ABSTRACT
Sexuality represents one of the more complex aspects of human experience. It integrates the cognitive, emotional, sensual, and behavioral elements of the individual into a uniquely personal pattern of experience that derives from both internal fantasy and external behavior. All human beings employ their available senses to enhance their sexual arousal. A thorough review of the ways that the various senses are manipulated in a sexual assault will ensure that a comprehensive assessment of the psychosexual component of the offender’s sexual arousal pattern has been captured from the victim. Paraphilia is a term used by the mental health profession to describe what is more commonly called sexual deviation. The use of nonliving objects for sexual fantasy play-acting is not uncommon. Such items are passive and nonthreatening, and pose the least likelihood of criminal actions against the individual. Several researchers have demonstrated that a large number of sexual offenders have reported being influenced by pornography to sexually offend.
