[Impairments of empathic process in sexual offenders]

The review of literature devoted to empathy deficits of sexual offenders shows that they have difficulties in identifying specific emotions in specific situations. Their perspective taking abilities range from weak to normal. Face to their victims suffering, their emotional replication would be inhibited. Affective and cognitive impairments in sexual offenders do not result from a general empathy deficit but would however result from the context, cognitive distortions or indifference towards victims. Some sexual offenders are able to decenter from themselves and understand their victims' mental states, but maintain their viewpoint, leading them to not identify with their victims or share their feelings. This focus overcomes the common general consideration regarding the lack of empathy among sex offenders by lighting several processes that explain, justify or apologize to them the genesis and persistence of their behavior. It would be interesting to study by using brain imaging techniques the perspective switching mechanisms of sexual offenders.