Hello everyone!
This post might be unpleasant, and it is a little long.
I am sort of a fangirl of Brady. I feel terrible about his life, and there's lust. He's in some of my nightmares. They always involve murder in some way, whether I find out what he did and tell on him, I warn someone he's after them, or he's got me cornered. Some of them are perverted, but never romantic. Everyone reading this has probably noticed a good amount of women gushing over real or fictional criminals. Hybristophilia is the sexual attraction to violent or dangerous people. There are two types: passive and aggressive. Passive is excited by someone else's crimes, but they have no desire at all to take part in them. They would never participate in any way. Aggressive is the opposite. They are aroused by someone's cruelties, and they want to be involved. They will do awful things with their partner, hide evidence or destroy it, lie for them, clean everything up, manipulate people, even lure victims in for him to beat, rape, or murder. They will also plan crimes for the person, and some will try to persuade them to do things. Hybristophilia is not well known. While many people are aware of women liking bad guys, most don't know the term for it, or why it occurs. This fetish is also a psychological disorder, and it is specific to females. Like with the majority of fetishes ending in "philia", this one has a negative reputation, and people should try to keep it hidden. Some Hybristophiliacs lose their relatives, partner, friends, reputation, or job over it. Many who talk about it with strangers or acquaintances are told they are insane or disgusting, and it keeps them from making new friends. Those who talk about it online, are harassed and reported often.
Why does Hybristophilia happen?
There are numerous reasons, I will list them from my least favorite to favorite.
Abused as a child: Some say that these women were mistreated as kids, so they grow up used to abuse, and they think it is normal.
Dad issues: Similar to above. The woman has a horrible Dad, or an absent one, and it damages her esteem. She seeks out cruel men to try to cope.
Bored with life: She doesn't feel fulfilled, and she thinks dating a cruel, mentally ill, or evil man will fix it.
Insecure: She has no self love or respect, so she aims low and clings to a criminal.
Empathy and compassion: She feels great empathy and care for others. She sees the criminal as a victim, and she wants nothing more than to support him, and do what she thinks is helping.
Nature: In ancient times, men had to hunt animals and sometimes kill other humans to survive. It isn't necessary now. I think the primal part of some women's minds confuse aggression, insanity, or evil with masculinity. Criminals are usually cunning, manipulative, forceful, and determined. These can help people get ahead in life, which can equate to a man hanging survival skills. Plenty of women lust for killers. This is because the act of taking lives tells her primal, subconscious mind that he has control and power, and he is able to protect himself and them, if they were together. It has been proven that women are attracted to the Dark Triad, Cunning, Narcissism, and Psychopathy/Sociopathy. Sociopaths and Psychopaths who do choose crime, usually end up getting lots of mail, and women fight over them.
I am a passive Hybristophiliac, and an Empath. I am enamored with one real killer, and Norman Bates as well. (The novel version, movie, and tv) Again, with Brady, I don't have any warm and fuzzy feelings. There's only lust, empathy, and pity. I know firsthand about losing people over speaking my mind, and being hated online. I knew they would happen, but I don't like hiding things, I see it as deceitful. If any of you who see this are attracted to any real of fictional criminals, I hope you don't tell people you know. It will be easier if you avoid being labeled as sick, and having people walk out of your life because they think it means you are evil, and you will hurt someone.