Problem 4 Flashcards
Sexually violent predator statues (SVP)
Refer to community registration laws which require sex offenders to register their
- name
- address
- photo
- crime
with local law enforcement agencies
–> this info is generally also made public to local residents through state web sites
What are the intended and positive consequences of these registration laws ?
1. Empowerment of local residents to be aware of + protect themselves + children
2. Strong incentive to sex offenders to seek treatment and avoid recidivism
What are the unintended and negative consequences of these registration laws ?
1. Invasion of the sex offenders rights to privacy
2. Further stigmatization
3. (Self-) Isolation + alienation of them
4. May exacerbate the very uses that contribute to an individuals propensity to reoffend
5. Difficulty finding affordable housing thus usually returning to disadvantaged communities
Informal social control
Refers to the willingness of local residents to take responsibility for the quality of local community life
–> work together to prevent local problems like for example sex offenders aka karens doing their thing
Why is it so hard for sex offenders to find affordable housing ?
Because of the registration policies
1. In many states there is a 500-ft rule
–> can’t live near places where children congregate
2. In socially organized communities informal social control may be exerted unto them, forcing them to move
–> community barriers
THUS: The usually live in communities with higher levels of social disorganization
Why do registered sex offenders usually self isolate or just “keep a low profile” after being convicted ? (Individual barriers)
To minimize the risks of
1. other people finding out about their designation
2. the stigma they already feel as a result
3. losing their job or housing
4. local harrassment + mobilization against them
Name the formal barriers imposed on sexual offenders.
They typically refer to parole restrictions
–> house arrest + electronic monitoring served to cut off many people from any positive socializing outside of their homes
A study found that 60% of formerly incarcerated sex offenders were not employed one year post release.
Explain this.
1. A number of occupations are entirely proscribed for individuals who have been convicted of crimes in the past
–> too little options
2. Some jobs are systematically forbidden to sexual offenders
3. Employment discrimination exists
–> 70% of employers indicated they would never consider hiring a convicted sexual felon
Why is there growing stigmatization of sexual offenders?
Due to growing media coverage
–> this, additionally, tends to be selective, concentrating on high profile cases which may lead to misperceptions
Circles of support and accountability
(CoSA)
Refers to a community-based rehabilitation program for sex offenders, which involves trained volunteers from the local community, who are supervised and coached by professionals
How is the awareness and attitudes towards sex offenders in general ?
1. A wide majority of people has more or less adequate perceptions of sex offender characteristics
2. Attitudes are generally negative toward them
–> most pessimistic about their ability to change + doubts effectiveness of treatment
BUT: These attitudes are less pronounced in europe or more educated countries
JSO
Refer to juveniles who sexually offend
SORN
Sex offender registration and notification
–> other word for SVP
What are the treatment providers perspectives/opinions about the consequences of SORN for youth ?
Overwhelming negative consequences associated with registration and notification policies aimed at juveniles
1. likely to experience harassment + difficulty at school
2. trouble maintaining stable housing
3. influence of public shaming through notification will result in social exclusion
Risk-Need-Responsivity principle (RNR)
States that correctional treatment is more effective when
1. it is matched to risk level, thus higher risk implies more intensive treatment
- treatment targets characteristics that are related to reoffending
- treatment style matches the offenders learning styles + abilities
–> applies to sex offenders
Is treatment effective in sexual offenders ?
The RNR principle should be underscored here
–> treatment is most effective when the treatment levels are attuned to the risk levels
BUT: no clear positive effect of treatment, so inconclusive
Name the 8 most common paraphilia disorders.
1. Voyeuristic disorder
–> spying on others having sex
2. Exhibitionistic disorder
–> exposing genitals
3. Frotteuristic disorder
–> touching/rubbing against s/o else
4. Sexual masochism
–> undergoing humiliation/bondage/suffering
5. Sexual sadism disorder
–> inflicting the above
6. Pedophilic disorder
7. Fetishistic disorder
–> using nonliving objects for sexual satisfaction
8. Transvestic disorder
–> sexual arousing cross dressing
Paraphilia
Denotes recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behavior generally involving
- nonhuman objects
- the suffering/humiliation of oneself or ones partner
- children or other nonconsenting persons
that occur over a period of at least 6 months.
–> necessary but not a sufficient condition for having a paraphilic disorder
Paraphilic disorder
Refers to a paraphilia that is
currently causing distress or impairment to the individual
or
a paraphilia whose satisfaction has entailed personal harm or risk of harm to others
A paraphilia by itself justifies and requires clinical intervention.
True or false ?
False,
A paraphilia is a necessary but not sufficient condition for having a paraphilic disorder
Sexual offending
Refers to sexual interaction with someone who
did not give their consent
or
someone who is not regarded as being able to give their consent
Sexual deviance
Refers to a preference for illegal sexual interactions
–> not all sex offenders are sexually deviant
BUT: high risk to reoffend
What factors contribute to the development of a paraphilia ?
All emerge in adolescence, where risk factors include
1. Early emotional trauma
–> e.g. childhood abuse
2. Hyper sexuality
3. Early exposure to highly sexually charged experiences
4. Anxiety
Which types of paraphilia are sexual offenses ?
Any of the 8 when there is no consent
–> but without doubt pedophilia + exhibitionistic disorder
Prevalence of pedophilia?
3-5% in the male population
–> uncertain for females but thought to be only a fraction
What are the age guidelines for a pedophilic offense in the western world ?
The victim has to be 13 years or younger
Penile plethysmography
(PPG)
Assesses sexual arousal by measuring genital tumescence/how much the penis grows lol to potentially erotic (nude) stimuli
–> the most established physiological measure of DSI
BUT: Good discriminant validity but low test-retest reliability AND ethical problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy
(Treatment model)
Identifying maladaptive thoughts of the disordered
–> then developing strategies to act against their urges and criminal behavior
Humanistic perspective/Good life model
(Treatment model)
Refers to a rehabilitation program upon release from prison where emphasis is put on a satisfying and fulflilling life in the wake of the criminal offence
–> thus supporting them with resocialization by finding work, housing
Stranger danger
Refers to the connotion of adults telling their kids not to talk to strangers
BUT: sex offenders usually commit their crimes with children they know
