Sex robots could worsen impotence and sexual violence, doctors say

Getty Images | Fred Dufour | AFP

Robots in a lab of a doll factory of EXDOLL, a firm based in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian.

The study, while citing a lack of empirical evidence, said it had found little to suggest that robots will help reduce inappropriate and violent sexual behavior. It concluded that the use of sex robots could actually desensitize some people to a recognition of sexual exploitation of real humans.

“While many sexbots users may distinguish between fact and fantasy, some buyers may not, leading to concern about potentially exacerbating the risk of sexual assault and rape of actual children and adults,” the report said.

The paper’s authors also interviewed experts on the potential for sex robots to treat pedophiles and sex offenders, noting that one manufacturer has already produced lifelike child sex dolls. The paper concluded that with a lack of any real evidence it would “strongly caution” against medical professionals prescribing the robots as a form of treatment.

In April, Amazon removed child sex dolls from sale following fears they could lead to abuse of real children.

Claims that robotic sex devices could also benefit relationships were also questioned with a warning that a lack of intimacy could worsen problems such as erectile dysfunction.