“I’m Not a Child Molester, But a Victim Myself”: Examining Rationalizations Among Male Sex Offenders Who Report Histories of Childhood Sexual Abuse

• Published date: 01 September 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X221102789
• Author: Mollee Steely Smith
• Date: 01 September 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X221102789

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2023, Vol. 67(12) 1254 –1271

© The Author(s) 2022

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X221102789

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Article

“I’m Not a Child Molester,

But a Victim Myself”:

Examining Rationalizations

Among Male Sex Offenders

Who Report Histories of

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Mollee Steely Smith1

Abstract

Persons convicted of sexual offenses (PCSOs) hold distorted attitudes and beliefs, or

rationalizations that minimize the severity of their offending. Despite this, knowledge

of rationalizations held by PCSOs remains limited, especially for offenders who report

being sexually abused as children. The purpose of the study was to qualitatively assess

post-conviction rationalizations of PCSOs who reported childhood sexual abuse (n = 40)

and those who reported no sexual abuse (n = 40) focusing on account variations—a

framework proposed by Scott & Lyman. Offenders were interviewed and assessed for

risk and community notification purposes in 2014 in a southern state. The manner in

which PCSOs use rationalizations to avert responsibility for their offenses provides

insight into their motivations for offending, and therefore, can inform treatment initiatives

for PCSOs with and without histories of sexual victimization. Results can help inform

differentiated treatment for those with histories of sexual abuse and those without.

Keywords

rationalizations, sexual abuse, sex offending, victimization

Introduction

PCSOs possess a variety of thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes in relation to their sexual

offending which attempt to deny, justify, or rationalize their sexual behavior. These

1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA

Corresponding Author:

Mollee Steely Smith, Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4100

Outpatient Circle, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.

Email: mksteely@uams.edu

1102789IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X221102789International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologySmith

research-article2022

Smith 1255

thoughts prevent offenders from accepting full responsibility for their crimes.

Distortions such as these are thought to influence an offender’s motivation to offend,

while others believe they are post-hoc rationalizations that minimize culpability and

preserve self-image (Hanson et al., 1994; Helmus et al., 2012; Pollock & Hashmall,

1991). Although research suggests that PCSOs rationalize their behavior differently,

studies tend to group all offenders into one single, homogenous category, which

neglects variation in offense characteristics, rationalizations for offending, and risk of

recidivism (Sample & Bray, 2006). This is problematic considering PCSOs differ in

regard to type of sexual offenses committed, offender and victim characteristics, use

of force and grooming, and frequency of offending, which can influence how they

rationalize their behavior (Ennis et al., 2016; Robertiello & Terry, 2007).

Studies that examine how PCSOs rationalize their behaviors remains limited

(Coston, 2014; D’Urso et al., 2018; Hulley, 2016; Rush Burkey & Ten Bensel, 2015;

Spraitz & Bowen, 2016). Although research is scant, it is arguable that offenders who

experienced sexual abuse during childhood rationalize their sex offending behavior in

a manner that is different than those who have not experienced sexual abuse. The pur-

pose of the current study was to qualitatively examine the post-conviction rationaliza-

tions provided by PCSOs who experienced sexual abuse and compare them to offenders

who do not report histories of childhood sexual abuse. Data consisted of face-to-face,

semi-structured secondary interviews for the purpose of community risk and notifica-

tion efforts. Results can inform future treatment initiatives for PCSOs who report his-

tories of sexual abuse. It is understood that adverse childhood experiences, such as

sexual abuse, can alter neurodevelopment, relational attachments, and contribute to

the development of maladaptive interpersonal skills (Creeden, 2009). It is important to

consider the role of childhood adversity in the development of high-risk behavior,

especially for PCSOs who believe their sexual victimization contributed to sexual

offending. Due to the limited knowledge regarding male PCSOs and their history of

sexual victimization, we are left to assume that PCSOs can benefit from the same

treatment, but also possible that current treatment does not address underlying issues

some offenders might possess. Therefore, individualized treatment initiatives should

be implemented for these offenders. Thus, the goals for the current study was to under-

stand (1) male PCSOs’ rationalization for their sex offense, (2) the type of rationaliza-

tion (i.e., excuse or justification) provided, and (3) the differences in rationalizations

between offenders who experienced childhood sexual abuse and those that did not.

Literature Review

Over the past decade, scholars developed theoretical frameworks dedicated to the expla-

nation of the rationalization of deviant behavior (Cressey, 1953; Kaptein & Van Helvoort,

2019; Mills, 1940; Scott & Lyman, 1968; Sykes & Matza, 1957). Generally, offenders

who commit criminal acts understand their behavior is wrong or unacceptable but mini-

mize or justify their actions by using excuses for their behavior (Cressey, 1953; Mills,

1940). To rationalize behavior, offenders defend their acts by shifting blame from them-

selves to an external or situational factor to avoid being viewed negatively by others.