At times, we may find ourselves having butterflies in our bellies for those who have committed heinous crimes. Think Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Thabo Bester who is currently making headlines in South Africa.
However, there are incidents where people’s butterflies turn into infatuation… which could lead to serious consequences.
According to experts, these people experience a “condition” known as hybristophilia, also coined the Bonnie and Clyde syndrome.
Firstly, what is hybristophilia?
Women’s Health describes hybristophilia as a sexual attraction to people who have committed extraordinary crimes – for example, sexual assault and murder – and is one of countless paraphilias.
According to Muy Salud publication, it is listed as a paraphilia because its existence endangers people’s physical and mental integrity. “More so, because sometimes this attraction could evolve and lead those who have it to commit crimes.”
The publication also states that there are two types of hybristophilia – passive and aggressive. Those with the former are only attracted to the criminal in a sexual and romantic way. However, they will not participate in the criminal’s acts. Regarding the latter, the person who suffers from this type of hybristophilia actively participates in their lover’s criminal acts.
What causes hybristophilia?
The specific causes of hybristophilia are unclear, due to the limited amount of research. But, Muy Salud mentions possible causes:
- Dark triad – “The dark triad of personality refers to a combination of three personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, which are often attractive to some types of women,” says the publication.
- History of abuse – Studies have shown that women with a history of childhood abuse often choose a partner – be it sexual or romantic – with a criminal or aggressive profile.
- Social stereotypes – We find that society often imposes certain stereotypes of how couples should be. “One of the most common patterns lies in machismo, where it’s common for the man to dominate in the relationship, to the point of being aggressive.”
Is hybristophilia common amongst men?
According to a paper written by Dr Melissa Matuszak from the Riverside City College and Center for Homicide Research, there is no specific gender criteria. However, no known research or literature was found that involved the diagnosis of hybristophilia for a male subject. There has also not been a discussion of male populations as experiencing a sexual attraction to criminal behaviour.
Can it be treated?
“Although you might think that hybristophilia can be cured with the support of a mental health professional, the answer is that there’s no clear and definitive treatment that has managed to counteract this paraphilia,” reports Muy Salud.
The publication also states that hybristophilia does not appear as a mental disorder in the diagnostic manuals. “Because of that, there’s no single line to indicate how it could be treated.”
Lastly, because of its origin, it does not have a clear erotic element. Instead, it is abstract and complex to control in a clinical setting.
