Many genetic disorders associated with intellectual disability are characterized by unique behavioral phenotypes which may have serious psychological consequences such as increasing the risk for sexual abuse (SA). Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS), a severe neurogenetic syndrome with uncontrollable hyperphagia and high threshold for pain, is an excellent example of this issue. The absence of reports on SA in PWS highlights the lack of awareness to the topic. Our aim was to report on SA in individuals with PWS, describe its unique characteristics, and offer recommendations for its prevention. Caregivers of all individuals with genetically confirmed PWS living in the only two residential facilities designated for PWS in Israel were interviewed for a history of sexual behavior and abuse, and medical data were collected from their files. SA was reported in a quarter of the sample. In most of the cases (78%), food reward was used by the perpetrators to attract their victims. Age at SA ranged from 11 to 29 years. Most of the individuals did not disclose the event and some continued to initiate inappropriate sexual activity to obtain food. Characteristics unique to PWS, such as food-seeking behaviors and high threshold for pain, likely contribute to the risk for SA. These findings suggest that syndrome-specific programs for SA prevention should be considered for individuals with any genetic syndrome with behavioral problems that may increase SA risk.

许多与智力障碍相关的遗传疾病具有独特的行为表型，这些行为表型可能会产生严重的心理后果，例如增加性虐待 (SA) 的风险。Prader-Willi 综合征 (PWS) 是一种严重的神经遗传综合征，具有无法控制的过度进食和高疼痛阈值，是该问题的一个很好的例子。PWS 中没有关于 SA 的报告突显了对该主题的认识不足。我们的目标是报告 PWS 患者的 SA，描述其独特特征，并提供预防建议。居住在以色列仅有的两个为 PWS 指定的住宅设施中的所有基因确诊 PWS 患者的看护人都接受了性行为和虐待史的采访，并从他们的档案中收集了医疗数据。四分之一的样本报告了 SA。在大多数情况下（78%），肇事者使用食物奖励来吸引受害者。SA 的年龄从 11 岁到 29 岁不等。大多数人没有透露这一事件，有些人继续进行不适当的性活动以获取食物。PWS 特有的特征，例如觅食行为和高疼痛阈值，可能会导致 SA 风险。这些研究结果表明，对于患有任何可能增加 SA 风险的行为问题的遗传综合征的个体，应考虑针对 SA 的特定综合征预防计划。大多数人没有透露这一事件，有些人继续进行不适当的性活动以获取食物。PWS 特有的特征，例如觅食行为和高疼痛阈值，可能会增加 SA 的风险。这些研究结果表明，对于患有任何可能增加 SA 风险的行为问题的遗传综合征的个体，应考虑针对 SA 的特定综合征预防计划。大多数人没有透露这一事件，有些人继续进行不适当的性活动以获取食物。PWS 特有的特征，例如觅食行为和高疼痛阈值，可能会增加 SA 的风险。这些研究结果表明，对于患有任何可能增加 SA 风险的行为问题的遗传综合征的个体，应考虑针对 SA 的特定综合征预防计划。