Sex offending is a judicial term, referring to committing illegal acts, whereas sexual addiction is a medical term which relates to preoccupation with a sexual activity, the loss of control over it, and its continuation despite adverse consequences. Sex addicts whose sexual behaviors incur legal consequences are one category of sex offenders. Not all sex addicts become sex offenders. Similarly, not all sex offenders are sex addicts. Approximately 55 percent of incarcerated sex offenders are diagnosable as sex addicts.
Most sex offenders are friends or family members of the victims.
In many instances, society will be protected only when violent and dangerous offenders are incarcerated. Some sex offenders cannot be rehabilitated and for public safety must be kept behind bars. Sexual addiction has progressive features. Whereas some sex addicts may not progress beyond self-destructive behavior, i.e. compulsive masturbation, hustling, cruising, or the extensive use of pornography or phone and computer sex services, others may escalate to victimizing activities such as exhibitionism, voyeurism, obscene phone calls, child molestation, or rape. For some, sexual dependency may lead to more risky, intense, and exploitative acts.