scholarly journals Sex Offenses Perpetrated Against Older Adults: A Multivariate Analysis of Crime Scene Behaviors

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052092863
Author(s):  
Louise Almond ◽  
Martha Sainsbury ◽  
Michelle McManus
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Abused ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Crime Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Background Characteristics ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Offending Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to thematically explore the relationship between crime scene behaviors and background characteristics of offenders who commit sexual offenses against female victims aged 60 years or more. Research and understanding of offense behaviors in this area is extremely limited; therefore, the study sought to provide a preliminary understanding and multivariate model of offense behaviors in cases where older female adults were sexually abused. Twenty-seven crime scene behaviors from 143 rape or attempted rape cases of an older adult victim were analyzed; frequency data were computed to provide base rate information, and Smallest Space Analysis provided a visual representation of the co-occurrence of crime scene behaviors. Three distinct dominant themes were identified, in which 56% of offenses displayed themes of Involvement (22%), Control (17%), and Hostility (16%). The relationship between each dominant theme and selected background characteristics was then analyzed. For example, offenders displaying an Involvement theme were found to be significantly less likely to have prior convictions. Significance was also found in the relationship between dominant themes and a “theft and kindred offence other” preconviction background characteristic. The findings demonstrate offending behavior can be separated into three distinct themes, providing an explanation of offender subtypes and supporting previous models found in other types of sexual offending. Applications for law enforcement agencies regarding identified themes and links with likely offender background characteristics are highlighted. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed.

A Chip Off the Old Block: The Impact of Fathers on Sexual Offending Behavior

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483801989846
Author(s):  
Miranda H. Sitney ◽  
Keith L. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Risk Markers ◽  
Prevention Programming ◽  
Systematic Account ◽  
Juvenile Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Offending Behavior ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Impact

While parenting factors are commonly included as early risk markers for sexual aggression, data specific to paternal impacts on sexual offending are scattered. This review provides a thorough and systematic account of what is known regarding the fathers of sexual offenders. Thirty-four studies were categorized according to four distinct research questions, each addressing theoretical mechanisms by which fathers may influence the violent sexual behavior of their sons. The results suggest that the strongest impacts occur when sons are witness to their fathers engaging in acts of sexual abuse or domestic violence, in accordance with social learning theory. Father–son attachment or relationship quality also appears to have a measurable impact on the son’s engagement in sexual violence. However, paternal demographics and characteristics were generally ineffective at predicting sons’ sexual offenses. Finally, the differences between fathers of adult and juvenile sexual offenders are explored. Implications of those findings for research and applied interventions are included as they may be informative for prevention programming.

The Development and Validation of the Cognitions of Internet Sexual Offending (C-ISO) Scale

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 907-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Paquette ◽  
Franca Cortoni
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Classical Test Theory ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Development And Validation

Tools designed to measure the cognitions of individuals who engage in sexual activities with children over the Internet are either based on knowledge about men who had committed contact sexual offenses or cognitive phenomena not specifically associated to offending behaviors. Thus, there is no validated tool specifically designed to assess the offense-supportive cognitions of men who use the Internet to sexually offend children. This study developed and validated the Cognitions of Internet Sexual Offending (C-ISO) scale. A sample of 241 men with online and contact sexual as well as with nonsexual offenses completed the C-ISO scale and its psychometric properties, and latent structure was analyzed using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT), resulting in a final version containing 31 items. The analyses indicate that the C-ISO has excellent psychometric properties and discriminates men with online sexual offenses from those with contact sexual and nonsexual offenses. Implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

The Motivation-Facilitation Model of Sexual Offending

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Seto
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Child Pornography ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mating Effort ◽  
Antisocial Personality ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Young Adolescents ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Sex Drive

In this article, I describe the motivation-facilitation model of sexual offending, which identifies the traits of paraphilia, high sex drive, and intense mating effort as primary motivations for sexual offenses, as well as trait (e.g., antisocial personality) and state (e.g., intoxication) factors that can facilitate acting on these motivations when opportunities exist. Originally developed to explain contact sexual offending against children, the motivation-facilitation model was subsequently extended as an explanation for child pornography offending and for online solicitations of young adolescents. Here, I argue it has the potential to be expanded to explain other forms of sexual offending, including sexual assaults of adults and noncontact offenses involving exhibitionism or voyeurism. In this review, I critically examine the evidence for and against the model, discuss its limitations, and identify critical gaps for future research.

Time-Series Analyses of the Impact of Sex Offender Registration and Notification Law Implementation and Subsequent Modifications on Rates of Sexual Offenses

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 1483-1512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff A. Bouffard ◽  
LaQuana N. Askew
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sex Offender Registration ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Time Series Analyses ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Sex offender registration and notification (SORN) laws were implemented to protect communities by increasing public awareness, and these laws have expanded over time to include registration by more types of offenders. Despite widespread implementation, research provides only inconsistent support for the impact of SORN laws on incidence of sexual offending. Using data from a large metropolitan area in Texas over the time period 1977 to 2012, and employing a number of time-series analyses, we examine the impact of the initial SORN implementation and two enhancements to the law. Results reveal no effect of SORN, or its subsequent modifications, on all sexual offenses or any of several specific offenses measures (e.g., crimes by repeat offenders). Implications for effective policy and future research are presented.

Exploring the Relationship Between Major Mental Illness and Sex Offending Behavior in a High-Risk Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-309
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Kelley ◽  
David Thornton ◽  
Ryan Mattek ◽  
Letitia Johnson ◽  
Gina Ambroziak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Sex Offenses ◽  
Offending Behavior ◽  
Criminogenic Needs ◽  
The Relationship

Empirically supported risk factors are predictive of sexual re-offense regardless of whether individuals suffer from a major mental illness. A small subgroup of individuals with major mental illness may be more likely to demonstrate acute psychotic symptoms at the time of their sexual offending behavior (Smith & Taylor, 1999). This study reviewed archival data from a high-risk sample to identify 55 individuals with major mental illness who had committed a total of 176 sex offenses. The relationship between acute psychiatric symptoms and criminogenic needs was explored. Most sex offenses were not temporally related to acute psychiatric symptoms. The apparent effect of mental health symptoms on criminogenic factors over the individual’s life was rated. Where acute symptoms were associated with worsened criminogenic factors, this most often involved Grievance Thinking, Poor Emotional Control, and Poor Problem-Solving. Typologies emerged based on the pattern of criminogenic needs along with demographic and offense characteristics. Assessment and treatment implications are discussed.

Behavioural Crime Linkage in Rape and Sexual Assault Cases

2020 ◽  
pp. 111-130
Author(s):  
Amy Burrell ◽  
Matthew Tonkin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Crime Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Crime Linkage ◽  
Future Research Directions

Behavioural crime linkage (BCL) analyses offender crime scene behaviour with the aim of identifying groups of crimes that share similar (and distinctive) behaviours. This allows police to infer that the same person/s were responsible for crimes, allowing them to be “linked” as a crime series. Successful BCL can increase the quantity and quality of evidence available to the police, which increase the likelihood of apprehending and successfully prosecuting the offender. This chapter will review the theoretical framework underpinning BCL (behavioural consistency and behavioural distinctiveness) and summarise key literature on rape and sexual assault - including the latest, cutting-edge, collaborative work jointly-led by academics and law enforcement practitioners. The chapter will also outline (using real life case studies) how BCL can be used to support the investigation of sexual offences, and will critically discuss future research directions and how this work might enhance the detection, prosecution, and prevention of serial sexual offending.

scholarly journals The Pursuit of Primary Human Goods in Men Desisting From Sexual Offending

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Arlanda Harris ◽  
Amelie Pedneault ◽  
Gwenda Willis
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Good Lives Model ◽  
Regular Treatment ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Desistance From Crime ◽  
Good Lives

The good lives model proposes at least 10 primary human goods that are thought to be common to all individuals which, when secured, contribute to enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. Prosocial attainment of primary human goods is thought to promote desistance from crime. However, individuals convicted of sexual offenses face significant obstacles upon their reentry into the community that likely undermine their ability to obtain such goods. The current study explored the pursuit and attainment of primary human goods in a U.S. sample of men convicted of sexual offenses. We interviewed 42 men released into the community to examine the extent to which they desired and pursued primary human goods. Results highlighted that participants valued many of the human goods outlined in the good lives model, but their means to achieve them were restricted considerably by their correctional status. “Interpersonal relationships” and “life/survival” emerged most frequently during the interviews and were identified as the two most important goods. We discuss the negative impact of recent policies on participants’ ability to pursue and attain human goods as well as the value of attending regular treatment in obtaining the goods of “knowledge” and “community.” Implications for policy and directions for future research are provided.

Campus law enforcement: the relationship between emergency preparedness and community policing

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-753
Author(s):  
Sherah L. Basham
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Community Policing ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Campus Law Enforcement ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between emergency preparedness and community policing within campus law enforcement agencies, as well as agency and campus characteristics that impact the level of emergency preparedness activities.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from the 2011–2012 Survey of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies, this study employs ordinary least squares regression modeling to examine emergency preparedness and community policing relationships within 298 campus law enforcement agencies.FindingsCommunity policing is the greatest predictor of emergency preparedness in campus law enforcement agencies. This finding refutes arguments that emergency preparedness and community policing are incompatible policing innovations.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by the use of secondary data. Future research should utilize survey measures to better isolate the roles and functions of community policing and emergency preparedness.Practical implicationsThe findings have implications for campus law enforcement agencies to view emergency preparedness and community policing activities as interrelated. Specifically, agency administration can benefit by taking a holistic approach to campus policing and preparedness.Originality/valueThis paper extends the current research in municipal policing to the campus police environment. This paper also adds to the limited body of literature on the relationships between community policing and emergency preparedness.

Offense-Supportive Cognitions Expressed by Men Who Use Internet to Sexually Exploit Children: A Thematic Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2090575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Paquette ◽  
Franca Cortoni
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Police Interviews ◽  
Offending Behavior

Although offense-supportive cognitions are related to the maintenance of contact sexual offending behavior, it is unknown whether this finding also applies to online sexual offending behavior. A few studies have examined the cognitions of men convicted for using child sexual exploitation material, but findings remain limited due to important methodological limitations. Furthermore, fewer studies have investigated the cognitions of men who use the internet to solicit sexual activities with children. The objective of this study was to examine the nature of the cognitions that support online sexual offending against children. The content of police interviews was analyzed using a thematic analysis to identify the cognitive themes present in the offense-related views expressed by 20 men who consumed child sexual exploitation material, 15 who sexually solicited children, and 18 who committed both types of online offenses. Results revealed eight cognitive themes that reflected four underlying themes related to interpersonal relationships, the sexualisation of children, perceptions of the self, and perceptions of the virtual environment. Findings indicate that while the cognitive themes of the three groups are similar, their specific content varies according to the types of offenses. Implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Characteristics and Behaviors of Anonymous Users of Dark Web Platforms Suspected of Child Sexual Offenses

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Woodhams ◽  
Juliane A. Kloess ◽  
Brendan Jose ◽  
Catherine E. Hamilton-Giachritsis
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
International Law ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Offending Behavior ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Dark Web

International law enforcement have noted a rise in the use of the Dark Web to facilitate and commit sexual offenses against children, both prior to and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study presented here therefore aimed to investigate the characteristics and behaviors of anonymous users of Dark Web platforms who were suspected of engaging in the sexual abuse of children. Naturally-occurring data on 53 anonymous suspects, who were active on the Dark Web and had come to police attention in the United Kingdom (UK), were sampled. Analysis of the data yielded 462 features that could be coded reliably. Analysis of these features provided novel insights into suspects’ characteristics, their motivations for using the Dark Web, the nature of the offending behavior they reported engaging in, their technical and security precautions, sexual interests, and the content of their interactions with one another. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research.

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