Pharmacological Treatment of Patients with Paraphilic Disorders and Risk of Sexual Offending: An International Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to evaluate existing policy and practice relating to the use of pharmacological treatments with patients suffering from paraphilic disorders who are at risk of committing further sexual offences.

METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to document current legal policies across 26 different countries. Additionally, a questionnaire assessing the practice of pharmacological treatment was sent to practitioners involved in the treatment of patients with paraphilic disorders.

RESULTS: Legal policies concerning the preconditions of using pharmacological treatments differ considerably between countries and for most jurisdictions do not exist. Drawing on the responses of 178 practitioners, pharmacological agents are a useful addition to psychotherapeutic interventions, especially with those patients classified as medium to high risk for sexually violent behaviours. It would appear that most patients are medically examined, are informed of the risks and possible side effects before treatment commences and are also obliged to sign a consent form.

CONCLUSIONS: Although pharmacological agents can be seen as an intrusion into a patients' sexual self-determination, results indicate that ethical and clinical standards are being met in the majority of cases. However, further promotion of current WFSBP-treatment guidelines would help to standardize practice across North American and European countries.