Offending Histories and Typologies of Suspected Sexual Offenders Identified Via Untested Sexual Assault Kits

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Lovell ◽  
Wenxuan Huang ◽  
Laura Overman ◽  
Daniel Flannery ◽  
Joanna Klingenstein
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Criminal Offending ◽  
Criminal Histories ◽  
Prior Arrest

In this study, we present findings that detail the criminal offending histories and typologies of suspected sexual offenders identified from an initiative to follow up on the testing of thousands of previously untested sexual assault kits (SAKs). This study advances our understanding of sexual offenders by incorporating data from criminal justice system records (“detected” criminal offending) with data from newly tested SAKs that were not previously adjudicated (“undetected” sexual offending). Our findings demonstrate that these offenders have extensive criminal histories, very frequently continued to offend after the SAK-associated sexual assault, and, more often than not, have criminal histories that do not include a prior arrest(s) for rape. A latent class analysis identified three classes of offenders based on their offending history, “High-Volume Generalists,” “Low-Volume Offenders,” and “Sexual Specialists.” Most were generalists, with a large proportion committing lots of serious crimes.

Patterns and predictors of reoffending among child sexual offenders: a rapid evidence assessment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Dowling ◽  
Hayley Boxall
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Child Sexual Offenders

A rapid evidence assessment was conducted to provide an updated review of reoffending research on child sexual offenders from January 2010 to March 2020. Thirty-three studies examining 55 independent samples of adult and juvenile child sexual offenders were reviewed. Across most studies, rates of sexual reoffending were 15 percent or less, and rates of general reoffending were between 20 and 54 percent. The evidence suggests that the cumulative likelihood of both general and sexual reoffending increases until about two to four years after contact with the criminal justice system, then stabilises. Escalation from non-contact to contact sexual offending is not common. Finally, the evidence suggests that juveniles are more likely to reoffend sexually and generally than adults.

Juvenile Sexual Offenders

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 854-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Carpentier ◽  
Benoit Leclerc ◽  
Jean Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Criminal Career ◽  
Psychiatric Clinic ◽  
Juvenile Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Crimes ◽  
Hierarchical Logistic Regression

The aim of the study was to identify the factors associated with age of onset of sexual aggression, and variety and desistance of criminal activity, among adolescent sexual aggressors. The sample consisted of 351 adolescents ( M age = 15.8 years, SD = 1.8) who were assessed in an outpatient psychiatric clinic between 1992 and 2002. Recidivism data were collected after a mean follow-up period of 8 years. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses demonstrated that some variables related to childhood and adolescent development discriminated among participants who went on to follow different criminal activity trajectories. Indices of early antisocial behaviors (aggressive behavior, antisocial traits) were associated with early activation of a pattern of sexual offending as well as a polymorphic criminal career in adolescence. Findings supported previous research indicating that most adolescent sexual offenders who persist in a criminal career commit a variety of offenses and do not specialize in sexual crimes.

The Relationship Between Policy, Media, and Perceptions of Sexual Offenders Between 2007 and 2017: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802098556
Author(s):  
Judith Zatkin ◽  
Miranda Sitney ◽  
Keith Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Psychology Theory ◽  
Effects Of Media ◽  
The Relationship

Sexual violence is a prominent social problem that harms many victims every year. Perpetrators of these crimes tend to exist in a binary. Some are convicted by the criminal justice system, where they face sanctions such as jail time and registration and are demonized by society. Others never face any sanctions for harm caused and are exonerated for their actions. This review examines public perceptions of sexual offenders in the United States through the institutional-level constructs of federal policy, media, and institutional myths. A review of the literature on this topic from 2007 to 2017 produced 37 relevant articles, which were placed into three categories using thematic analysis: (1) perceptions about sexual offenders and perceiver differences, (2) media about sexual offending and effects of media consumption on perceptions of offenders, and (3) support for offender policies and effects of policy on perceptions of offenders. A review of these topics reveals that there are prominent institutional myths about sexual offending. A cyclical relationship is formed, where media perpetuates institutional myths, myths drive policy, and policy leads to media reporting. This review utilizes community psychology theory to examine and interpret the literature as well as to formulate research and intervention suggestions.

Differentiating Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Two-Country Latent Class Analysis

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-451
Author(s):  
Pascalle Spaan ◽  
Arjan Blokland ◽  
Rembert De Blander ◽  
Luc Robert ◽  
Eric Maes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Criminal Career ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Latent Classes ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Criminal Histories ◽  
History Of

Sexual offenses are often part of a larger criminal career also encompassing nonsexual crimes. However, most sexual offending typologies focus on an individual’s most recent sexual offense. We compare data from Belgian and Dutch national conviction cohorts and use latent class analysis to distinguish groups of individuals based on their history of sexual and nonsexual offenses, considering continuity and variety. The resulting classification is compared between individuals convicted of sexual offenses and individuals convicted of nonsexual offenses. Results show that four latent classes can be distinguished based on continuity and variety in criminal histories of individuals convicted of sexual offenses, and that some of these classes resemble those distinguished among individuals convicted of nonsexual offenses. We find limited overlap between these latent classes and typologies based solely on the index offense. Results show marked similarities across countries. These results challenge theories of sexual offending to incorporate patterns of nonsexual offending.

scholarly journals Developing a Typology of Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offending in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elsemiek Griemink
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Post Hoc

<p>Existing typologies of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offending are significantly limited as many have not been empirically developed or tested for their validity or reliability. Furthermore, their practical utility is limited, as many typologies classify individuals based only on the type of CSEM offending they engage in or are limited to a small number of variables. The current research addresses these issues by developing an exploratory typology of individuals who have engaged in CSEM offending using a data set of 557 individuals in New Zealand, who have been identified by the Department of Internal Affairs. A latent class analysis was conducted using their offence characteristics to identify distinct subgroups within the sample. Follow-up tests were conducted to evaluate how these groups differed on various individual characteristics to develop a more detailed understanding of the individuals within each group. Results found four distinct subgroups of individuals who varied according to their level of engagement with the material, technical capability, type of CSEM offending, and the type of material they searched for. Post-hoc tests also revealed significant differences in access to children, previous sexual offending, and previous CSEM offending between groups. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.</p>

Development of a Sexual Assault Event Typology Based on Event Attributes

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1709-1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Ann Perry ◽  
Thomas J. Dover ◽  
Steven L. Lancaster ◽  
Nicole E. Allen ◽  
Timothy G. Keel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Important Distinction ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Indicator Variables

The current study utilizes data from a national violent crime database to develop a set of classifications for sexual assault events. It expands upon previous typology literature by focusing on behaviors exhibited during a sexual assault incident rather than offender motive. This is an important distinction as law enforcement personnel need to begin their work of suspect development prior to when the offender is actually identified. The current study uses information about incidents that involve sexual offenders who were not necessarily in mental health treatment programs and/or custody. This approach enables the examination of incidents that have not been investigated in previous typology research. Twelve indicator variables were used to examine 4,476 incidents in which adult males offended against adult females. Seven event groups were identified through latent class analysis. Results indicate that level of violence, offender approach, additional sexual activity, and trauma location were class defining event attributes.

Injury Matters: On Female-Perpetrated Sex Crimes

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (19-20) ◽  
pp. 3735-3766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Budd ◽  
David M. Bierie
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Increased Risk

Despite the importance of studying sexual assaults perpetrated by women, the field knows very little about female sexual offenders’ (FSOs) use of violence or physical injury resulting from these assaults. This study draws more than 20 years of National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data reported to police (1992-2014) to identify factors that distinguish between female perpetrated incidents of sexual assault that result in severe, minor, or no physical victim injuries above and beyond the sexual assault itself. Using a multinomial logistic regression model (MNLM), 15,928 incidents of FSO-perpetrated sexual assault were analyzed from the NIBRS. The results showed that the extent of victim injuries sustained during the sexual assault incidents was associated with a number of factors, including the presence of a female victim, the age of victim, a greater number of offenders, and the presence of weapons. In particular, incidents that resulted in major victim injuries were significantly associated with alcohol and drug use by the perpetrator. In general, incidents with young children were at increased risk of a sexual assault resulting in a major or minor victim injury. Although further investigation is needed to continue to better understand female sexual offending behaviors, these findings suggest that certain incident characteristics increase the likelihood of the assault to involve the use of violence by an FSO against her victims.

scholarly journals Developing a Typology of Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offending in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elsemiek Griemink
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Post Hoc

<p>Existing typologies of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offending are significantly limited as many have not been empirically developed or tested for their validity or reliability. Furthermore, their practical utility is limited, as many typologies classify individuals based only on the type of CSEM offending they engage in or are limited to a small number of variables. The current research addresses these issues by developing an exploratory typology of individuals who have engaged in CSEM offending using a data set of 557 individuals in New Zealand, who have been identified by the Department of Internal Affairs. A latent class analysis was conducted using their offence characteristics to identify distinct subgroups within the sample. Follow-up tests were conducted to evaluate how these groups differed on various individual characteristics to develop a more detailed understanding of the individuals within each group. Results found four distinct subgroups of individuals who varied according to their level of engagement with the material, technical capability, type of CSEM offending, and the type of material they searched for. Post-hoc tests also revealed significant differences in access to children, previous sexual offending, and previous CSEM offending between groups. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.</p>

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