsessive features.
  • Higher levels of neuroticism and rigidity . But less impulsive behavior and ability to satisfy their needs than violent offenders.

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  • Higher scores on borderline personality scales , histrionic and especially on obsessive-compulsive.
  • They present a less secure attachment style (avoidance and anxious-ambivalent style), than the control group.
  • The authors find a marked personality pathology in pedophiles: lack of assertiveness , elevated sociopathy and cognitive distortions; and they find deviations in their sexual behaviour: alterations in arousal, discrimination, desire and inhibition in thinking.

Testimonies of victims of sexual abuse

In 2003, almost 4,000 cases of child abuse were recorded, almost half of the final percentage of existing cases. In this documentary, they will talk about the harmful consequences they have suffered as a result of the abuse they experienced in their childhood.

Bibliographic references:

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria Reference Guide ᵀᴹ . Madrid: Panamericana.

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  • Becerra-GarcĂ­a, J. A. (2013): Is there a characteristic profile of personality psychopathology in paedophilia? Notebooks on psychosomatic medicine and liaison psychiatry , (105), 5.

  • Ortiz-Tallo, M., Sánchez, L. M., & Cardenal, V. (2002). Psychological profile of sex offenders. A clinical study with the MCMI-II of Th. Millon. Journal of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine of Barcelona , 29(3), 144-152.
  • Vázquez, B. (2005). Manual of forensic psychology . Madrid, Ed. SĂ­ntesis.