PEDOPHILIA AND DEAFNESS

Data from 22 cases of deaf individuals suffering from pedophilia are p resented along with a tabular summary of recent articles from the deaf press, about deaf victims of pedophilia and deaf pedophiles. Results indicate a number of factors; that distinguish deaf pedophiles from he aring pedophiles. First is the prevalence of Primitive Personality Dis order in the deaf group. Corollary to this, with a significant number of pedophiles, competence to stand trial is a major issue, Other signi ficant differences include a high rate of brain damage, illiteracy, po or communication skills, and other psychiatric illnesses. Two of the 2 2 cases were deaf females with pedophilia, The mean performance IQ of the sample was 102.8 and the distribution of scores was bimodal. Case histories are presented and discussed, and legal issues, prevention, a nd punishment are addressed.