Lecture 12: Sex Offending Flashcards
What is a sexual offence? [1]
An unwanted sexual/sexually-motivated act committed against another person.
What [3] groups are included in the definition of sexual offences?
- Children
- People under the influence of drugs, alcohol
- Someone with reduced cognitive capacity
What are [3] types of sexual offences?
- Sexual offences against adults/ children
- Non-contact offences (voyeurism, exhibitionism, etc.)
- Technology-facilitated offences (online solicitation, sextortion, etc.)
How has our understanding of sexual offending changed over time? [4]
- Decrease in female rape myth acceptance among college students
- Wider recognition that men can be sexually assaulted
- Recognition that women can commit sexual offences
- Changing understanding of consent
What [2] impacts did the #MeToo Movement have on sexual offending dialogue?
- Increased public dialogue about sexual offending
- Led to a rise in reporting sexual offences to police
What is the age threshold for sexual assault in Canada? [1]
A sexual offence against a person aged 16 years or older.
What is the prevalence of sexual offences in Canada? [2]
- Reports of sexual assault have increased, but overall rates per population remain relatively stable
- Sexual offences are among the most underreported crimes
Who are disproportionately affected by sexual offences? [5]
- Women aged 25 to 34
- Indigenous individuals
- People living with disabilities
- LGBTQ+ individuals
- Those with a history of adverse childhood experiences
[3] Victim Characteristics in Sexual Offending
- Women are more frequently affected
- Young adults, especially women in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties, are at higher risk
- Indigenous women and other marginalized groups face higher rates of victimization
[4] Characteristics of Perpetrators
- Predominantly male offenders
- Largely young adults
- Often known personally to the victim (e.g., family or friend)
- Tend to have a history of criminal behavior and antisocial tendencies
The Motivation-Facilitation Model of Sexual Offending [2]
- Explains sexual offending through the interplay of sexual motivation and facilitative factors
- Emphasizes that both internal drives (e.g., atypical sexual interests) and external risk factors contribute to offending
Extended Motivation-Facilitation Model [3]
- Adds developmental context and the internet environment as important factors
- Highlights the interaction between motivation and facilitation in leading to offending behavior.
- The model also considers the evaluation of consequences, which can lead to either desistance or further offending.
What are the ‘Central Eight’ risk/needs factors associated with sexual offending? [8]
- Criminal history
- Pro-criminal attitudes
- Pro-criminal peers
- Antisocial personality traits
- Employment/education problems
- Family/marital issues
- Substance use
- Limited leisure/recreation involvement
Beliefs and Attitudes Tolerant of Sexual Offending [3]
- Endorsement of beliefs that justify/minimize sexual offences can contribute to reoffending
- Such beliefs may frame offences as harmless or blame victims
- These attitudes are key targets for therapeutic intervention
What are “paraphilias”? [1]
Sexual arousal to atypical objects, behaviours, contexts, or individuals.
What does the term “sexual preoccupation” refer to? [3]
- Excessive, intense interest in sex that can impair functioning.
- Often associated with novelty seeking and risk-taking in sexual behaviors
- Correlates with higher rates of reoffending
True or False: Having atypical sexual interests is a crime.
False.
What is the “abused –> abuser” hypothesis? [1]
Evidence suggests people who commit child sexual abuse are more likely to have experienced child sexual abuse.
What are [3] examples of contact offences against children?
- Sexual interference
- Invitation to sexual touching
- Sexual exploitation
What is Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM)? [1]
Material that involves the sexual exploitation of children, including child pornography.
[4] Trends in CSEM Offences
- Significant increase in reports over recent years
- Technology and internet accessibility have fueled the rise
- Increase in self-generated material and concerns over AI involvement
- Heightened issues during periods of increased online activity (e.g., during COVID-19)
What distinguishes those who commit CSEM offences from those who commit contact offences? [4]
- Younger
- Less access to children
- Greater victim empathy
- Greater sexual attraction to children
Does CSEM use lead to contact offending? [1]
Very few people who are convicted of CSEM offences go on to commit contact offences.
Emotional Congruence with Children [3]
- Involves an exaggerated emotional connection with children
- Offenders may view relationships with children as fulfilling emotional/dependency needs
- Includes behaviors like engaging in child-like play or claiming intimacy with children
