Recidivism of Sex Offenders

Some studies showed a positive correlation between the violent threats towards victims and their decision not to pursue charges or any other mediation (Artz, 2011). In other words, threatened violence by the offender directed towards the victim was a reason behind the victim failing to cooperate. Artz (2011) further notes studies performed in the 1990’s showed women may not follow through with the process due to the criminal justice process itself. The process is very time consuming and with multiple court dates, taking off work and finding adequate childcare can create issues (Artz, 2011, p. 8). These studies also found the problems that can occur with the service of protection orders, misunderstanding of the criminal justice system itself, and once again, being afraid of the offender, will serve as a determining factor in a victims’ willingness to cooperate with further court proceedings.

On the contrary, the wide net that catches various low level offenders leaves them requesting to be free from the harsh punishments. This paper will look into the needs of sexual offenders, making sure not to disregard the emotions of the victims. Sex offenders are not remarkably unique from other offenders. In many ways, they actually posses characteristics of other offenders. Sex offender laws have a base national criteria and then vary widely by state and even by county.

Rape: Victims of crisis. Bowie, MD: Robert J. Brady Company. Davis, R. C., Lurigio, A. J., & Skogan, W. G. (1997). Victims of crime (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

(2007). Megan’s Law and its impact on community re-entry for sex offenders. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 25(1), 587-602. Park, B. and Lee, J. (2013).

Although the definition of rape might be concise, the crime itself can be extremely variable depending on the situation and predator. It was once widely conceived that rape and other sexual crimes where primarily lust motivated. Recent information, however, suggests that stimulus can be as multi-faceted as the perpetrator themselves. Discrepancies in such facets as motivation and opportunity are variations that can limit the profiling and apprehension of sexual criminals. One of the most common dissimilarities amongst rape criminals is the likelihood for re-offense.

As the nature of sex crimes have long held the nation’s fascination, it represents only the tip of the iceberg as sex crimes seem to bring up more controversial questions than it answers. Because of our fear of sex offenders, the general public has been led to concentrate solely on the aspect of punishment as many bureaucrats have searched for different approaches to prevent sex offenders from re-offending again in order to improve public safety. Two main strategies that officials have tried to use to deter sex offenders are providing the option of chemical and/or surgical castration for sex offenders and lessening the caseloads of workers to ensure strict supervision of sex offenders. However, as sex offenders who were sentenced to prison eventually return to the community, the American Psychological Association believes that psychologists can treat the sex offenders as they attempt to fully reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens (Kersting, 2003). This place an important role on community treatment of sex offenders’ rehabilitation as var... ... middle of paper ... ...c. 2014. .

Field validity of the STATIC-99 and MnSOST-R among sex offenders evaluated for civil commitment as sexually violent predators. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 15(4), 278-314. doi: 10.1037/a0017232 Miller, H. A., Amenta, A. E., & Conroy, M. A. (2005). Sexually violent predator evaluations: Empirical evidence, strategies for professionals, and research directions. Law and Human Behavior, 29, 29–54.

Center for Sex Offender Management. Retrieved on October 19, 2003 from http://www.csom.org/pubs/recidsexof.html Rice, M.E., Quinsey, V.L., & Harris, G.T. (1991). Sexual recidivism among child molesters released from a maximum security institution. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 381-386.

However, to others it is a violation to our Eight Amendment, no cruel or unusual punishment, and will not prevent future sex offenders from committing these crimes. The options of punishment and treatment of our justice system has changed dramatically due to science and technology advances. While our justice system has proven to provide the necessary treatment and punishment for sex offenders, more and more victims and offenders are finding that castration is not only cost friendly, but a clever solution to the war on sex crimes. In chemical castration, drugs are administered to lower the testosterone level, which in result reduces sexual urges. In surgical castration, the testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum.

Scott, C. L., & Holmberg, T. (2003). Castration of Sex Offenders: Prisoners' Rights Versus Public Safety. Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychiatry And The Law, 31(4), 502-509. Stone, T., Winslade, W. J., & Klugman, C. M. (2000). Sex offenders, sentencing laws and pharmaceutical treatment: A prescription for failure.