Do people perceive juvenile sex offenders who are gay and Christian as hypocrites? The effects of shared and dual identity defendants

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-237
Author(s):  
Rachel Altholz ◽  
Jessica Salerno
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Legal Decision ◽  
Juvenile Sex Offender ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Black Sheep ◽  
Dual Identity ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
Legal Context

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a criminal offender’s dual social identity affects judgments. Drawing from similarity-leniency and black sheep theories, the authors tested and discuss whether these effects could be explained by legal decision makers’ perceptions of hypocrisy or shared identity with the defendant. Design/methodology/approach The authors recruited 256 Christian and non-Christian adults to read a vignette about a juvenile sex offender who was either Christian or non-Christian, and heterosexual or gay. The authors measured participants’ punitiveness toward the offender. Findings Results revealed that legal decision makers were more punitive when they were Christian compared to non-Christian, and the defendant was gay compared to heterosexual. Further, legal decision makers perceived themselves as more similar to the defendant when they were non-Christian compared to Christian, and the defendant was heterosexual compared to gay. Finally, only when the defendant was Christian, legal decision makers perceived him as more hypocritical when he was gay compared to heterosexual. Originality/value This is the first study to investigate whether gay defendants might be particularly discriminated against if they are also Christian. It is also the first to test the black sheep and similarity-leniency theories in the legal context of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Christian defendants.

The juvenile sex offender

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrien Bijleveld ◽  
Chantal van den Berg ◽  
Jan Hendriks
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Juvenile Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminal Career ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Juvenile Sex Offender ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Crucial Information

Juvenile sexual offending is often regarded as a precursor of serious and continued sexual offending in adulthood, but there has been little empirical evidence supporting this assumption. Could juvenile sexual offending be just a ‘passing phase’? The study discussed in this essay follows the criminal career about 1,600 juvenile sex offenders from early adolescence into adulthood. A comprehensive view of the entire criminal career is presented to establish whether juvenile sexual offending is a precursor of continued (sexual) offending in adulthood or if (sexual) offending is non-chronic for most. The sexual recidivists in the sample are identified, and this group is used to establish the risk factors associated with continued sexual offending. These risk factors are compared to the ones used in risk assessment instruments for (juvenile) sex offenders. This study holds crucial information for policy and theory regarding juvenile sex offenders.

Sex offender registration and notification laws: thoughts from registered sex offenders in three states

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra Bowen ◽  
Erika Frenzel ◽  
Jason D. Spraitz
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Sex Offender Registration ◽  
Collateral Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Registered Sex Offenders ◽  
Self Worth

Purpose – In the USA, sex offender policy research has focussed on demographic characteristics of registrants, recidivism rates of registrants, accuracy and completeness of listed information, and the collateral consequences experienced by registrants. This growing body of research demonstrates the need to explore offender perceptions of sex offender registration and notification (SORN) laws. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether registration related variables influenced sex offenders’ opinions about the registry, compliance with the registry, self-worth, and deterrence perceptions. Design/methodology/approach – This paper utilized a sample of 286 male registered sex offenders (RSO) in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. Four multivariate regression models were run to examine registration related variables impact on sex offender opinions of the registry, registry compliance, feelings of self-worth, and perceptions of deterrence. Findings – The multivariate regression results suggest registration related variables have a significant impact on RSO opinion of the registry, compliance with the registry, and opinions of self. Specifically, the number of collateral consequences that one experienced, police contacts that RSOs had, and being recognized as a sex offender were significantly related to the dependent variables in the regression models. Originality/value – This study adds to the body of research that indicates sex offenders experience a myriad of consequences that are outside the scope of the registered sex offender laws. Policy implications and societal consequences of these findings are discussed, as well as a future research agenda.

Understanding landlord perspectives on applicants with sex offenses

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Naomi Kunstler ◽  
Jack Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Sex Offenses ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sex Offender Registry ◽  
Stable Housing ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to understand landlords’ attitudes toward applicants with histories of sex offenses and landlords’ willingness to broaden eligibility criteria for tenancy. Design/methodology/approach A convenience sample of 50 landlords in Connecticut were interviewed. The content of interviews was analyzed to examine how often a landlord would be open to renting to individuals on the sex offender registry and what conditions affect their decisions. Findings In total, 44% of landlords would not rent to adults with histories of sex offenses under any circumstance, but 8% of landlords reported they would rent to such individuals and an additional 36% of landlords were open to it with a high threshold for other indicators of good tenancy such as stable housing history, good credit and timely rental payments. Practical implications These findings not only illustrate the real-world challenges in finding housing for adults with histories of sex offenses but also highlight opportunities in working with landlords. Originality/value There has been little examination of housing adults with sex offenders from the perspective of landlords, which is important to understand to address this difficult and sensitive issue.

Transgender sex offenders: gender dysphoria and sexual offending

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-267
Author(s):  
Kirpal Kaur Sahota
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Gender Dysphoria ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Criminal Justice Professionals

Purpose Transgender sex offenders are a small, complex and atypical group. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the issues in relationship to the assessment of gender dysphoria in transgender sex offenders and approaches to risk management. Design/methodology/approach Clinical and research experience as a Gender Specialist and Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist who has managed sex offender populations has informed this publication. Findings Little is known about the relationship between gender dysphoria and criminality. More research is required to develop a typology of transgender sex offenders and develop actuarial risk instruments. Protective factors in relation to gender affirmative care are also important to understand. Research limitations/implications There is little empirical research to guide gender specialists and criminal justice professionals in the management of gender dysphoria and address risk and recidivism in transgender offender populations. The treatment of gender dysphoria could result in improved well-being and better psychosocial adjustment but cannot be relied to reduce future recidivism. Practical implications There is no evidence that treatment of gender dysphoria reduces risk and recidivism in transgender sex offenders and that research is required to identify specific gender related dynamic risk factors. Social implications Recommendations are directly relevant to the work of prison and probation staff, community supervisors and gender identity specialists. Originality/value As far as the author is aware it is the first paper on the assessment and management of gender diverse sex offenders integrating approaches to gender dysphoria assessment and treatment and risk management. It has implication for gender identity specialists, criminal justice professionals, research and policy.

Does the adapted sex offender treatment programme reduce cognitive distortions? A meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Cognitive Distortions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Treatment Programme ◽  
Sex Offender Treatment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Treatment Length

Purpose For the 3.8 per cent of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) who have offended sexually, the main form of treatment is the group-based, cognitive-behavioural, adapted sex offender treatment programme (ASOTP) that focusses on challenging cognitive distortions condoning sex offending. The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of how effective the ASOTP is at reducing ID sex offenders’ cognitive distortions. Design/methodology/approach Three databases were searched systematically: PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Web of Science. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding 118 participants. Using a random-effects model, effect sizes were calculated using pre- and post-treatment scores on a measure of cognitive distortions. The standardised mean difference (SMD) was 1.77 (95 per cent CI: 1.06, 2.46), which was statistically significant (p<0.001) and “large”. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that this SMD was robust, and a check for publication bias revealed that it was unlikely that the “file drawer problem” confounded the meta-analysis. Findings These results indicated that the ASOTP can significantly reduce ID sex offenders’ cognitive distortions, regardless of treatment length, IQ level, language abilities, or offence type. Consistent with earlier reports, longer treatment resulted in the greatest reductions: the optimum treatment length was 24 months. Research limitations/implications The ASOTP’s current evidence is comprised wholly of case and quasi-experimental studies, none of which employed control groups. This paper highlights how there is a dire need for high-quality experimental evaluation of the ASOTP. Practical implications Clinicians are advised to continue using the ASOTP as the main treatment for ID sex offenders until the effectiveness of the ASOTP is further examined using randomised controlled trials. Originality/value This is the first meta-analytic review of the effectiveness of the ASOTP.

The Juvenile Sex Offender

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal van Den Berg ◽  
Catrien Bijleveld ◽  
Jan Hendriks
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Juvenile Sex Offenders ◽  
Participation Rates ◽  
Juvenile Sex Offender ◽  
Entire Sample ◽  
Dutch Sample ◽  
Offending Patterns

In this article, we investigate whether the life events of marriage, parenthood, and employment were associated with general offending for a Dutch sample of 498 juvenile sex offenders (JSOs). In previous empirical studies, these life events were found to limit adult general offending in the population as well as high-risk samples. A hybrid random effects model is used to investigate within-individual changes of these life events in association with general offending. We also investigated whether the findings differed for child abusers, peer abusers, and group offenders, as they have distinct background profiles. We found that JSOs make limited transitions into the state of marriage, parenthood, and employment, showing overall stagnating participation rates. For the entire sample of JSOs, employment was found to be associated with a decrease in offending. Group offenders benefited most from employment. Marriage and parenthood were not associated with the general offending patterns, whereas for child abusers, parenthood was associated with an increase in offending. We conclude that policies aimed at guidance toward employment, or inclusion into conventional society, may be effective for JSOs.

Shame and blame: Secondary stigma among families of convicted sex offenders

2021 ◽  
pp. 174889582110173
Author(s):  
Douglas Evans ◽  
Adam Trahan ◽  
Kaleigh Laird
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The United States ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Sex Offender Registry

The detriment of incarceration experienced by the formerly incarcerated has been increasingly explored in the literature on reentry. A tangential but equally concerning issue that has recently received more research attention is the effect on family members of the incarcerated. The stigma of a criminal conviction is most apparent among families of convicted sex offenders, who experience consequences parallel to those of their convicted relative. Drawing from interviews with 30 individuals with a family member incarcerated for a sex offence in the United States, this study explores manifestations of stigma due to familial association. The findings suggest that families face negative treatment from social networks and criminal justice officials, engage in self-blame and that the media’s control over the narrative exacerbates family members’ experiences. Given the pervasiveness of criminal justice system contact, the rapid growth of the sex offender registry in the United States, and the millions of family members peripherally affected by one or both, justice system reforms are needed to ensure that family members are shielded from the harms of incarceration and registration.

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