THE ROLE OF CRIMINAL FANTASY IN PREDATORY AND OPPORTUNIST SEX OFFENDING

This study examined the role of criminal fantasy in premeditated and r epetitive sex offending. Forty-eight males participated in two experim ental groups, predatory sex offenders and opportunist sex offenders, a nd two control groups, non-sex offenders and a group of non-offenders living in the community. The offenders were Special Hospital patients. All participants completed a measure of impulsivity and a task design ed to elicit criminal fantasies. The findings confirmed the hypotheses that, compared to opportunist sex offenders, predatory sex offenders were significantly more organized and elaborate in their criminal fant asies and more likely to report that the crimes were planned. There we re no between-group differences on a measure of impulsivity In line wi th previous research, it is suggested that fantasy provides a forum fo r prior rehearsal of repetitive and premeditated sex offenses.