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Exhibitionism
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Exhibitionism is characterized by the achievement of sexual satisfaction in the demonstration of their sexual organs, usually to unsuspecting strangers. It can also manifest itself in a strong desire to be observed during sexual activity.
An exhibitionist (usually a man) can masturbate when demonstrating his sex organs or fantasizing about it. He can realize his need to surprise, shock, impress an involuntary observer. The victims are almost always adult women or children of both sexes. Almost never is there a search for a real sexual contact. The age of the beginning is about 25 years; rarely the first episode is observed in prepubertal or middle age. About 30% of men detained for sexual crimes are exhibitionists. They have the highest rate of relapse among all those who committed sexual crimes; from 20 to 50% are re-arrested. Most exhibitionists are married, but marriage is often complicated by poor social and sexual relationships, including frequent sexual dysfunction. Women diagnose exhibitionism very rarely, although there is a public permission for some forms of exhibitionist behavior in women (through video and entertainment).
In some people, exhibitionism manifests itself in a strong desire for other people to observe their sexual acts. This action is directed not at the surprise of the audience, but rather at being observable by a consonant to it by the public. People with a compulsive attraction to this form of exhibitionism can shoot pornographic films or participate in entertainments for adults. They are rarely concerned about their sexual needs.
Treatment of Exhibitionism
If the boundaries of the law are violated and the question of sexual crimes is raised, then treatment usually begins with psychotherapy, support groups and SSRIs. If these drugs are ineffective, then anti-androgens may be prescribed, with full informed consent and appropriate monitoring of hepatic function and testosterone levels in the blood.
Exhibitionism and the law
Indecent exposure, or exhibitionism, is not grounds for prosecution on indictment. Most men convicted of this crime do not commit such relapses, since it is believed that one appearance in court already has a deterrent effect. If conviction follows with the imposition of punishment, the risk of relapse is much greater. Previously, individuals who committed an obscene outcry were classified according to the condition of their penis during the act of exposure - whether he was erect or not. At the same time, as with other sexual crimes, there is as yet no satisfactory classification or theory of the etiology of this behavior. Most individuals committing acts of indecent exposure do so during periods of personal stress, they are more likely to be married, and they lack the signs that are characteristic of other sex offenders. Abel & Rouleau performed a longitudinal study of 561 sex offenders. According to their data, several different paraphilias were detected in these individuals. More than 80% of exhibitionists showed 2 more or more paraphilia, and every third had five or more. In addition, 28% of sexual abusers noted a sexual interest in exhibitionism. The effectiveness of treatment of persons committing acts of obscene exposure is reduced as the frequency of this act increases.