Pedophilia and Sexual Offending Against Children: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention


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Author gets to the heart of complex topic
(March 2008 Issue)

“Pedophilia and Sexual Offending Against Children: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention”
By Michael C. Seto
American Psychological Association
Washington, D.C., 2008

By James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA

Pedophilia is a sexual preference for prepubescent children, which may or may not be associated with sexually offending behavior. Recognized as a paraphilia by DSM-IV, it is a serious mental health problem that demands treatment and prevention. Forensic concerns also are apparent when violations against children occur.

Psychologist Michael C. Seto has written extensively on the nature and treatment of pedophilia, as well as offender risk assessment, psychopathy and the impact of child pornography on victimization. His book expounds on these and related topics, synthesizing an abundant research literature with critical analysis and seasoned advice.

Understanding the origins of pedophilia could be a book-length treatise unto itself. Seto's appraisal of etiology and causative factors is highly informative and thought provoking. He cites many influences on the development of sexual arousal toward minors, contrasting different theories, and offering a compelling neurodevelopmental hypothesis.

Chapters on assessment cover self-report measures, questionnaires and several psychophysiological methods. Phallometry, the measurement of penile responses to visual and auditory stimuli, is described in exacting detail because it has high discriminative and predictive validity. Another fascinating topic is the accumulation of assessment data to isolate personality and physical characteristics that attract pedophiles to children.

By aggregating published research findings on pedophilia, Seto organizes several dominant themes. For example, whereas pedophilia is largely a male disorder, approximately 50% of pedophilic men do not act out against children. When sexual offending occurs, it often is correlated with non-sexual criminality and recurrent antisocial behavior. Conversely, child pornography offending appears to be a potent diagnostic indicator of pedophilia in men who do not engage in sexual activity with children.

The book has several chapters describing psychological treatment methods for pedophilic sexual offenders. Seto also examines various medical approaches such as drug therapy and surgical castration. Notably, he gives an empirical perspective on social interventions that deal with criminal sentencing guidelines, community supervision and sex offender registration. Several tables summarizing treatment recommendations are particularly valuable.

In this outstanding book, Seto accomplishes his objective of presenting "an overview of current scientific knowledge about pedophilia and sexual offending behavior against children." The author has the knack of getting to the heart of many complex issues, using research evidence as a guide and translating multiple sources of information into potential solutions. In every chapter, he takes a balanced approach, addressing topics with conviction, but always with a dispassionate tone. It is a fact-filled book that should not be missed by any professional concerned about pedophilia, be it a clinician, legal authority, criminologist or public health policy maker.

James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA, is senior vice president, applied research, clinical training and peer review at the May Institute in Norwood, Mass.