Interest in child molestation among a community sample of men sexually attracted to children
ABSTRACT Research including community samples of men suggests that sexual attraction to children, a significant risk factor for child sex offending behaviour, may not be limited to forensic populations. The present study investigated proclivity for child molestation among two groups of community men: those who reported never acting on their sexual attractions (Not Acted) and those reporting at least one previous sexual encounter with a child (Acted) The Interest in Child Molestation Scale (Gannon O'Connor, 2011) was found to be a reliable measure for use in a community sample of men with self reported sexual attraction to children. Men in the Not Acted group reported less behavioural propensity towards low force scenarios than did men in the Acted group. Overall, the research supports a distinction between sexual attraction towards children and the proclivity to engage in low force child molestation.