DANGEROUSNESS IN EXHIBITIONISTS

The literature on male genital exhibitionism has suggested some featur es which may distinguish individuals prone to more serious sex offendi ng, and there is evidence that a large proportion of exhibitionists do in fact commit contact sex offences. Psychiatirc records were examine d for 210 cases seen by the West Midlands Forensic Psychiatry Service, and collated with criminal record data extending into a follow-up per iod of 8 to 25 years. It was found that 26 per cent had at least one c onviction for a contact sex offence. This was statistically associated with 20 variables, but particularly (p < 0.005) with a history of the following: childhood conduct disorder, convictions for acquisitive of fending, excessive libido, homosexuality, exhibiting at more than one site, cornering or pursuing the victim of the exposure, touching the v ictim, and being assessed as having an unfavourable prognosis. Discrim inant function analysis correctly allocated over 80 per cent of cases, suggesting that, with further research, the prediction of dangerousne ss in exhibitionists is feasible.