Carter, Daniel Lee, Robert Alan Prentky, Raymond A. Knight, Penny L. Vanderveer, and Richard J. Boucher.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2, no. 2 (1987): 196-211.
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.
Child molesters when compared to rapists indicated:
- More exposure to pornography as an adult
- More use of pornography prior to criminal offenses
- More use of pornography during criminal offenses
- More use of pornography to relieve the impulse to commit an offense
- More overall influence of pornography on life
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