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.

scholarly journals Challenges of Effective Communication in the Criminal Justice Process: Findings from Interviews with Victims of Sexual Offences in Australia

Laws ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Davies ◽  
Lorana Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Justice Process ◽  
Criminal Justice Process

This article focuses on gendered experiences of the criminal justice system, specifically the experiences of adult female victims of sexual offending and the communication difficulties they experience during the criminal justice process. Drawing on the findings from qualitative interviews about sentencing with six victims and 15 justice professionals in Australia, we compare the lived experiences of the victims with the perceptions of the justice professionals who work with them, revealing a significant gap between the information justice professionals believe they are providing and the information victims recall receiving. We then analyse the international literature to distil effective communication strategies, with the goal of improving victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system as a whole. Specifically, we recommend verbal communication skills training for justice professionals who work with victims of crime and the development of visual flowcharts to help victims better understand the criminal justice process. We also recommend that Australian victims’ rights regimes be reformed to place the responsibility for providing information about the criminal process on the relevant justice agencies, rather than requiring the victim to seek this information, and suggest piloting automated notification systems to help agencies fulfil their obligations to provide victims with such information.

Disproportionate Minority Contact

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Fix ◽  
Melissa A. Cyperski ◽  
Barry R. Burkhart
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Disproportionate Minority Contact ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Racial Ethnic

The overrepresentation of racial/ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system relative to their population percentage, a phenomenon termed disproportionate minority contact, has been examined within general adult and adolescent offender populations; yet few studies have tested whether this phenomenon extends to juvenile sexual offenders (JSOs). In addition, few studies have examined whether offender race/ethnicity influences registration and notification requirements, which JSOs are subject to in some U.S. states. The present study assessed for disproportionate minority contact among general delinquent offenders and JSOs, meaning it aimed to test whether the criminal justice system treats those accused of sexual and non-sexual offenses differently by racial/ethnic group. Furthermore, racial/ethnic group differences in risk, legal classification, and sexual offending were examined for JSOs. Results indicated disproportionate minority contact was present among juveniles with non-sexual offenses and JSOs in Alabama. In addition, offense category and risk scores differed between African American and European American JSOs. Finally, registration classifications were predicted by offending characteristics, but not race/ethnicity. Implications and future directions regarding disproportionate minority contact among JSOs and social and legal policy affecting JSOs are discussed.

Commentary on Alexander (1993)

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-390
Author(s):  
SETH C. KALICHMAN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sexually Violent

This commentary on Alexander's article concerning civil commitment of sex offenders concludes that the failure of the mental health sciences to define the psychosexual pathology of sexually violent adults has resulted in an inability to address these disturbances in the criminal justice system. This situation will likely contribute to the social threats posed by sexual offenders. It is suggested that researchers work to establish the mental illness parameters of sexual violence.

scholarly journals Should the use of an alternative trial process preclude referral back to the criminal justice system? Consideration of one aspect of the Law Commission's proposal for trial process reform in cases of sexual offending

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sophie Macaulay
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offence ◽  
Trial Process ◽  
Alternative Process ◽  
Justice Process

<p>In its recent Issues Paper, Alternative Pre-Trial and Trial Processes: Possible Reforms, the New Zealand Law Commission proposed to make available some form of restorative justice process as a complete alternative to the criminal justice system in certain sexual offence cases. It also proposed that where an offender participates in an alternative process in good faith and fulfils all undertakings, the case cannot be referred back to the criminal justice system. This paper considers situations where alternative trial processes should be referred back to the criminal justice system and what should happen to material disclosed during the alternative process if referral occurs.  If restorative processes are to be used as a complete alternative to the criminal justice system, there must a “public safety override” which prioritises public safety over victim autonomy. This override will be applied by restorative justice providers, who will have the ability to refer cases back to the criminal justice system. If referral does occur, the content of the restorative proceedings should be privileged, and that privilege should belong to the offender. The fact of the offender’s agreement to participate should also be privileged.</p>

Autism, sexual offending, and the criminal justice system

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 116-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Clark Mogavero
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Offending Behavior ◽  
Deviant Sexual Behavior

Purpose There has been growing concern among stakeholders about individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and sex offending as research supports an indirect association. The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, bring more awareness of the sexuality and deviant/criminal sexual behavior among those with ASD to stakeholders in the criminal justice system (CJS); second, demonstrate that much of the deviant or sexual offending behavior exhibited among those with ASD is often a manifestation of their ASD symptoms and not malice; and third, demonstrate the necessity to address specific needs of individuals with ASD who enter the CJS due to criminal sexual behavior. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides an overview of the ASD symptomology, including the diagnostic changes, a review of the literature on ASD and sexuality, which includes deviant sexual behavior and sexual offending. Findings The author linked examples of deviant or sexual behavior in the research literature to the ASD symptomology and described how the symptomology explains such behavior. Originality/value Sexual offending among those with ASD has received little research outside the mental health field. This review is of particular importance to those in the CJS unfamiliar with ASD, as they should handle them differently with regard to formal interviewing, measures of competency, capacity, and sentencing.

Sex Offenders

2019 ◽  
pp. 203-212
Author(s):  
Li-Wen G. Lee ◽  
Heather Ellis Cucolo ◽  
Jeremy Colley
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Sex Offender Registration ◽  
Legal Challenges

Chapter 28 includes cases related to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual offenders in the criminal justice system. Forensic practitioners may treat these individuals as part of their clinical work or may evaluate them to determine suitability for civil commitment upon release from prison or appropriateness for return to the community. The cases in this chapter are Specht v. Patterson, Allen v. Illinois, In re Young and Cunningham, Kansas v. Hendricks, McCune v. Lile, Kansas v. Crane and U.S. v. Comstock. The new cases (Does #1-5 v. Snyder and Millard v. Rankin)add a focus on legal challenges associated with sex offender registration.

scholarly journals Should the use of an alternative trial process preclude referral back to the criminal justice system? Consideration of one aspect of the Law Commission's proposal for trial process reform in cases of sexual offending

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sophie Macaulay
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offence ◽  
Trial Process ◽  
Alternative Process ◽  
Justice Process

<p>In its recent Issues Paper, Alternative Pre-Trial and Trial Processes: Possible Reforms, the New Zealand Law Commission proposed to make available some form of restorative justice process as a complete alternative to the criminal justice system in certain sexual offence cases. It also proposed that where an offender participates in an alternative process in good faith and fulfils all undertakings, the case cannot be referred back to the criminal justice system. This paper considers situations where alternative trial processes should be referred back to the criminal justice system and what should happen to material disclosed during the alternative process if referral occurs.  If restorative processes are to be used as a complete alternative to the criminal justice system, there must a “public safety override” which prioritises public safety over victim autonomy. This override will be applied by restorative justice providers, who will have the ability to refer cases back to the criminal justice system. If referral does occur, the content of the restorative proceedings should be privileged, and that privilege should belong to the offender. The fact of the offender’s agreement to participate should also be privileged.</p>

Sex Offenders

2014 ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
Li-wen G. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Civil Commitment ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Release From Prison

Chapter 28 includes cases related to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual offenders in the criminal justice system. Forensic practitioners may treat these individuals as part of their clinical work or may evaluate them to determine suitability for civil commitment upon release from prison or appropriateness for return to the community. The cases in this chapter are Specht v. Patterson, Allen v. Illinois, In re Young and Cunningham, Kansas v. Hendricks, McKune v. Lile, Kansas v. Crane, and U.S. v. Comstock.

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