The Fear Of Sex Offenders Criminology Essay

The Fear Of fire Offenders Criminology EssayIn previous years, the fear of invoke offenders has led the open to trust a fallacy regarding hinge upon offender interference. The public often start to view everyone who commits a spangledgeable offence to be a high risk energise offender. Society need to get a line that some elicit offenders atomic number 18 low risk offenders who argon very un presumable to reoffend again. The public will easily say kindle offenders should be thrown and twisted in prison and never let out again however this is an inefficient way in helping offenders to stop committing crime. Crime overall is a major problem around the world and a controversial debate that often brings up more questions than it answers. Explaining these criminal deportments has become more complex as researchers have become aw be that crime is a more complicated and confusing situation than they have previously recognized (Burke,2005). This essay is intended to disassembl e the myth of the untreatable sex offender. In addition it will also cover and provide conclusive evidence from programmes that sex offender manipulation is not write outly possible but to a large extent is fortunate in reducing the recidivism of sex offenders. Before this is examined, this paper will briefly define what a sex offender is, what derives people to become one and how the government has tried to prevent sex delinquents from re-offending.A sex offender is a person who has commit a versed crime, an act which is prohibited by the jurisdiction. What constitutes a sex offence or normal and abnormal internal behaviour varies over measure and place (Pakes Winstone, 2007). Every country has a different perspective on sexual crimes which dispatchs their legislation vary even the age of consent to a sexual act is a culturally based construction. The age of consent median seems to range from 16 to 18 years, but laws stating ages ranging from 9 to 21 do exist. This elbow r oom that in some countries sexual activity is illegal and in some it is legal. umteen people tend to think sexual offending mainly relates to heavy(a) rape or child molestation (Pakes Winstones, 2007), but there are some(prenominal) other types of sex crimes such as lust murder, mesh grooming, sexual harassment, incest, etc. It is very difficult to distinguish the difference between sex offenders with non-offenders. It is presumed that m each sex offenders have various sexual abnormal fantasies or an grotesque high sex drive (Elsevier, 2007-PRINTOUT). People tend to call back most sexual offences are committed by strangers but the truth is most victims cognize their attacker and also they are not any different to normal people (CSOM). Most sex offenders are not mentally ill as shown in this article Fewer than 5% of people who commit a sexual offence suffer from a psychotic mental illness (Nota).Many theories try to explain why people commit sexual offences. Since sexual dev iance takes several forms, no single theory maybe adequate to peak for all aspects (Blackburn, 1993), Ellis (1989) identifies two major theories which will infraline the most common approaches to as why a person may want to become a sex offender. Social learning theory suggests people learn and get exposed to certain things in life in which the person start to believe it is the right way to live life. This theory focuses on childhood experiences, especially at heart the family by either getting victimised by an adult at home or by getting exposure to pornography at a young age. This experience might lead them to being insecure and admit them want to be in power instead of being the one subjected. The second theory Ellis supports is the Evolutionary theory which can also be cognise as the biological theory. This theory connects with genetics and male aggression. There is lacking evidence to support any theory.Getting victimized by a sex offender can be very traumatising and psy chologically damaging. The public and media seem to merely worry about two types of crime which are both sex crimes sexually offending against women or children. arouse offenders have been change magnitudely a focus of attention by the criminal justice system over the yesteryear decade (Thomas, 2000). In recent years, many countries have started to change their laws regarding sex offenders. The criminal justice system is strengthening the legislation and revising punishments as the public believe it is too lenient.Before the outlaw justice Act 1991, the laws on sex offences were very old coming back from the Sexual Offences Act 1956 (Pakes Winstone, 2007). following came along the Sex Offenders Act 1997, this Act made it easier to manage, and identify the offender on community release. Sex offenders had to register their addresses and names with the police which helped manage and treasure the public. It was mainly prepared to reduce the risk within the public so every sex of fender can be monitored for up to 5 years. In 1998 the Crime and Disorder Act (Section 58), paid attention to extending the post-release supervision of sex offenders to a maximum of 10 years for a prison sentence of any length, and Section 2 introduced the Sex Offender Order. A sex offender order is a civil preventative order made by a magistrates court on application by the police. If the police consider that a sex offender has acted in a way that gives reasonable cause to believe that an order is necessary to protect the public from serious harm by him, then they can apply for an order. The order may place a chassis of prohibitions as necessary to protect the public from serious harm by that person. For example, he might be prevented from entering childrens playgrounds or visiting swimming pools. The intermit of any of these prohibitions carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. ((This can be used to prevent sex offenders from going to specific locations))- legislat ion.go.uk)). Since this has taken place, the laws in 2003 changed which introduced longer sentences, which allow for lengthy periods of formal supervision in the community, and for high risk sex offenders the life sentence was put into effect (Pakes Winstones, 2007). The Sexual Criminal Act 2003 also redefined the guessing of rape by including penetration to the vagina, anus or mouth with his penis without lack of consent (legislation.co.uk). Internet grooming is defined to be illegal in this Act as well. This is when an adult tries to arrange meetings and/or has sexual conversions online.So, what happens to those that are convicted? Nearly two-thirds of sex offenders immediately go to prison (Homeoffice, 2003c), the symmetry are taken care of by probation or supervision orders, fines and some are totally discharged. The ones who are convicted or charged are often take to record their names in the sex offender registry. These databases are classified into levels and are open to the public. A serious high risk sex offender must register for the rest of their lives whereas a low risk sex offender has to register for a certain period of time. There are many advantages and disadvantages of the Sex offender Registry. Some of the advantages are that the public can easily access information about sex offenders on the internet, citizens have the right to know if there is a sex offender in their area, and the right of innocent children and others to safety outweighs the right of sex offenders to privacy. The disadvantages are many records are often inexact or not updated, this practice makes it hard for ex-offenders to look for a house or job and some seem to believe this information could lead to networking within sexual offenders.According to the Review of Sex offender Treatment course of instructions (1998) the highest risk sex offenders appear to be characterised by the following factors criminal history, convicted of diverse sexual offending (different victi m ages, gender, or location), antisocial lifestyle, emotional loneliness, denial, psychopathic personality, low victim empathy and problem solving abilities and lastly sexually deviant arousal or fantasies.These criminals either being in prison, have been recently released from prison or have not been sent into prison at all run the alike(p) type of discourse programmes. A cognitive behavioural approach is mainly used or anti-libidinal medication (Perkins, 1998). The aim of the each programme is to challenge offenders falsify thoughts and reasoning in relation to their victims and to help manage their impulses by providing alternative courses of action which they view as being more rewarding (Worall Hoy, 2005). Many of the preaching programmes are taken place within group format unless the sex offender has a higher risk then it is a one-on-one basis. Sex offender treatment programmes require at least 80 hours of treatment (Evenden, 2008). In the last ten years, the British Pris on Service has developed a largely group-based treatment programme for sex offenders to reduce crime rates (Thornton and Hogue, 1993), and this has led to the development of a national Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP), which is now the largest of its kind in the world. The prison offender behaviour Programme Unit manages the SOTP. SOTP have made a criterion for all of the sex offenders in prison or attending programmes outside of prison. This criterion has ten characteristics which a sex offender treatment programme should have to be successful (Journal Site).Contains an translucent theoretical model of how the programme is meant to bring about changeIncludes a clear specification of the types of offender for whom the programme is intendedAddresses a range of dynamic risk factors known to be associated with re-offendingThe treatment methods used are likely to have an impact on the targeted dynamic risk factorsSkills are taught that will look participants in avoiding crimin al activities and facilitate their involvement in legitimate pursuitsThere is a rationale for the sequencing, intensity and duration of different programme componentsThe programme is incorporate to maximize and sustain the engagement of participantsThere are clear links between the programme and the overall management of the offenderThere is provision to monitor programme integrity (is it being delivered as intended?)There is provision to evaluate the efficacy of the programmeThe main goal of the sex offender treatment programmes are that the person avoids committing another offence in the future. The offender must admit he is guilty for him or her to be a part of the program. It is a condition of acceptance into the programme, not agreeing is breaching the law and the offender can be sent back to prison. Many programmes follow this rule but it is not through with(p) everywhere. The programme expects the perpetrator to admit his mistakes, to talk about his unacceptable behaviour, expresses feelings, remorse for them and is agrees to apologize to the victim. To reduce reconviction rates many people suggest to also accrue the sexual arousal. Sexual arousal is one of the key factors which can lead to sex offending. Psychiatrists contribute to the treatment of sex offenders as well, not only prison officers and probation officers. Psychiatrists prescribe the medication, which has shown to reduce crime (Grublin, 2007).The most effective way to manage and supervise potentially dangerous offenders in the community is for the relevant agencies to work together. This compact work is directed and governed by the national Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). The MAPPA was created nationally on 1st April 2001. MAPPA works with a number of other agencies are under a duty to co-operate with the Responsible Authority. These include Children Services, Adult Social Services, Health Trusts and Authorities, Youth Offending Teams, local housing authorities and certain registered social landlords, Jobcentre Plus, and electronic monitoring providers. The purposes of MAPPA are to ensure more comprehensive risk assessments are completed, taking advantage of co-ordinated information sharing across the agencies and to direct the available resources to crush protect the public from serious harm. MAPPA deal with the management of sexual and knockdown-dragout offenders convicted by a court of a relevant offence or those whose behaviour poses a significant risk of harm to the public. After a comprehensive risk assessment, a system comprising three levels is used to make sure that those offenders who may pose the highest risk, receive the greatest degree of scrutiny and oversight. Who are the MAPPA offenders? There are three categories of offender eligible for MAPPA.Registered Sexual Offenders (Category 1) sexual offenders who are require to notify the police of their name, address and other personal details and notify any changes subsequentlyV iolent Offenders (Category 2) offenders sentenced to imprisonment/detention for 12 months or more, or detained under hospital orders.Other Dangerous Offenders (Category 3) offenders who do not qualify under categories 1 or 2 but who currently pose a risk of serious harm.There are 3 categories include supervising the offenders, arranging meetings between agencies to see which type of treatment the offender necessarily, police surveillance, specialize accommodation, and/or to provide ongoing senior management oversight.In the last year, MAPPA in Cumbria has worked in partnership with Circles UK, a national charity set up to encourage the development of Circles of Support and Accountability.Circles of support and accountability was first introduced in Canada about 15 years ago. The purpose of this programme is to support and reintegrate sex offenders who are about to be put back into the community. This idea was introduced to the UK by the Quakers. Sex offenders are lonely people w ho feel isolated when they are released into the community. These types of feelings make them re-offend. Circles pay attention to employment, financial difficulties, isolation and loneliness (circle journal). Circles believe that the act sex offenders have committed may be monstrous but that doesnt mean they are monsters. They believe sex offenders needs to be shown care and humanity to help them avoid further offending. The individual becomes a core member of the Circle. They are expected to commit and open within the Circle. They also promise that there will be no more victims by his or (her) hand, and that he or she will follow the laid down release plan (print out). Circles do involve the police and probation officers if any problem arises. Circles take place weekly. They consist of four-spot to six volunteers taken from different faith communities.Sex offender programs/strategies are administered in prison and/or in the community to manage sex offenders. terzetto common thera peutic approaches to treating sex offenders areThe cognitive-behavioral approach, which focuses on changing thinking patterns related to sexual offending and changing deviant patterns of sexual behavior.The psycho-educational approach, which focuses on increasing offenders empathy for the victim while also teaching them to take responsibility for their sexual offenses.The pharmacological approach, which uses medication to reduce sexual response.Research has shown that sex offender treatment programs tend to have a high percentage of offenders who are either expelled from or drop out of treatment. Higher risk offenders and those who are mandated to receive treatment are the most likely to drop out. Fewer individuals drop out of cognitive-behavioral than hormonal treatment. Offenders who are married and employed are more likely to complete treatment. Offenders who do not complete treatment are more likely to commit subsequent sexual offenses than those who do complete treatment.Cognit ive behavioral therapies are known to be effective treatment interventions that have helped lower the recidivism rates. This is the most common therapy used within sex offenders. Most sex offenders are let off and released within the community under supervision before there sentence is completed.Some other type of sex offender treatment programmes that are taken place in America are the Sex Offender Groupwork Programme (SOGP) for adult male offenders whose victims are children. Specialist assessment is required for this intensive programme and Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (I-SOTP) for male offenders with convictions for internet only sex offences. It is designed to reduce the risk of future internet offending and progression to contact sex offending.There is a tremendous need for effective interventions that can lower the recidivism rates of sexual offenders.EFFECTIVE? Whether sex offender treatment is effective in reducing recidivism continues to be debated and reach ing firm conclusions on this issue is complicated by the lack of high spirit studies.Longer programmes are perhaps predicable, more effective than short ones and programmes which teach offenders technique which they can utilize themselves, especially to prevent relapse, are also successful ( book) 172.Sexual recidivism is generally lower than general recidivism.Different studies used different criteria for sexual recidivism.Effectiveness for register -There have been many controversial arguments regarding the use of Sex Offender Register. Criminals who committed crimes before 1997, were not a part of this registry, criminals with acute risk to the public were exempt from the list and there is no national sex offender register (Pakes Winstone, 2007)Mention 2 casesMAPPA Treatment programmes have been researched regarding their impact on re conviction The group work treatment programmes in prisons and in the community have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the re-conviction rate s. Offenders successfully completing these programmes are 3 times less likely to be re convicted of a sexual offence and 5 times less likely to be re-convicted of a violent offence than offenders who have not completed the programmes. (NOTA) break off 3 There have been many debates about the rehabilitation help and its success rates.Circle of support reduced re ffending70% The Canadian model has be to work. Re-conviction rates have halved and those who did re-offend committed less serious offences (paper).Conclusion In order to assess and treat a sexual offender effectively, therefore, one needs to obtain a realistic account of his psychosexuality , something that is notoriously difficult to do (Elsevier, 2007). or (Grubin, 2007).Maybe use another type of approach not only cognitive/behaviour but also psychotherapy and skills therapy to improve results.Programmes are constantly evolving as new information becomes available.Improvements will continue.Every step of this process is vital to reducing the risk a sex offender poses when he or she is returned to the community.Assuming every coach, every priest, every teacher is not likely to be a sexual predator, but that one could be and that you will not know if he is. Given that we cannot detect child molesters or rapists with any consistency, we must pay attention to ways of deflecting any potential offenders from getting access to us or to our children(Salter,2003)Anthony RiceLong history of sexual and violent attacksConvicted 1989, given discretionary life sentenceReleased on life license Nov 2004 after 15yr prison term.Killed Naomi Bryant in August 2005ROY WHITING The sex offender commonwealth is increasing and most of these offenders will be released into the community without having received any treatment.(((ARTICLE))