Interest in child molestation among a community sample of men sexually attracted to children

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.