Sexually Harmful Behaviours Research Lab
Pathways and causal candidates
Identifying factors that may contribute to鈥攐r protect against鈥攖he onset and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviours.
Why this research matters
Moving from association toward explanation and prevention
We identify promising causal candidates for the onset and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviours. The goal is to determine which factors are most likely to influence behaviour鈥攁nd therefore represent meaningful targets for prevention and intervention.
Research program
Three complementary approaches
Population-based studies
Family, sibling, and case-control designs can improve control of confounding and help identify promising developmental and health-related candidates.
Sexual interests
We work to improve the measurement of atypical sexual interests and clarify how sexual interests may relate to sexually harmful behaviour.
Change in risk factors
If a factor plays a causal role, change in that factor should be associated with change in behaviour. Longitudinal research helps test this possibility.
Current focus
Our current longitudinal research examines factors associated with changes in university students鈥� likelihood of engaging in online and in-person sexually harmful behaviours. This work is supported by the Government of Ontario.
Recent and foundational work
Selected publications
Psychiatric and neurological morbidity predicts sexual offending
Babchishin, K. M., Seto, M. C., & L氓ngstr枚m, N. (2025). Journal of Criminal Justice, 96, 102355.
Parental and perinatal risk factors
Babchishin, K. M., Seto, M. C., Sariaslan, A., Lichtenstein, P., Fazel, S., & L氓ngstr枚m, N. (2017). Psychological Medicine, 47, 305鈥�315.
Sexual attraction and falling in love in persons with pedohebephilia
Martijn, F. M., Babchishin, K. M., Pullman, L. E., & Seto, M. C. (2020). Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Monitoring changes in risk of reoffending
Babchishin, K. M., & Hanson, R. K. (2020). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(10), 886鈥�898.
Support for this research
Funding partners
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Government of Ontario
Interested in research collaboration?
We welcome conversations about data partnerships, applied research, knowledge exchange, and new research questions.