How is sexual addiction related to sex offenders?

Sex offenders can also be sex addicts. But not ALL sex offenders are sex addicts, and vice versa. The difference between a non-addicted sex offender and a sex addict who is also a sex offender is in the intent. We examine that distinction here.

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What is a sexual offense?
A “sex offense” is a legal definition of particular sexual acts that societies consider inappropriate and against the social norm. The definition of these acts differs according to jurisdiction, or legal authority.

What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any sexual activity to which one person has not freely given consent. Any sexual activity that is against your will is considered sexual assault.

What drives sexual assault?
Often, a sexual assault is the expression of anger. But sexual assault can also be driven by a need for control, power, dominance, control, revenge, or sadistic satisfaction.

What drives a sex addict?
Sexual addicts are preoccupied with one or more sexual activities, experience the loss of impulse control, and continue a sex activity despite negative consequences. A sex addict is driven mainly by self-gratification and a need to escape negative thoughts or emotions (loneliness, fear, low self-esteem).

What drives a non-addicted sex offender?
Non-addicted sex offenders consciously attempt to sexually assault a person and do so knowing that they will cause pain and harm. Non-addicted sex offenders are driven by hatred, rage, and/or anger.

The bridge
Sexual addiction can be progressive. And many types of sexually addictive behavior can be offensive to societal norms. This means that sometimes sex activities that start as only self-involved may lead to more risky, intense and potentially abusive acts. The need for greater amounts of sexual experiences may put a sex addict at increasingly greater risk of crossing the legal boundary and committing a sexual offense or to commit sexual assault.

Treatment
Assessment and treatment of sex addiction in its early stages can deter future offense or assault. This is why most experts agree that the sex addiction model should be used in treating sex offenders. Using the sex addiction model in treating sex offense behavior strengthens other proven treatment therapies by addressing core issues that fuel unhealthy sexual behavior. Long-term relapse prevention including improving offenders’ understanding of themselves, understanding the etiology of sexual disorders, and making genuine changes in behavior, cognition, and emotion. If you believe that you are a sex addict, you can get help.  Search the sex addiction treatment databases at the International Institute for Trauma and
Addiction Professionals or The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health to find treatment centers or sex addiction therapists by city and state.

Search for sex offenders

The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) National Sex Offender Website hosts a searchable database of sex offenders who have been convicted of either sexually based contact crimes, violent offenses against adults and children and certain sexual contact or sexual crimes against victims who are minors. The database contains information submitted by sexual offender registries in the US states, territories and Indian communities. The public can use this Website to educate themselves about the possible presence of such offenders in their local communities. However, it is important that you visit your local jurisdiction website (county, city, or state registries) to confirm the accuracy of current addresses, employment or school attendance as the USDOJ makes no claim to having updated information on their website.

Reference Sources: Treating Sex Offenders Using the Sex Addiction Model
Treating Sex and Porn addiction
Sexualrecovery.com article about sex offending
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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