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M. Jenny Edwards

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M. Jenny Edwards is a partner with Chandler Edwards and a subject matter expert on animal sexual abuse and exploitation. Jenny frequently guest lectures for criminal justice, veterinary, and sociology programs, and has developed training materials for law enforcement academies, state bar associations, and multiple statewide animal control associations.

Jenny has been honored for her work on high-profile bestiality cases, and appeared in the film Zoo, documenting the death of a 45-year-old man after a willing sexual encounter with a horse. Jenny regularly consults with law enforcement and prosecutors on investigations, and provides expert witness or subject matter testimony for court proceedings and state legislatures.

As a published author, Jenny has contributed to criminology, psychology, law and medical books and publications. The results of an in-depth study of nearly 500 adjudicated cases of animal sex abuse throughout United States is the first study based exclusively on animal sex offenders. Her current research interests include sexualized animal torture and the impact of sexually explicit images on offender behavior.

Jenny is a member of the American Psychology-Law Society, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Phone: 425.522.3335
Address: Washington

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Papers by M. Jenny Edwards

CV M Jenny Edwards

Arrest and Prosecution of Animal Sex Abuse (Bestiality) Offenders in the United States, 1975-2015

Journal American Acad. of Psychiatry and the Law, 2019

Bestiality is an uncomfortable topic about which there is limited scientific literature. Prevalen... more Bestiality is an uncomfortable topic about which there is limited scientific literature. Prevalence research has focused on self-reported acts, and no research has established the actual frequency and nature of deliberate sex acts with animals. This quantitative, descriptive study examined 456 arrests for bestiality-related incidents in the United States from 1975 to 2015 to explore patterns of offending, offender characteristics, and how cases were adjudicated. The results suggest that animal sex offending may be linked to other criminal behavior, and involves a spectrum of sexual acts, including coercive, violent, and non-violent penetration; solicitation for sex with animals; and deviant behavior including torture and necrophilia. Findings of concern were that 31.6% of animal sex offenders also sexually offended against children and adults; 52.9% had a prior or subsequent criminal record involving human sexual abuse, animal abuse, interpersonal violence, substances, or property offenses; and only 39.1% of arrests involving the direct sexual abuse of animals resulted in prosecution. The broad range of sexual assault patterns and varied legal outcomes suggest that bestiality is more pervasive and more serious than previously thought and point to a need for additional research to aid in detection, intervention, sentencing, treatment, and supervision methods. Although there is evidence that zoophilia and besti-ality have existed for millennia, 1 we still do not have reliable information on the prevalence of the behavior or what significance it might have. Academic research and reliable statistics are scant largely because zoophilia (i.e., the human sexual interest in or attraction to an animal) and bestiality (i.e., the deliberate use of animals for human sexual purposes) are generally considered rare and unworthy of serious research or debate. 2 Additionally, reports of animal cruelty are often perceived as less important to investigate or prosecute. 3 As a result, zoophilia and besti-ality are understudied, and usable statistics are artificially low or not available at all. The primary goal of this study was to create a baseline of reliable and verifiable data through a detailed examination of 456 bestiality-related arrests that occurred in the United States over a 40-year period. Literature Review Estimates of Prevalence

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GUIDE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BESTIALITY

Sheriff's and Deputy Magazine, a publication of the National Sheriff's Association, 2019

Animal sexual abuse happens far more often than most people realize. Although the studies are lim... more Animal sexual abuse happens far more often than most people realize. Although the studies are limited and out of date, it has been estimated that as much as 5% of men and women in the United States are sexually interested in, or have committed a sex act with, dogs, horses, and other animals. More recent studies indicate a link between committing sex acts with animals and acts of interpersonal violence and human sexual assault. This article is based on a study of 456 bestiality-related arrests in the United States, which confirms that a link exists, although it is unclear whether bestiality is an indicator or predictor of other forms of criminal behavior. The study also indicates that animal sexual abuse is committed by a diverse population of offenders who commit a range of acts, and that investigation of animal sex abuse incidents may require unique skills and resources.

Bestiality and child sexual offending-what arrests tell us.docx

Pornography and Bestiality: The Miller Test

It's often difficult to define what should be considered obscene. Cultural differences as well a... more

Obscenity, Pornography, and Bestiality: One man's trash is another man's treasure

Defining "obscenity" is a difficult task. What is pornographic to one viewer may be merely eroti... more Defining "obscenity" is a difficult task. What is pornographic to one viewer may be merely erotic, or even uninteresting to another. As the number of bestiality cases grow, there's a growing body of evidence that child and animal pornography play a significant role. This paper briefly discusses how obscenity is defined in the United States and the United Kingdom, and how efforts are in place to reduce the social impact in both countries.

Link between bestiality & human sexual offending

Understanding Bestiality and Social Responses to Offenders

Drafts by M. Jenny Edwards

Bestiality and child sexual offending: what arrests tell us

Although sexual contact between humans and animals has occurred throughout history, we know surpr... more Although sexual contact between humans and animals has occurred throughout history, we know surprisingly little about why or how often it happens. There is scant academic research focused on bestiality, and what does exist is often outdated, pseudoscientific, or based on very small or specific populations, such as incarcerated violent sex offenders. The purpose of this presentation is to share preliminary results on a subset of data drawn from original research on 491 adjudicated cases in the U.S involving some form of bestiality. This original research suggests that there is wide variability in the nature and extent of prosecution of animal sex offenders, the number of women and couples involved in deviant behavior is rising, animal sex offenders frequently commit additional criminal behavior, and nearly half (42.6%) of the offenders in the sample sexually offend or exploit children or minors.

Teaching Documents by M. Jenny Edwards

ZOOSADISM: Summary Information for Law Enforcement Professionals

When Animal Cruelty becomes Zoosadism, 2022

Sexualized animal abuse is a spectrum of behavior that involves direct sex acts with an animal or... more Sexualized animal abuse is a spectrum of behavior that involves direct sex acts with an animal or acts that result in sexual arousal or release for the perpetrator. Animal cruelty is prohibited in all 50 states; sadistic animal torture and its depiction are specifically prohibited under U.S. federal law. Zoosadism (sometimes referred to as "animal crushing:") has serious and widespread implications for public safety. Individuals who commit extreme animal cruelty are different from people who starve, neglect, or simply "beat" their animals out of frustration or anger. Animal sadists are similar to sexual murderers of people - they plan ahead, have lowered inhibition, are more impulsive, lack empathy, use ruse and manipulation to acquire victims, and are prone to sexual violence with both humans and animals.

CV M Jenny Edwards

Arrest and Prosecution of Animal Sex Abuse (Bestiality) Offenders in the United States, 1975-2015

Journal American Acad. of Psychiatry and the Law, 2019

Bestiality is an uncomfortable topic about which there is limited scientific literature. Prevalen... more Bestiality is an uncomfortable topic about which there is limited scientific literature. Prevalence research has focused on self-reported acts, and no research has established the actual frequency and nature of deliberate sex acts with animals. This quantitative, descriptive study examined 456 arrests for bestiality-related incidents in the United States from 1975 to 2015 to explore patterns of offending, offender characteristics, and how cases were adjudicated. The results suggest that animal sex offending may be linked to other criminal behavior, and involves a spectrum of sexual acts, including coercive, violent, and non-violent penetration; solicitation for sex with animals; and deviant behavior including torture and necrophilia. Findings of concern were that 31.6% of animal sex offenders also sexually offended against children and adults; 52.9% had a prior or subsequent criminal record involving human sexual abuse, animal abuse, interpersonal violence, substances, or property offenses; and only 39.1% of arrests involving the direct sexual abuse of animals resulted in prosecution. The broad range of sexual assault patterns and varied legal outcomes suggest that bestiality is more pervasive and more serious than previously thought and point to a need for additional research to aid in detection, intervention, sentencing, treatment, and supervision methods. Although there is evidence that zoophilia and besti-ality have existed for millennia, 1 we still do not have reliable information on the prevalence of the behavior or what significance it might have. Academic research and reliable statistics are scant largely because zoophilia (i.e., the human sexual interest in or attraction to an animal) and bestiality (i.e., the deliberate use of animals for human sexual purposes) are generally considered rare and unworthy of serious research or debate. 2 Additionally, reports of animal cruelty are often perceived as less important to investigate or prosecute. 3 As a result, zoophilia and besti-ality are understudied, and usable statistics are artificially low or not available at all. The primary goal of this study was to create a baseline of reliable and verifiable data through a detailed examination of 456 bestiality-related arrests that occurred in the United States over a 40-year period. Literature Review Estimates of Prevalence

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GUIDE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BESTIALITY

Sheriff's and Deputy Magazine, a publication of the National Sheriff's Association, 2019

Animal sexual abuse happens far more often than most people realize. Although the studies are lim... more Animal sexual abuse happens far more often than most people realize. Although the studies are limited and out of date, it has been estimated that as much as 5% of men and women in the United States are sexually interested in, or have committed a sex act with, dogs, horses, and other animals. More recent studies indicate a link between committing sex acts with animals and acts of interpersonal violence and human sexual assault. This article is based on a study of 456 bestiality-related arrests in the United States, which confirms that a link exists, although it is unclear whether bestiality is an indicator or predictor of other forms of criminal behavior. The study also indicates that animal sexual abuse is committed by a diverse population of offenders who commit a range of acts, and that investigation of animal sex abuse incidents may require unique skills and resources.

Bestiality and child sexual offending-what arrests tell us.docx

Pornography and Bestiality: The Miller Test

It's often difficult to define what should be considered obscene. Cultural differences as well a... more

Obscenity, Pornography, and Bestiality: One man's trash is another man's treasure

Defining "obscenity" is a difficult task. What is pornographic to one viewer may be merely eroti... more Defining "obscenity" is a difficult task. What is pornographic to one viewer may be merely erotic, or even uninteresting to another. As the number of bestiality cases grow, there's a growing body of evidence that child and animal pornography play a significant role. This paper briefly discusses how obscenity is defined in the United States and the United Kingdom, and how efforts are in place to reduce the social impact in both countries.

Link between bestiality & human sexual offending

Understanding Bestiality and Social Responses to Offenders

Bestiality and child sexual offending: what arrests tell us

Although sexual contact between humans and animals has occurred throughout history, we know surpr... more Although sexual contact between humans and animals has occurred throughout history, we know surprisingly little about why or how often it happens. There is scant academic research focused on bestiality, and what does exist is often outdated, pseudoscientific, or based on very small or specific populations, such as incarcerated violent sex offenders. The purpose of this presentation is to share preliminary results on a subset of data drawn from original research on 491 adjudicated cases in the U.S involving some form of bestiality. This original research suggests that there is wide variability in the nature and extent of prosecution of animal sex offenders, the number of women and couples involved in deviant behavior is rising, animal sex offenders frequently commit additional criminal behavior, and nearly half (42.6%) of the offenders in the sample sexually offend or exploit children or minors.

ZOOSADISM: Summary Information for Law Enforcement Professionals

When Animal Cruelty becomes Zoosadism, 2022

Sexualized animal abuse is a spectrum of behavior that involves direct sex acts with an animal or... more Sexualized animal abuse is a spectrum of behavior that involves direct sex acts with an animal or acts that result in sexual arousal or release for the perpetrator. Animal cruelty is prohibited in all 50 states; sadistic animal torture and its depiction are specifically prohibited under U.S. federal law. Zoosadism (sometimes referred to as "animal crushing:") has serious and widespread implications for public safety. Individuals who commit extreme animal cruelty are different from people who starve, neglect, or simply "beat" their animals out of frustration or anger. Animal sadists are similar to sexual murderers of people - they plan ahead, have lowered inhibition, are more impulsive, lack empathy, use ruse and manipulation to acquire victims, and are prone to sexual violence with both humans and animals.