Bestiality in Forensically Committed Sexual Offenders: A Case Series

Although bestiality has occurred since prehistoric times, it remains a poorly understood aspect of human sexuality. Prevalence studies in the mid‐20th century suggested that bestiality was a relatively common phenomenon. Since that time, researchers have studied bestiality among specific populations, including self‐identified “zoophiles” and inmates who report a history of bestiality. Findings from inmate research suggest that bestiality may represent a risk factor for future interpersonal violence. This study presents a case series of bestiality among sexual offenders committed under forensic commitment schemes. The case series demonstrates the range of animal partners, sexual acts, and comorbid paraphilic and nonparaphilic diagnoses in individuals who report a history of bestiality. In addition, it helps clarify potential motivations for sex with animals and how such motivations may influence the forensic psychiatric assessment of offenders who have sex with animals.     

(Re)Drawing the Lines on Marriage and Sexuality

The campaign for same‐sex marriage is animated by two, contradictory impulses: a libertarian‐egalitarian strain that continually expands the boundaries of what is publicly legitimate; and a conservative one that seeks to reinforce traditional boundaries. Democratic polities would benefit from public discussion on whether to retain normative, sexual boundaries, and if so, what they should reasonably be. I outline a moderately conservative agenda that would limit public legitimacy to sexually exclusive monogamy (heterosexual or homosexual), but informally tolerate most, consenting, nonconventional sexual practices. A spirit of humility, empathy and tragedy will help us to exercise reasonable judgement as we redraw the lines on marriage and sexuality.