Paraphilia -Russell Williams case

In the US, insurance companies depend upon the DSM-IV-TR to recognize disorders. It is not so prevalent in Canada, and there is some controversy around it. It is currently being revised, as there is disagreement about some of the disorders, but it provides a framework for discussion and recognition of symptoms. It does provide some foundations for understanding health issues.

I have a copy of the 'Quick Reference', as part of some Counselling Psychology courses I took. You can read the full descriptions online:  DSM-IV Codes - Wikipedia, look them up, if you wish. The DSM-IV-TR, is a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

It says that this disorder classifies Paraphilias in different forms; and the main criteria is that the subject experience these symptoms for 6 months or more.

(302.2) Pedophilia
(302.4) Exhibitionism
(302.81) Fetishism
(302.82) Voyeurism
(302.83) Sexual Masochism
(302.84) Sexual Sadism
(302.89) Frotteurism

What frightens me is all the speculation around his issues. We need to know why he engaged in these behaviours, in order to recognize and prevent them. But the fact that we can recognize the fetishes, collecting the women and the girl's underwear, is a sign.

CBC NN has talked to Dr. Brad Booth, a forensic psychiatrist, who said the behaviours described in court fit into the condition known as paraphilia, an abnormal sexual arousal in response to objects such as clothing. There would also elements of sexual sadism, voyeurism and fetishism. For someone like Williams to descend into criminal behaviour and act upon his urges, there would have to be a "disinhibiting factor," Booth said. This could be a manipulative personality, a tendency to lie pathologically, and having a lack of empathy for other people.

"We know that paraphilic dress may start in a lesser form around puberty and escalate through the life, becoming more honed in on a particular interest. In Col. Williams' case, I suspect that he in fact was fantasizing, maybe in an attenuated form, about some of these behaviours that he later engaged in."

In another article:

“What we don’t know is anything about him prior to the panty raids,” Dr. Leyton said. “Until we learn something serious about him, all we know is that he’s a bizarre anomaly.”

What we do know is that he is not the first person to demonstrate these symptoms, nor will he be the last. For people like you and I we need to understand that some. like this man with an excellent reputation in his workplace, we would not have suspected. In this case, he seemed to function well in a high stress, high profile job, and it is those closest to him who may have been able to recognize that he was escalating.

For the victims, the very brave Laurie Massicotte, her healing will come as she speaks about her pain and suffering. As she speaks out, she will help prevent this from happening to others. For neighbours who did not report the panty thefts, well, they know better now, don't they?

 "In her report to police, Massicotte said she awoke to someone hitting her on the head. Williams blindfolded her. At one point he left to get her painkillers for her headache. Williams made multiple mentions of wanting to photograph her."

With many human failings escalation is predictable. As the brain and body become innured to the triggers, they need stronger triggers. This is true for addicts of any type; we know that substance abuse escalates. These are lessons we can learn if professionals study the case.
Again, my heart goes out to the victims and their families, as well as the residents near the two homes. Talk about it. Get some help. Keep you power and don't let this man change your lives.