Nonsexual Crimes Research Articles

What makes female commuters ‘unhappy’? Harassment, fear of crime, and unsought travel behavioral adaptations in public transport against life satisfaction

IntroductionWhile promoting public transport is undoubtedly essential to meet current sustainability goals, numerous challenges persist among daily travelers, either remaining active or receiving limited attention. A prime example is the exposure to sexual harassment, fear, and forced travel behavioral adaptations primarily affecting women, especially daily commuters constantly exposed to these issues. Moreover, the extent to which it affects their life satisfaction remains somewhat unaddressed in the literature. AimThe core aim of this study was to assess the influence of sexual harassment experiences, fear of crime, and unwanted travel behavior adaptations on the life satisfaction of female commuters using public transport. MethodsThis cross-sectional study used the data provided by 720 public transport commuting women in Spanish cities, aged M = 29 years, spending about M = 74 min a day commuting. Participants responded to an electronic questionnaire addressing everyday traveling issues. ResultsThe relationships among experiences of sexual harassment, fear of crime, and responsive patterns of travel behavioral change were consistently positive and significant. Moreover, behavioral adaptations were more prevalent (although not exclusively) among women ‘in touch’ with sexual harassment on the move. Furthermore, structural analyses suggest that life satisfaction rates are impaired to a great extent by harassment experiences and fear of non-sexual crime but through the full statistical mediation of the often inconvenient, undesired travel adaptations made by commuting women. ConclusionThese outcomes support the idea that the overall life satisfaction of female daily public transport travelers may be significantly affected by negative commuting experiences and inconvenient responsive behavioral demands. At a practical level, the current study provides valuable insights into the still challenging dynamics involving sexual harassment, fear, and commuting constraints in women. On this basis, conducting contextually aware crime and fear-facing actions might help to improve their travel experiences, overall quality of life, and access to opportunities.

Initial validation of Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) in Portuguese perpetrators of child sexual abuse and perpetrators of non-sexual crimes

ABSTRACT Cognitive distortions (CDs) are a crucial element in the etiology of child sexual offending, with most of the intervention programs targeting them to reduce the risk of sexual recidivism in perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers have developed the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) to assess CDs. With a total sample of 256 participants, the Portuguese version of the HSAQ revealed a two-factor structure. The HSAQ subscales demonstrated good to acceptable psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, as well as discriminant validity. One of the subscales also demonstrated convergent validity. Additionally, the two subscales exhibited differences between perpetrators of CSA with and without previous interventions, indicating known-groups validity. Overall, our findings partially support the use of the HSAQ in the forensic Portuguese population, underscoring its significance for clinical and research purposes. Nevertheless, particular caution is advised, especially regarding factor two.

Intra and Extra-Familial Child Sexual Abuse: The Role of Psychopathy

The present study analyses the relationship between psychopathic traits, the four facets of psychopathy (i.e., interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial), and the type of crime committed (i.e., intrafamilial and extrafamilial child sexual abuse; and nonsexual crimes). The Self-Report Psychopathy Scale – Short Form (SRP-SF) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short Form were completed by 110 male individuals who sexually offended minors (ISOMs) and 146 individuals convicted for nonsexual crimes. Four binary logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for sociodemographic, criminal, and individual variables. ISOMs are less likely to score high in the SRP-SF total score and the interpersonal facet and more likely to score high in the affective facet than individuals with nonsexual crimes. Besides, ISOMs are less likely to have a prior history of alcohol and drug abuse and to have previous contact with the justice system but are more likely to have a history of psychological problems. Therefore, only the prior alcohol and drug abuse history emerged as predictors for ISOMs subtypes. According to our results, psychopathic traits should not be considered in the assessment and intervention of ISOMs, and the focus of the intervention should be on the affective dimension and the level of psychopathology.

An inclusive typology of youths convicted of sexual or non-sexual crime

ABSTRACT This study examines the characteristics of youths convicted of sexual crimes (YSC) and youths convicted of non-sexual crimes (YNSC) to create an inclusive typology of clinical characteristics associated with sexual and general delinquency. The sample consisted of 391 justice-involved male youths aged 14–20. Participants completed either the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression (MASA) or the Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Aggression (MIDSA). Four profiles were identified based on a three-step latent profile analysis (LPA): Normal/Neurotic Delinquents, Macho Delinquents, Sexualised Delinquents, and Psychopathic Sexualised Delinquents. The youths in these profiles differed in the nature and intensity of their clinical characteristics and the incidence of their sexual and non-sexual delinquency. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The distribution of YSCs and YNSCs across the four profiles shows that these are not completely distinct populations. Although two profiles in the typology comprised mainly YSCs, YNSCs were present in all profiles. This highlights the importance of rejecting the idea of one-size-fits-all treatment for these youth. The study also highlights the importance of basing treatment on the clinical characteristics and needs of justice-involved youth rather than on their index offence.

General Criminal Dynamic Risk and Strength Factors Predict Short-Term General Recidivism Outcomes Among People Convicted of Sexual Crime During Community Supervision.

There are clinical practice and operational reasons why it may be appropriate to primarily focus on general risk factors when supervising people convicted of sexual crime in the community. General risk domains may be particularly relevant when supervision officers engage in frequent reassessment of acute dynamic risk factors. We tested the ability of a case management tool, the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-entry, to discriminate community based, short-term general (all outcome) recidivism versus nonrecidivism among people convicted of sexual crime (n = 562). We tested the predictive discrimination validity of each DRAOR item and then subscale scores in univariate and multivariate models (also controlling for general static risk). DRAOR scores were associated with general recidivism outcomes and effect sizes were generally similar or stronger compared to models with people convicted of nonsexual crime (n = 2854). DRAOR Acute scores were consistently and incrementally related to general recidivism outcomes beyond other scores. In practice, case managers should remain aware that people convicted of sexual crime are at risk for nonsexual recidivism outcomes and assess problematic functioning broadly alongside problems in sexual domains. Clinically, interconnection among domains potentially provides multiple avenues for effective intervention.

Effectiveness of Residential Treatment for Juveniles with Problematic Sexual Behavior: A Systematic Review

Juveniles with problematic sexual behaviors are often placed in residential treatment. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such treatments in terms of reducing recidivism or enhancing mental wellbeing. To better understand the impact of residential treatment for these juveniles we conducted a Systematic Review on studies that reported recidivism rates. PRISMA guidelines were followed. 1126 studies were initially identified, with only six meeting the final inclusion criteria. Sexual recidivism rates averaged 5.20% across the six studies, which is similar rates of non-residential treatments. The results suggest that certain client factors predict recidivism, for example youth labeled as obsessive offenders were more likely to recidivate compared to those labeled as opportunistic. Most studies also measured non-sexual crimes post treatment; recidivism rates for sexual misconduct tended to be lower than for other crimes. Despite the significant intrusion of residential treatment centers, remarkably few empirical studies exist to establish their effectiveness in reducing recidivism. The comparable recidivism rates to non-residential treatment programs begs the question of whether residential centers add value beyond outpatient care and suggest that less restrictive interventions may be sufficient. Helping youth evidencing problematic sexual behaviors involves complex dynamics, however caution is recommended on relying on residential treatment.

Comparing Negative Social Reactions to Sexual and Non-sexual Crimes: An Experimental Study with a Japanese Sample

This study compared negative social reactions and blame among victims of sexual crimes and non-sexual crimes. Vignettes that varied in nature (sexual or non-sexual) and method (violence or intoxication) of crime were randomly assigned to Japanese-speaking respondents. After reading the vignettes, they answered items regarding negative social reactions to victims and blame toward victims and perpetrators. A web-based survey was conducted, and 690 participants completed the questionnaire. The results revealed that respondents who read sexual crime vignettes did not report more negative social reactions or blame than those who read non-sexual crime vignettes. However, respondents who read vignettes describing crimes using violence attributed more blame to victims, and reported a higher possibility of negative social reactions of stigma and distraction than those who read the vignettes that described crime using intoxication. Additionally, female respondents attributed more blame to both victim and perpetrator and exhibited lower negative social reactions. In summary, the results suggest that victims of sexual crimes were not attributed more blame or negative social reactions than those of non-sexual crimes. It suggests that the protection of victims of sexual crimes may be improved by developing general crime victim policies, rather than specialized policies for victims of sexual crimes.Journal instruction requires a city for affiliations; however, this is missing in Affiliation 1. Please verify if the provided city is correct and amend if necessary.It is correct. Thank you.

Investigating the Effect of Post-Release Housing Mobility on Recidivism: Considering Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses.

It is widely understood that stable housing is a key element in the transition from prison to the community. However, many persons under correctional supervision face substantial barriers in securing and maintaining housing, a fact that is heightened among individuals with a sexual offense conviction. Although frequent movement is commonplace among people on parole, it is unclear how housing changes affect recidivism outcomes and whether such mobility uniquely impacts individuals with a sexual offense conviction. In the present study, we use a quasi-experimental propensity score weighting design to compare a sample of individuals paroled from prison in Michigan for sexual and non-sexual crimes (N = 3930) to consider the role of housing mobility on the likelihood of rearrests and technical revocation, with attention to disaggregating sexual crimes against adults and children. Results suggest that increased movement was distinctly associated with a higher hazard of rearrest for individuals with a sexual offense conviction, and a strong predictor of technical return hazard for both individuals with sexual and non-sexual convictions.

Exploring the victim offender overlap among people with an intellectual disability.

BackgroundWhile there is growing international evidence pointing to the increased risks of crime perpetration and victimisation for some people with an intellectual disability, the overlap between offending and victimisation (the victim‐offender overlap) remains unclear.MethodThis study utilised a data linkage methodology of 2600 people with an intellectual disability, exploring their contacts with public mental health services and the police in Victoria, Australia.ResultsVictim‐offenders accounted for a small proportion of the sample (n = 148, 5.7%). The victim‐offender overlap was evident for both violent and nonviolent nonsexual crimes, particularly for theft, burglary, and threat‐related crimes. Key differences were also noted between males and females.ConclusionsPeople with an intellectual disability who are both victim and offenders comprise a small but particularly complex justice‐involved population. Future research should explore the victim offender overlap for males and females separately, as well as any additional risks and vulnerabilities associated with specific mental health diagnoses.

Positive Caregiving Styles Attenuating Effects of Cumulative Trauma Among Youth Who Commit Sexual Crimes.

Among youth who commit sexual crimes, childhood trauma experiences have been linked to a host of outcomes including trauma symptom expression. Furthermore, research has begun assessing differential rates of cumulative adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) between youth who commit sexual and non-sexual crimes. Yet, few studies have comparatively examined rates of cumulative traumatic events using more robust measures of adversity. There is scant research on outcomes associated cumulative trauma among youth who commit sexual crimes including linkages to trauma symptoms and how positive parenting styles (PCSs) can attenuate in this relationship. This study aims to compare cumulative trauma experiences between youth who commit sexual (n = 112) and non-sexual crimes (n = 224). Among youth who commit sexual crimes, we test how PCSs mitigate or moderate the effects of cumulative trauma on trauma symptoms. Results from independent samples t-tests revealed significant group differences on singular and cumulative traumatic experiences, and trauma symptomatology, where youth who commit sexual crimes had higher rates of all. Stepwise linear regressions revealed mitigating effects of maternal PCSs and tests of moderation revealed main and interaction effects, where intermediate positive maternal caregiving styles for youth with higher cumulative trauma were associated with greater trauma symptomatology. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Psychiatric and Forensic Differences Between Men Charged with Sex Offences and Men Charged with Other Offences.

Studies on differences between individuals convicted of sexual offences and nonsexual offences are sparse and there is an on-going debate as to whether sexual offenders differ from other offenders. The primary aim of this study was to determine demographic characteristics, prevalence of mental disorders, alcohol and drug use at the time of the crime and the criminal responsibility of individuals charged with sexual offences, compared to nonsexual crimes, with the aim of bringing awareness to the similarities and differences between men charged with sex offences and those charged with other crimes. This is a single-institution retrospective study of subjects charged with sexual offences and sent for institutional psychiatric evaluation to a Forensic Psychiatric Centre in an urban, academic, tertiary-care center. The control group consisted of individuals charged with nonsexual offences referred to the same center. Results showed significant differences between individuals charged with sexual offences and nonsexual offences. Men charged with sex offences more frequently committed their crimes alone and victimized children equally as often as adults. They also less frequently pleaded guilty in court. They were more likely to be abused in childhood and more often had antisocial personality disorder and paraphilias and less often substance-related disorders. The majority were considered criminally responsible. Our results show that sex offenders are different from nonsex offenders in many characteristics of their personal history, offence characteristics and forensic evaluations and these particular differences warrant different approaches to the prevention of future re-offending, compared to nonsex offenders.

The Colombian Special Jurisdiction for Peace

Abstract The Colombian Special Jurisdiction for Peace (Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz, SJP) is the judicial component of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition created by the Peace Agreement signed between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — People’s Army in November 2016. The SJP started functioning in March 2018 and has already selected a few priority cases, some of which include sexual and gender-based crimes. It is to be expected that more cases involving these crimes will be initiated in the future. This article aims to offer some considerations for the SJP as it begins its investigation and adjudication of cases involving sexual and gender-based crimes. These considerations relate to ensuring that the full scope of sexual and gender-based violence is captured, including the experiences of male victims and the gender components of non-sexual crimes; and that the contextualization of sexual violence is prioritized over unnecessary considerations about the personal motives of the perpetrators.

An exploration of individual differences in a sample of youth charged with violent sexual and non-sexual crimes

Youth who engage in violent crime, including sexual offences, remain understudied. Research conducted on adults suggests that factors linked to antisocial and violent behaviour may enhance the current understanding of sexual offences. These factors include a consideration of how dark personality traits (such as psychopathy) and childhood maltreatment may inform the likelihood of sexual offending. Utilizing a sample of juvenile alleged violent offenders (n = 113), the present study examines the construct of adolescent psychopathy, with abuse as a potential moderator, in relation to offence perpetration. Contrary to some of the literature on adults, the findings indicate that neither psychopathy nor experience of abuse differentiates sexual from non-sexual violent offenders. They also suggest that scoring higher on psychopathy relates to violence more broadly. The importance of tailored programming for youth who may be at risk of offending or who require treatment in the justice system is explored.

The Covariation of Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Among Self-Identified Sexually Aggressive Criminal and Noncriminal Samples.

This study examined the association of sexually appetitive fantasies and sexually coercive behaviors among adult men convicted of nonsexual crimes (n = 159) and adult men with no criminal histories (n = 219). Individuals completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression (MASA) and, on the basis of these reports, were classified whether or not they had ever attempted to assault or coerce someone sexually. Consistent with fewer opportunities to engage in sexual behavior, individuals with criminal histories reported generally less preoccupation, compulsivity, and frequency than did noncriminal individuals. Regardless of criminal history, self-identified sexually coercive men reported significantly more sexually appetitive fantasy and behavior in general and sexually deviant behavior in particular than did noncoercive males. Implications of these findings for research, theory, and dispositional decisions are discussed.

Differentiating Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Two-Country Latent Class Analysis.

Sexual offenses are often part of a larger criminal career also encompassing nonsexual crimes. However, most sexual offending typologies focus on an individual's most recent sexual offense. We compare data from Belgian and Dutch national conviction cohorts and use latent class analysis to distinguish groups of individuals based on their history of sexual and nonsexual offenses, considering continuity and variety. The resulting classification is compared between individuals convicted of sexual offenses and individuals convicted of nonsexual offenses. Results show that four latent classes can be distinguished based on continuity and variety in criminal histories of individuals convicted of sexual offenses, and that some of these classes resemble those distinguished among individuals convicted of nonsexual offenses. We find limited overlap between these latent classes and typologies based solely on the index offense. Results show marked similarities across countries. These results challenge theories of sexual offending to incorporate patterns of nonsexual offending.

Comparing Treatment Modalities For Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency has improved by 65 percent from 1980 through 2016. The criminal justice system has explored various means of treating juvenile delinquents over the years to improve recidivism rates and to give youth a rewarding adult life. Most juvenile delinquency programs use a Usual Community Service (UCS) treatment method while the youth are incarcerated or immediately after release. UCS uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to help the juvenile link their thoughts and behaviors. While Short-term Behavioral Therapy did not take off with the public or juvenile justice system, Multisystemic Therapy (MST) has showed progress in reducing recidivism of juvenile offenders. Studies have found that engaging the family in the treatment process has contributed to the reduced recidivism rates. For example, participants that enrolled in the UCS treatment modality had an increased recidivism rate of 75 percent while 29.2 percent of the group members from the MST recidivated within a year. At the end of a longitudinal study (8.9 years), researchers found that juveniles who received UCS treatment re-offended with a sex crime 45.8 percent and 58.3 percent re-offended for non-sexual crimes. After incarceration, 24 families participated in the MST treatment model. After a year, 8.3 percent re-offended for a sex crime and 29.2 percent re-offended with a non-sexual crime. Therefore, a family-based therapy model is salient to reduce recidivism compared to CBT based. This paper employs a meta-analysis and statistical analysis of seminal knowledge and law enforcement reports to construct the importance of effective therapeutic treatments by comparing treatment modalities for juvenile delinquents. Keywords: Juvenile Delinquency, Youth, Usual Community Service, Short-term Behavioral, Therapy, Systems Theory, Multisystemic Therapy, Recidivism, Antisocial Behavior

Victimization Experiences and Executive Dysfunction as Discriminating Risk Indicators for Youth Offender Typologies.

Research is becoming increasingly nuanced in its examination of offenders, and thus typological distinctions according to generalist and/or specialization offense profiles may be notable for targeted intervention efforts within and between classifications of offenders. There is a significant body of evidence identifying early-life victimization and executive function deficits as critical developmental antecedents to sexual and non-sexual offending alike, but they have not been exhaustively evaluated as a discernable experience among criminally versatile offenders (youth who commit both sexual and non-sexual crimes). This study aims to address gaps by examining associations between early-life victimization, other traumatic experiences in the home, and executive functioning deficits and then test how disparate offending groups differentially experience these early risks. Using a sample of juvenile-justice-involved youth (N = 200), who committed sexual only offenses (n = 41), non-sexual only offenses (n = 124), and criminally versatile offenders (n = 27), multivariate analysis of variance tests and bivariate correlations were conducted. Results revealed that there were statistically significant correlations between measures of executive functioning and specific incidents of victimization, particularly sexual, physical, and emotional. There were also significant group differences in measures of sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse, and executive functioning with criminally versatile offenders showing higher rates of physical and emotional abuse and sexual only offenders showing higher rates of sexual abuse and some executive functioning deficits. Practice and research implications are discussed.

Relationships between Early Life Victimization, Antisocial Traits, and Sexual Violence: Executive Functioning as a Mediator

ABSTRACTFew research studies examine how the relationship between trauma and executive functioning can influence sexual violence among youth. Knight and Sims-Knight (2004) proposed a Developmental Etiological Theory (DET) connecting early life physical and sexual victimization to sexual violence via antisocial traits. Drawing from research that identifies a link between early life victimization and executive functioning, this study tests an adaptation to the DET by including executive functioning as an intervening factor. Using data on adolescents adjudicated of sexual and non-sexual crimes in a western state (N = 200), multiple structural equation models tested direct and indirect relationships between early life sexual, physical victimization, and other adversity, four differential forms of executive functioning, callousness, and sexual violence. Results revealed statistically significant direct pathways between variables of interest and a multi-meditational effect of certain forms of executive functioning and callousness in the relationship between victimization and sexual violence. Treatment and research implications are discussed.

Criminogenic Needs as Intervening Factors in the Relation Between Insecure Attachments and Youth Sexual Violence.

There is a strong theoretical and research base demonstrating the link between attachment styles and adolescent sexual offending. However, this relationship may be best explained by deficit-based mediational pathways including criminogenic needs such as emotional or affect regulation and callousness. Grady, Levenson, and Bolder propose a framework that details criminogenic needs as intermediary variables in the attachment-sexual offending relationship. Using data on adolescents adjudicated of sexual and nonsexual crimes in a Western state (N = 200), two structural equation models (SEM) tested direct and indirect relationships between ambivalent and avoidant attachment styles (in separate models), dysregulation including cognitive and behavioral transitions, emotional control, and inhibited/impulsive behaviors, callousness, delinquency, and offending type (sexual or nonsexual offending). Results revealed statistically significant direct pathways between variables of interest and a multimediational effect of dysregulation and callousness in the relationship between insecure attachments and sexual offending. Treatment, policy, and research implications are discussed.

Using Latent Class Analysis to Explore Subtypes of Youth Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses

Attempts to identify typologies of youth who have committed sexual offenses have been challenged by their overlapping characteristics with youth who have committed nonsexual crimes, as well as methodological limitations that make the results difficult to translate into direct practice. In the current study, a technical new way of identifying subtypes of these young people was proposed using latent class analysis, a person-centered approach that allows categorical subtypes to be revealed by the data rather than hypothesized differences based on individual factors. The indicators included in this analysis were sexual behaviors only, thereby eliminating any overlap with general delinquents. In a sample of 573 male youth between the ages of 11 and 20 ( M = 16.75, SD = 1.72), four unique classes were identified. Research implications are offered.