Bestiality/Zoophilia: A Scarcely Investigated Phenomenon Between Crime, Paraphilia, and Love

Sexual contact with animals–frequently referred to as bestiality or zoophilia–is a scarcely investigated subject. Even though the phenomenon has been prevalent throughout history, addressing the subject often seems to evoke prejudices and emotional reactions rather than objective reflection. A large part of the information on bestiality stems from criminological reports. Thus, usually violence and psychiatric disorders are prevalent in those cases. Only a few more recent studies of zoophilia have collected data from voluntary, community samples on the variety of behaviors, motivation, development, and personality involved and have provided new information, in particular on aspects like emotional involvement and the possibility of a zoosexual orientation. In addition to an overview of both the older and more recent literature and research, some implications for practitioners will be provided.