Examining the Continuity of Juvenile Sex Offending Into Adulthood and Subsequent Patterns of Sex and General Recidivism

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maude Beaudry-Cyr ◽  
Wesley G. Jennings ◽  
Kristen M. Zgoba ◽  
Richard Tewksbury
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sex Offending ◽  
Potential Link ◽  
Using Data ◽  
General Recidivism

Current sex offending legislation and public opinion present an image of sexual offenders as specialized predators who are likely to exhibit continued sexually deviant behavior over the life-course. Although sex offending continuity and post-release recidivism has been independently assessed in prior research, the potential link between sex offending continuity and post-release recidivism has yet to be investigated. Using data collected at two different time points from a sample of sex offenders who served a prison sentence for an adult sex offense, the present study examines the prevalence of sex offending continuity, and its potential linkages with subsequent sex and general recidivism as well as identifying risk factors related to these outcomes. The multivariate results indicate a low rate of sex offending continuity in general but suggest the presence of identifiable risk factors that predict sex offending continuity. Specifically, non-sexual juvenile offending is the most notable of the numerous risk factors found to be associated with those displaying sex offending continuity from adolescence into adulthood. Subsequent analyses also reveal a significant association between sex offending continuity and sexual recidivism but not general recidivism. Policy implications, study limitations, and directions for future research are also discussed.

Victim–offender overlap among sex offenders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley G. Jennings ◽  
Caitlyn Meade
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexually Abused ◽  
Essay Review ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sex Offending ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks

The criminological and psychological literature has generally focused solely on either victims or offenders, as has research on sex offending. Recently, however, researchers have investigated the overlap among victims and offenders. Evidence has demonstrated that individuals who have experienced these two outcomes (e.g., victimization and offending) are not always mutually exclusive. Recognizing the linkages between sex offending and sexual victimization, the authors of this essay review the theoretical frameworks and empirical research exploring the sexually abused/sexual abuser hypothesis or the victim–offender overlap among sexual offenders and sexual victims. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

The Cycle of Violence: Examining the Impact of Maltreatment Early in Life on Adult Offending

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 466-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Reckdenwald ◽  
Christina Mancini ◽  
Eric Beauregard
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Cycle Of Violence ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Sex Offending ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Type Of Abuse ◽  
The Impact

Over the last two decades, considerable scholarly attention has been directed toward explaining the “cycle of violence”—a phenomenon whereby victimization and offending appear inexorably linked to one another. Extant work has greatly contributed to our understanding of this cycle for different types of abuse and different types of offending, such as sex offending. The link between sexual abuse and later offending cannot be overstated, with research suggesting the impact of sexual abuse on sex offending to be more pronounced than any other type of abuse. However, in the literature, questions remain regarding sex offenders’ patterns of offending. Specifically, it remains unclear whether type of abuse experienced has a differential impact on type of offending in adulthood. Using retrospective data from sexual offenders in a Canadian penitentiary, we address this research gap by examining the impact of abuse experienced during childhood and adolescence on various types of offending in adulthood. Results indicate partial support for the cycle of violence hypothesis—the extent of criminal involvement can be explained as being a consequence of prior maltreatment; however, findings also suggest refinements to the theory, because the influence of type of abuse varies depending on the type of offending examined. Research and policy implications are discussed.

Do Developmental and Life-Course Theory Risk Factors Equally Predict Age of Onset Among Juvenile Sexual and Nonsexual Offenders?

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Rosa ◽  
Bryanna Fox ◽  
Wesley G. Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Juvenile Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminological Theory ◽  
Sex Offending ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
Nonsexual Offenders

Previous empirical inquiries into the etiology of juvenile sex offending have been largely atheoretical. Consequently, a call for studies conducted utilizing developmental and life-course (DLC) criminological theory has been made to better understand the onset, development, risk, and protective factors of juvenile sex offending. Therefore, this study contributes to the discussion by testing key predictions proposed by the DLC framework regarding the theoretical correlates of early onset offending, as applied to juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) and juvenile nonsex offenders (JNSOs). Drawing on a data set of more than 64,000 youth referred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, results indicate that although the number and severity of risk factors for early age of onset differ between the JSOs and JNSOs, the specific type of risk factors that emerged align with DLC theory predictions. The implications of these findings and contributions for DLC theory are also discussed.

Comparing the Central Eight Risk Factors: Do They Differ Across Age Groups of Sex Offenders?

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (13) ◽  
pp. 4278-4294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Wilpert ◽  
Joan E. van Horn ◽  
Cyril Boonmann
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
Dynamic Risk Factors ◽  
Rnr Model ◽  
Risk Need Responsivity ◽  
Reducing Recidivism ◽  
General Recidivism

Following the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model, cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered most effective in reducing recidivism when based on dynamic risk factors. As studies have found differences of these factors across age, exploring this seems beneficial. The current study investigates the Central Eight (C8) risk factors across six age groups of outpatient sex offenders ( N = 650). Results showed that recidivism rates and age were inversely related from 19 years and up. Half of the C8 did not predict general recidivism at all, substance abuse, antisocial cognition, antisocial associates, and history of antisocial behavior in only one or several age groups. However, factors differed between age groups, with the youngest group demonstrating the most dysfunction in several areas and the oldest group the least. It is concluded that the C8 risk factors seem to lose significance in the older age groups. Results may benefit targeting treatment goals.

Is This Kid a Likely Experimenter or a Likely Persister? An Analysis of Individual-Level and Family-Level Risk Factors Predicting Multiple Offending Among a Group of Adjudicated Youth

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (13) ◽  
pp. 4024-4045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan Buker ◽  
Ayhan Erbay
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Adjudicated Youth ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Family Level

To implement effective diversion programs and determine for a well-suited intervention strategy, ascertaining who, among the adjudicated youth, is more likely to involve in multiple offending, rather than desisting after an initial delinquent behavior, is of great significance. The overall objective of this study, therefore, is to contribute to the existing knowledge on assessing the risks for multiple offending during juvenile adjudication processes. In this regard, this study examined the predicting powers of several individual-level and family-level risk factors on multiple offending during adolescence, based on a data set derived from court-ordered social examination reports (SERs) on 400 adjudicated youth in Turkey. Two binomial regression models were implemented to test the predictor values of various risk factors from these two domains. Results indicated the following as significant predictors of multiple offending among the subjects: younger age of onset in delinquency, dropping out of school, having delinquent/drug abusing (risky) friends, being not able to share problems with the family, increased number of siblings, and having a domestically migrated family. Conclusively, these findings were compared with the existing literature, and the policy implications and recommendations for future research were discussed.

A Preliminary Descriptive Model of Expertise Related Competence in Child Sexual Offending

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Patrice A Bourke
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Offender Rehabilitation

<p>Child sexual offending is a great area of concern to the public and researchers alike. The damaging effects of Child Sexual Abuse are numerous and frequently enduring. Research in sexual offending has tended to focus on therapeutic interventions and effectiveness as well as the aetiological aspects of offending. Much of this research has focused on offender deficits associated with sexual crimes that are the target of intervention programs. There has been little attention paid to the view that sexual offenders appear to learn from their previous offending and in some cases acquire a considerable degree of offence related competency. In other words, some sexual offenders appear to develop high levels of expertise. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are 'expert' offenders within the child sexual offending arena who display greater competence in utilising grooming techniques, selecting targets, interpreting and evaluating social and environmental cues, and who possess extensive offence scripts. In this exploratory study, 47 male child sexual offenders were interviewed in New Zealand prison based Sexual Offender Rehabilitation Units about their offences as well as their lives prior to and post offending. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Grounded Theory to generate a model of offence specific decision making. Results indicated that child sex offenders vary on the above dimensions and effectively span the range from 'novice' to 'expert' offenders with respect to the quality of their decision making and their domain relevant knowledge structures. By using the general principles of expertise as a conceptual framework, a developmental model of expertise in child sex offenders in New Zealand was constructed. The implications of the constructed model for theory and treatment are discussed and suggestions are made for the direction of future research.</p>

A Preliminary Descriptive Model of Expertise Related Competence in Child Sexual Offending

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Patrice A Bourke
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Offender Rehabilitation

<p>Child sexual offending is a great area of concern to the public and researchers alike. The damaging effects of Child Sexual Abuse are numerous and frequently enduring. Research in sexual offending has tended to focus on therapeutic interventions and effectiveness as well as the aetiological aspects of offending. Much of this research has focused on offender deficits associated with sexual crimes that are the target of intervention programs. There has been little attention paid to the view that sexual offenders appear to learn from their previous offending and in some cases acquire a considerable degree of offence related competency. In other words, some sexual offenders appear to develop high levels of expertise. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are 'expert' offenders within the child sexual offending arena who display greater competence in utilising grooming techniques, selecting targets, interpreting and evaluating social and environmental cues, and who possess extensive offence scripts. In this exploratory study, 47 male child sexual offenders were interviewed in New Zealand prison based Sexual Offender Rehabilitation Units about their offences as well as their lives prior to and post offending. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Grounded Theory to generate a model of offence specific decision making. Results indicated that child sex offenders vary on the above dimensions and effectively span the range from 'novice' to 'expert' offenders with respect to the quality of their decision making and their domain relevant knowledge structures. By using the general principles of expertise as a conceptual framework, a developmental model of expertise in child sex offenders in New Zealand was constructed. The implications of the constructed model for theory and treatment are discussed and suggestions are made for the direction of future research.</p>

Social Capital’s Influence on Environmental Concern in China: An Analysis of the 2010 Chinese General Social Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 844-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Hao ◽  
Jay L. Michaels ◽  
Shannon Elizabeth Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
General Social Survey ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Chinese General Social Survey

This study examines the ways in which social capital influences people’s environmental concern in China. Using data obtained from the 2010 Chinese General Social Survey, we measure social capital through social networks and trust. We find that the ways people think about and act toward others influence the ways they think about and act toward the environment. The structural equation modeling results suggest that one’s connections with others, including socializing with relatives and friends as well as general social networking, are significantly and positively related to various dimensions of environmental concern. Greater trust is positively related to one’s willingness to make sacrifices for the benefit of the environment but is also negatively related to perceived dangerousness of pollution. Our findings highlight the value of social capital in promoting environmental concern. We discuss these findings in the context of existing literature, and propose policy implications and suggest directions for future research.

scholarly journals A Dynamic Risk Factors–Based Typology of Sexual Offenders

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (14) ◽  
pp. 1623-1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Martínez-Catena ◽  
Santiago Redondo ◽  
Nina Frerich ◽  
Anthony R. Beech
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Child Molesters ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
Dynamic Risk Factors ◽  
Dynamic Risk ◽  
Criminogenic Needs ◽  
The One

The purpose of this article was to develop an Spanish psychometric typology of sexual offenders taking into account dynamic risk factors. The sample comprised 94 sex offenders imprisoned in Spain (52 rapists and 42 child molesters). The analysis yielded two different offender categories based on the subjects’ criminogenic needs level (high and low). The results also showed that social desirability has a strong influence on the developed typologies, whereas the offence type, sociodemographic characteristics, and criminal history do not. A dynamic risk factors typology, such as the one proposed here, could help criminal and correctional facilities to fulfill their remit. It could also be useful for linking treatment intensity to offenders’ criminogenic needs, as well as providing a platform for recidivism risk assessments.

Failure to Register as a Predictor of Sex Offense Recidivism

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Zgoba ◽  
Jill Levenson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Megan's Law ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Registered Sex Offenders ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Sex Offense

This quasi-experimental study analyzed the recidivism outcomes of 1,125 sexual offenders in two groups. The first group comprised 644 registered sex offenders who were convicted of a sex crime and at some point failed to register after release from prison. The comparison group contained 481 registered sex offenders released from prison during a similar time frame who did not fail to register after their release. The groups were then tracked for both sexual and nonsexual offenses to determine whether failure to register under Megan’s Law is predictive of reoffending. Failure to register was not a significant predictor of sexual recidivism, casting doubt on the belief that sex offenders who are noncompliant with registration are especially sexually dangerous. Few differences between groups were detected, but FTR offenders were more likely to have sexually assaulted a stranger and to have adult female victims, further challenging the stereotype of the child predator who absconds to evade detection. Potential policy implications are discussed.

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