Cited by 340Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingCrime Patterns and InterventionsSexual Assault and Victimization Studies

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The Motivation-Facilitation Model of Sexual Offending

Seto, Michael C.·2019·Sexual Abuse

DOI 10.1177/1079063217720919

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Abstract

In this article, I describe the motivation-facilitation model of sexual offending, which identifies the traits of paraphilia, high sex drive, and intense mating effort as primary motivations for sexual offenses, as well as trait (e.g., antisocial personality) and state (e.g., intoxication) factors that can facilitate acting on these motivations when opportunities exist. Originally developed to explain contact sexual offending against children, the motivation-facilitation model was subsequently extended as an explanation for child pornography offending and for online solicitations of young adolescents. Here, I argue it has the potential to be expanded to explain other forms of sexual offending, including sexual assaults of adults and noncontact offenses involving exhibitionism or voyeurism. In this review, I critically examine the evidence for and against the model, discuss its limitations, and identify critical gaps for future research.

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Background
Prevalence, Risks, Costs, Theories, and Legal Aspects
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Incidencia en el consumo de pornografía infantil en Colombia y México durante el confinamiento en el primer semestre del 2020
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Thorne, J. R. (2020)
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Copyright Page
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Dedication
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Result
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Authors: Seto, M. C.
Affiliations: Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Corresponding author: Seto, Michael C.
ORCID: Seto, Michael C.
Venue: Sexual Abuse
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2017-07-17
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Pages: 3-24
ISSN: 1079-0632 (ISSN-L)
1573-286X
DOI: 10.1177/1079063217720919
OpenAlex: W2737203213
Cited by: 339
References: 82
Citations by year: 2026: 50 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 1
FWCI: 19.62
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Sexual Abuse (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Keywords: sexual offending, paraphilias, sexual desire, mating effort, antisocial personality, poisoning, child sexual abuse, exhibitionism, voyeurism, adult sexual assault
MeSH terms: Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Humans, Libido, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Pedophilia, Risk Factors, Sex Offenses, Criminals

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The Motivation-Facilitation Model of Sexual Offending

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