Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast identified entitlement as a strong psychological predictor of stealthing, the non-consensual removal of condoms during sex. Men scoring high on entitlement measures were three times more likely to engage in this behavior, the study found.
Stealthing constitutes sexual violence and has been criminalized across most Australian states within the past five years. The act violates a partner's consent to protected sex and exposes them to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections without their knowledge.
The University of the Sunshine Coast study examined psychological profiles of men who commit stealthing. Researchers focused on entitlement as a measurable trait, finding it correlated strongly with the behavior. The three-fold increase in likelihood represents a substantial risk elevation compared to men without elevated entitlement scores.
This research addresses a relatively recent legal category. While stealthing gained public attention in the 2010s, only in recent years have Australian legislatures codified it as a distinct crime. Other jurisdictions, including several U.S. states and Canada, have followed similar paths toward criminalization.
The study builds on emerging research into sexual coercion and consent violations. Previous work identified various risk factors for non-consensual sexual behavior, including low empathy, hostile attitudes toward women, and poor impulse control. The University of the Sunshine Coast findings add entitlement to this profile, suggesting that men who believe they deserve sexual access represent a distinct population requiring intervention.
Understanding psychological markers of stealthing offenders has practical implications for prevention, screening, and therapeutic intervention. Mental health professionals and sexual assault prevention programs can incorporate entitlement assessment into risk evaluations. The findings also inform public health campaigns about consent and relationship dynamics.
The research limitations remain unstated in available reporting, though sample size, self-reporting bias, and geographic specificity to Australia warrant consideration. Ent