Frotteurism

The main feature of Frotteurism consists of, over a period of at least 6 months, intense sexually arousing fantasies involving touching and rubbing against a non-consenting person.

The person has acted on these sexual urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies casue marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.

The behavior usually occurs in crowded places from which the individual can more easily escape arrest (e.g., on busy sidewalks or in public transportation vehicles). The individual rubs his genitals against the victim's thighs and buttocks or fondles her genitalia or breasts with his hands. While doing this he usually fantasizes an exclusive, caring relationship with the victim.

However, the person recognizes that to avoid possible prosecution, he must escape detection after touching his victim. Usually the paraphilia begins by adolescence. Most acts of frottage occur when the person is ages 15–25 years, after which there is a gradual decline in frequency

Diagnostic criteria summarized from:

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.