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The purpose of this paper is to present an empirically anchored, practical clinical approach that simultaneously considers risk factors for the individual and family, when assessing sexually abusive individuals of all ages and genders.

Identified were specific, empirically based variables on sizable validation and cross-validation samples (i.e. combined total of over 2,000 male and female youth, ages 4-19) that were directly related to risk for coarse sexual improprieties and/or sexually abusive behaviors.

Clinical considerations are offered regarding developmental domains not often considered and/or studied when working with sexually abusive individuals of all ages and genders. That is, attention is focussed on incorporating assessment of sexual development, erotic development, and romantic development and interventions to decrease intimacy deficits and thus improve skills in relationships. Specific strategies for utilizing the approach in assessment and treatment are described.

Overall the paper synthesizes the importance of the individual and family history with regard to those elements related to family history, sexual abuse, and intimacy deficits. The paper provides clinical, practice application with regard to assessment and risk variables in sexual abuse cases.

The manuscript introduces an original concept, the Family Lovemap with empirical data to support its underpinnings. The overall family system is viewed as a living sexual organism with its history that formulates the individual's unique Family Lovemap. The family is seen as a changing and evolving psycho-sexual system. Discussed is the impact of Family Lovemap onto the individual, providing an avenue of consideration in assessment and treatment, specifically, with issues related to bonding, attachment, and sexual development. On a broader scope, it offers more a “collective view” of a sexually abusive individual when doing a risk assessment.

Myra Hindley is typically described as an ‘icon of evil’. In the 1960s, Hindley and her boyfriend Ian Brady sexually tortured and murdered at least two girls and three boys, aged between 10 and 17 years, in the Manchester area of the UK. All except one were sexually assaulted. She has provoked a huge amount of public commentary for more than three and a half decades after her conviction. This chapter asks how Hindley's actions were understood and interpreted at the time. Central themes are the concept ‘evil’, sexual violence, pornography, permissive society and patriarchy, as refracted through gender and class.