what is most often a distinguishing characteristic between paraphiliacs and nonparaphiliacs?

The correct answer is Gender

When talking about sexual fetishism or sexual deviations, gender plays a huge role and is often considered to be a distinguishing characteristic between paraphiliacs, those who have sexual fetishism, and non-paraphiliacs who are people without heavy sexual fetishism. Fetishism is described as a sexual preference which is out of the ordinary or uncommon.