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Frottage, Frotteurism and Frotteurists

  

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Frotteurism is a disorder in which a person obtains sexual pleasure from rubbing up against another person, usually in a crowded situation, such as public transportation or in an elevator.

Frotteurism is a paraphilia, a disorder that is characterized by:

• recurrent, intense sexual fantasies over a 6 month period
• sexual urges or behaviors involving touching or rubbing up against a non-consenting person
• the person acts on these urges or the sexual urges or fantasies cause distress or interpersonal difficulty

Frotteurism takes two forms: rubbing one's genitals against the victim's thighs or buttocks or rubbing one's hands over the victim's genitals or breasts.

Most people who engage in frottage usually fantasize that they have  a caring relationship with their victims.  However, once contact is made and broken they escape to avoid prosecution.

Causes

There is no scientific agreement about the cause of frotteurism. Most experts believe that the behavior begins when someone accidentally touches the genitals of another person and finds that sexually arousing.  Repeating the behavior tends to reinforce and pepetuate it.

Demographics

Males are more likely to engage in frotteurism than females. Females tend to be the victims.

Diagnosis

Most people with this disorder come into mental health settings as a result of a court order.  The diagnosis is usually made by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Case Example

Stan was on the Green Line heading into Boston.  He had forgotten
the Red Sox would be getting out.  His car was jammed and people were pressing up against one another.  He felt the buttocks of a young woman standing in front of him pressing up against him.  He got sexually aroused.

A month later his wife went into surgery for gynecological problems.  Their sex life was put on hold.  Stan then found himself on the T engaging in the behavior that he had found pleasureable a month before. His frotteurism continued for two years before he was arrested and referred for sex offender specific treatment.

Click here to read an article on Cognitive Distortions