Criminal Sexual Behavior of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Recommendations for Correctional Professionals.

Continued uncertainty on overrepresentation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the criminal justice system (CJS), although important, has shifted focus away from other questions of CJS treatment of neurodiverse individuals and left little guidance on best practice for people with ASD. For ASD individuals involved in sex offenses, there remains even less guidance. Because aspects of ASD symptomatology can highly influence sexual behaviors in ways that differ from neurotypical sex offending, it is imperative that clinicians and correctional professionals know more about this potential influence of ASD on sex offending behaviors.

Diagnostic Differential Between Pedophilic-OCD and Pedophilic Disorder: An Illustration with Two Vignettes.

Despite the prevalence of atypical sexual thoughts in OCD presentations, research suggests that treatment providers often misclassify OCD with pedophilic obsessions (P-OCD) as pedophilic disorder. Such misdiagnoses can have adverse effects including inappropriate treatment, worsening of symptoms, and potential legal complications. Given these iatrogenic effects, clinicians must be competent in differentiating between these two conditions.

Child Maltreatment and Psychiatric Disorders Increase Risk for Stalking Victimization.

Stalking is a serious public health problem, estimated to affect about 15% of women and 6% of men. Victims of stalking have been reported to be at increased risk for psychological distress, depression, lowered social and daily functioning, and other forms of victimization. The present study sought to determine whether individuals with documented histories of childhood maltreatment and those with psychiatric disorders are at increased risk for stalking victimization.