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Arousal Reduction in Sexual Offenders: A Review of Anti-Androgen Interventions

NCJ Number
167491
Author(s)
R A Prentky
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Literature on the use of anti-androgenic drugs to produce chemical castration and thereby reduce recidivism rates among sex offenders is reviewed.
Abstract
Both surgical castration and anti-androgenic drugs clearly suppress or reduce sexual urges. Drugs have been used in the United States to treat sexually aggressive behavior for about 40 years. These have included estrogen in the 1940's and early 1950's and neuroleptics in the 1960's. Until recently, the main alternative to the neuroleptics has been the anti-androgens. The antidepressants classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most recent addition to the drugs for treating sex offenders. The use of gonadotropin releasing hormone has also been described. Legal and ethical considerations involved in the use of antiandrogen medication include the administration of a medication for off-label purposes, the related issue of informed consent, and the Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The empirical literature indicates that anti-androgen drugs should never be used as exclusive treatments for paraphilic and aggressive sexual behaviors and are not appropriate for all sexual offenders. The maximum effectiveness with certain types of deviant sexual behavior require its full integration into treatment regimens that are tailored to the needs of the individual. 64 references