Editorial

Abstract

This paper assesses some of the self-report and empirical evidence regarding the risk that rapists of adults present to children. Etiological theory is reviewed. An empirically-derived classificatory scheme is presented to show the relative risk presented by various rapist types. Self-report andphallometric data from both rapists and normals are presented to show that there is strong evidence of multiple paraphilic interest in both populations. Reports from four treatment centres support these data. Several methods of assessing risk to adults and children are presented. It is concluded that a significant, and probably underestimated proportion of rapists (and possibly some normals), present a risk of sexual violence toward children.