scholarly journals Are sex offending allegations viewed differently? Exploring the effect of offense type and conviction status on criminal stigmatization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Harper ◽  
Phil Rumney ◽  
Deborah Sackey
Keyword(s):  
Social Distance ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Legislative Action ◽  
Offense Type ◽  
Crime Types ◽  
Levels Of Support ◽  
Experimental Survey

Attitudes toward individuals with sexual convictions play a major role in the formation of legislative action, including sentencing policies and registration and notification procedures. However, there is little research about stigmatization directed at those who are accused of such offenses prior to conviction. In this work we explored this gap by comparing stigmatization towards people accused of sexual offending in comparison to other offense categories, and whether this was further impacted by whether allegations led to a conviction. We recruited 403 community-based participants for a between-subjects experimental survey. We found support for the conclusion that people accused of and convicted for sexual offenses are more heavily stigmatized than allegations related to other crime types, and especially so when allegations involved child victims. Stigmatization took the form of greater levels of support for police-initiated notifications about allegations before conviction, increased desires for social distance, and attributions of negative personality traits. We discuss the theoretical and applied implications of these findings in relation to stigma research and issues related to anonymity for those accused of sexual offenses.

Spatial Effect of Crime on Peer-to-Peer Lodging Performance

2021 ◽  
pp. 004728752110082
Author(s):  
Yu-Hua Xu ◽  
Lori Pennington-Gray ◽  
Jinwon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Spatial Effect ◽  
Econometric Models ◽  
Spatial Econometric ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Spatial Econometric Models ◽  
Crime Types ◽  
Social Uncertainty

Safety is a major factor impacting consumers’ participation in peer-to-peer (P2P) economies. Using spatial econometric models, this study examined crime effects on the performance (RevPAR) of P2P lodgings at three spatial ranges: property, community, and destination level. The performance of P2P lodgings is negatively associated with crime densities, while the degree of the association varies by crime types and room types. Crime can “spill over” to the neighborhood and have the strongest impact at the community level, followed by the destination level and the property level. The study provides a way to understand tourism risks using criminology theories and the concept of social uncertainty. Empirically, the study provides implications to the governance of community-based lodging business. We suggest that the effect of crime on P2P lodging performance was more conditioned by the safety environment in its neighborhood and the whole destination, rather than individual business operations.

Pornography Use and Sexual Offending: An Examination of Perceptions of Role and Risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2110491
Author(s):  
Karen Holt ◽  
James Kissinger ◽  
Corey Spickler ◽  
Vicki Roush
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexual Crimes ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Pornography Use ◽  
Abstinence Only

Despite no definitive relationship between pornography and sexual offenses, there exists an assumption that use plays a role in the commission of sexual crimes and may increase risk of recidivism. This has led to the development of post-release restrictions on adult media for those convicted of a sexual offense. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 101 incarcerated individuals convicted of a sexual offense to explore the central research questions: (1) What are the common themes among individual’s experiences regarding pornography and how do they construct the role of pornography in their offending? (2) How do they frame pornography use post-release and understand pornography use as related to risk of re-offense? A qualitative analysis revealed common themes regarding how individuals constructed pornography use and notions of risk. Strategic and targeted monitoring and supervision of those who perceive their pornography use as consuming and facilitating may be a more effective practice than abstinence-only blanket restrictions.

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.

Convergent and Predictive Associations of Three Measures of Pedophilic Interest

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107906322096804
Author(s):  
Ian V. McPhail ◽  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Terry P. Nicholaichuk ◽  
Andy Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Sexual Deviance ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Violence Reduction ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Moderate Relationship ◽  
Risk Scale ◽  
Static Risk

Pedophilic interest is a central risk factor for sexual offending against children. Multiple measures exist to assess pedophilic interest, and the present study aims to provide validity evidence for three of these measures in a sample of men convicted of sexual offenses. The association between a phallometric test for pedophilic interest, the Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interest (SSPI), and the sexual deviance factor of the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offense (VRS-SO) version was examined in a sample of 261 men who participated in sexual violence reduction services. The association between these measures and sexual recidivism, both as sole predictors and while controlling for static risk, was also assessed. The second aim of the study was to examine the validity of different methods for modeling the distribution of pedophilic interests, using phallometric test scores, based on the findings in recent taxometric research. The measures generally showed a positive and moderate relationship with each other and predicted sexual recidivism. However, the SSPI did not significantly predict sexual recidivism, and when controlling for static risk, only the VRS-SO Sexual Deviance factor significantly predicted this outcome. Modeling phallometric test scores continuously and trichotomously produced significant associations with sexual recidivism; however, only a trichotomous model with two levels remained predictive after controlling for static risk. The results are broadly supportive of measures of pedophilic interest and underscore the importance of appropriately modeling the latent structure of pedophilic interest.

scholarly journals Veterans in Prison for Sexual Offenses: Characteristics and Reentry Service Needs

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea K. Finlay ◽  
Jim McGuire ◽  
Jennifer Bronson ◽  
Shoba Sreenivasan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Incarcerated Men ◽  
Veteran Status ◽  
Nationally Representative

Among prison-incarcerated men in the United States, more veterans (35%) have a sexual offense conviction than nonveterans (23%). Limited research has investigated factors explaining the link between military service and sexual offending. Nationally representative data from prison-incarcerated men ( n = 14,080) were used to examine the association between veteran status and sexual offenses, adjusting for demographic, childhood, and clinical characteristics. Veterans had 1.35 higher odds (95% confidence interval = [1.12, 1.62], p < .01) of a sexual offense than nonveterans. Among veterans, those who were homeless or taking mental health medications at arrest had lower odds and veterans with a sexual trauma history had higher odds of a sexual offense compared with other offense types. Offering mental health services in correctional and health care settings to address trauma experiences and providing long-term housing options can help veterans with sexual offenses as they transition from prison to their communities.

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 Virtuous Circle: A Grounded Theory Exploration of the Good Lives Model

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 908-929
Author(s):  
Miriam Ryan ◽  
Mathew McCauley ◽  
Davina Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Good Lives Model ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Good Lives

Sexual offenses evoke strong emotional responses and frequently elicit demands from society that offenders be indefinitely incarcerated or treated until they are deemed safe, which may impact the provision of therapeutic treatment for offenders. However, in recent years, there has been a proposal to move toward a positive, strengths-based treatment approach, namely the Good Lives Model (GLM). The present study used semi-structured interviews and a constructivist grounded theory approach to examine the experience of 13 men who were voluntarily engaging in or had completed a GLM community-based treatment program. A conceptual model emerged which outlines the process the men underwent, the factors they identified as crucial for change, and the perceived gains. The model extends previous work by exploring the process from the clients’ perspective. Implications for future research, prevention, and treatment are discussed.

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.

The Neuropsychology of Adolescent Sexual Offending

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 741-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo B. Morais ◽  
Christian C. Joyal ◽  
Apryl A. Alexander ◽  
Rebecca L. Fix ◽  
Barry R. Burkhart
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Sexual Behavior Problems ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
History Of

Although executive dysfunctions are commonly hypothesized to contribute to sexual deviance or aggression, evidence of this relationship is scarce and its specificity is unproven, especially among adolescents. The objective of this study was to compare the executive functioning (EF) of adolescents with sexual offense convictions (ASOC) to that of non-sex-delinquents (NSD). A secondary goal was to assess the relationship among specific sexual offense characteristics (i.e., victim age), history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and EF. It was hypothesized that as a group, ASOC would present similar EF profiles as NSD. It was further hypothesized that ASOC with child victims would present significantly higher rates of CSA and more severe impairment of EF than ASOC with peer-aged or older victims and NSD. A total of 183 male adolescents (127 ASOC and 56 NSD) were interviewed to collect demographic information, sexual development history, history of CSA, an assessment of living conditions, and history of delinquency and sexual offending. Participants were administered the Delis–Kaplan Executive Functioning System and the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version. In accord with the first hypothesis, ASOC and NSD presented similar EF scores, well below normative values. Thus, EF deficits may not characterize the profiles of adolescents with sexual behavior problems. Contrarily to our second hypothesis, however, offending against children and or experiencing CSA were not associated with poorer EF performance. On the contrary, ASOC with child victims obtained significantly higher scores on measures of higher order EF than both ASOC with peer-aged or older victims and NSD. Implications of these results and future directions are discussed.

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