Imprisoned Sexual Aggressors: What they think and feel about their child victims?

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the cognitions of sexual offenders who have already been convicted of sexual crimes against vulnerable people; specifically, describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants; identify inmates' cognitions about what it means to be a child; to know their cognitions about childhood sexual abuse and to understand the aggressors' feelings about the sexual abuse they carried out. Twenty inmates from the penitentiary system participated, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and an interview. Data were analyzed using Iramuteq software. The results showed cognitive distortions regarding children's perception and sexual abuse. Perceptual clarity was evident in relation to being attracted to children, as well as feelings and thoughts about them. The knowledge acquired on the subject may contribute to the construction of more effective instruments and strategies in relation to the prevention of violence.