Sample Of Sexual Offenders Research Articles

Improving the Measurement of Criminal Sexual Behavior

Randomized responding technique (RRT), a method for maintaining anonymity, was used with a sample of sexual offenders recruited into a treatment outcome study. Prior to release from incarceration, three groups--those randomly assigned to treatment, those randomly assigned to no-treatment control, and those who refused participation in the treatment study but consented to a prerelease interview--participated in an alternate-questions RRT procedure. This procedure pairs a nonsensitive question with the sensitive question of interest, in this case, the number of prior sex offenses. Respondents answered either the sensitive or nonsensitive question, depending on the results of a randomizing device (roll of dice). The distributions for the nonsensitive questions were highly skewed; therefore, the outliers were removed and RRT estimates calculated. RRT estimates of prior offending (2.20 prior offenses) were significantly higher than officially recorded prior offenses (0.51 prior offenses). The pattern of differences between treatment and control groups were similar in RRT estimates and officially recorded priors, as were the correlations between RRT estimates and other self-report scales. These results provide preliminary evidence that RRT is a useful method for generating reoffending data that are more sensitive than officially recorded offenses and that contain less bias than other self-reports.

A modified Stroop task with sexual offenders: Replication of a study

Cognitive–behavioural treatment of sexual offenders assumes that sexual offenders are motivated by deviant attitudes, perceptions and values. Although aspects of deviant schema can be assessed by questionnaires, self-report measures are limited by the respondent's willingness to be forthright and by the fact that, typically, these cognitive processes occur quickly, revealing signs of automaticity. Recent research by Smith and Waterman has suggested that the deviant schema of sexual offenders could be assessed using a version of the Stroop colour-naming task. Long latency periods to sexual colour words imply a longer information-processing route and evidence of pre-established (deviant) sexual cognitive schema. Stroop techniques may offer the advantage of eliminating limitations that arise when using self-report techniques, such as fakeability and social desirability concerns. The current study replicates and extends Smith and Waterman's results using samples of sexual offenders, non-sexual violent offenders and non-violent offenders. The cumulative results of the two studies suggests that Stroop techniques have promise, but that further work is required before measures are available that have sufficient reliability and validity to be used in applied contexts.

Effect of Age-at-Release on Long Term Sexual Re-offense Rates in Civilly Committed Sexual Offenders

A cohort of 136 rapists and 115 child molesters civilly committed to a prison in Massachusetts and followed for 25 years (see Prentky, Lee, Knight, & Cerce, 1997) was examined for the effect of age at time of release on sexual recidivism. The present study (1) examined the recidivism rates for each of five age-at-release groups, separately for rapists and child molesters, (2) tested the fit of linear and quadratic models for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25-year windows using Cox regression analysis, (3) presented the predicted failure rates for rapists (up to five years post-release) and child molesters (out 21 years post-release), and (4) provided a computational formula for estimating the sexual recidivism rate given an individual's age and number of years post-release. For rapists, a linear model extending 5 years best captured our data (LR=5.62, p<.02). Going out any further than 5 years did not enhance the predictive efficacy of the model. By contrast, a quadratic model extending the full duration of the study (25 years) provided the best fit (LR=6.30, p<.04) for child molesters. Our data supported the general conclusion that risk of sexual recidivism diminishes as a function of increasing age at time of release for rapists. We found marked differences, however, in the re-offense patterns of rapists and child molesters, with the latter group evidencing a distinct quadratic, rather than linear, pattern. Since these findings derive from a population screened for civil commitment by virtue of their presumptive dangerousness, they may not be generalizable to samples of sex offenders drawn from the general prison population.

Effect of Age-at-Release on Long Term Sexual Re-offense Rates in Civilly Committed Sexual Offenders

A cohort of 136 rapists and 115 child molesters civilly committed to a prison in Massachusetts and followed for 25 years (see Prentky, Lee, Knight, & Cerce, 1997) was examined for the effect of age at time of release on sexual recidivism. The present study (1) examined the recidivism rates for each of five age-at-release groups, separately for rapists and child molesters, (2) tested the fit of linear and quadratic models for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25-year windows using Cox regression analysis, (3) presented the predicted failure rates for rapists (up to five years post-release) and child molesters (out 21 years post-release), and (4) provided a computational formula for estimating the sexual recidivism rate given an individual's age and number of years post-release. For rapists, a linear model extending 5 years best captured our data (LR=5.62, p<.02). Going out any further than 5 years did not enhance the predictive efficacy of the model. By contrast, a quadratic model extending the full duration of the study (25 years) provided the best fit (LR=6.30, p<.04) for child molesters. Our data supported the general conclusion that risk of sexual recidivism diminishes as a function of increasing age at time of release for rapists. We found marked differences, however, in the re-offense patterns of rapists and child molesters, with the latter group evidencing a distinct quadratic, rather than linear, pattern. Since these findings derive from a population screened for civil commitment by virtue of their presumptive dangerousness, they may not be generalizable to samples of sex offenders drawn from the general prison population.

Assessing crossover in a sample of sexual offenders with multiple victims

Purpose. This study examined the proportion of sexual offenders in England and Wales who exhibited ‘crossover’ in their choice of victim, as defined by age, gender and relationship to the offender. It subsequently aimed to identify criminal and demographic variables predictive of crossover.Method. The sample comprised 1,345 adult male sexual offenders. All had offended against multiple victims and had been discharged from custody in England and Wales between 1992 and 1996. Offence summaries within police records were used to collect victim details for each sexual conviction for each offender, and criminal conviction histories were obtained from the Offenders Index for the sample.Results. A quarter of the sample (24.5%, n = 330) demonstrated crossover behaviour in regard to at least one of the victim dimensions examined (i.e. age, gender or relationship). Using the risk predictor Static‐99, these offenders were found to be significantly riskier than those who did not display crossover behaviour. Multinomial regression failed to identify reliable variables predictive of crossover.Conclusions. The findings from this study are likely to represent an underestimate of the prevalence of crossover within sexual offenders in England and Wales. Reasons for this are discussed, and the implications of crossover for offender risk assessment, treatment, community supervision and policing practices are explored.

Elevated Prolactin Levels among Adult Male Sex Offenders

A sample of 528 successive admissions to the Phoenix Program, a voluntary inpatient treatment program for sex offenders, was studied in regards to serum prolactin levels. Serum prolactins were obtained as part of a battery of endocrine tests. A substantial number of patients had prolactin levels above the normal range, i.e., 21.0 microg/L. In this sample, fully 10.0% of the men showed elevated prolactin levels (the maximum being 41.0 microg/L), compared with an expected 2.5% according to laboratory norms. None of these individuals had clinical manifestations of prolactinoma. The significance of this increased rate of hyperprolactinemia in this sample of sexual offenders is unclear. There was a negative correlation with age and no correlation with other endocrine tests.

Patterns of attachment and alcohol abuse in sexual and violent non-sexual offenders

Two studies related to substance abuse and sexual offending were conducted. In the first study, a sample of 94 sexual offenders and 21 violent non-sexual offenders, incarcerated within the Ontario Region of Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), were administered the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) and the Relationship Styles Questionnaire (RSQ). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) was also scored for the majority of offenders included in the present study. Results indicated that the groups differed on PCL-R score, with both rapists and violent non-sexual offenders scoring significantly higher than the child molesters with reference to total PCL-R score. Sex offenders’ mean score on the MAST were significantly higher than those of the violent non-sexual offenders. The mean score on the MAST for sex offenders was in the problem drinking range. With reference to attachment pattern, sex offenders were found to be more preoccupied than violent non-sexual comparison subjects. In the second study, a sample of sexual offenders, all of whom exhibited elevated levels of alcohol abuse as measured by the MAST, were divided into two groups based on whether or not they had completed a substance abuse treatment programme. Sexual offenders (all of whom received sex offender-specific treatment) who also received substance abuse treatment evidenced significantly lower levels of general recidivism than those who did not complete such treatment. Results are discussed in light of previous findings in relation to differing patterns of substance abuse between sexual and violent non-sexual offenders observed in the literature as well as with reference to Marshall's attachment theory.

Risk prediction and failure in a complete urban sample of sex offenders

Considerable progress has been made in developing risk prediction tools for sex offenders based on fixed variables. The aim of this study was to explore the comparative utility of the Risk Matrix 2000 and Static 99 on an urban community sample of child molesters and rapists, with reference to sexual recidivism, general community failure and the possible impact of treatment. The role of key developmental variables was explored in relation to risk prediction. The sample comprised 310 sex offenders, 273 of whom had been at risk in the community for an average of four years. The sexual reconviction rate was very low at 2%. Preliminary analyses suggested that the predictive accuracy of existing tools was enhanced by considering childhood difficulties. Future research should replicate the findings in the light of dynamic models of risk prediction.

Testing an Etiological Model for Male Juvenile Sexual Offending Against Females

SUMMARY Research on the origin of sexual aggression has identified several important contributing factors: (a) early abuse (physical and sexual), (b) personality/behavioral traits (callousness and unemotionality, antisocial behavior/impulsivity, and hypersexuality), and (c) attitudinal/cognitive variables (negative masculinity, hostility toward women, misogynistic fantasies). We developed and tested an etiological model of sexual coercion on adult samples of sexual offenders and community controls. The model proposes three major causal pathways to sexual coercion. Using data gathered from a computerized interview, we employed this same model to predict sexually coercive behavior in a sample of 218 juvenile sexual offenders. The cross-sample consistency of the model provides support for a unified theory of sexual aggression against women.

Sex hormones and biogenic amine turnover of sex offenders in relation to their temperament and character dimensions

Relationships between Cloninger's temperament and character dimensions and plasma sex hormone levels and biogenic amine turnover were studied in male prison inmates convicted of rape ( n=61) or child molestation ( n=24) and normal male controls ( n=25). The participants completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), which includes the temperament dimensions Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence and Persistence as well as the character dimensions Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness and Self-Transcendence. Plasma levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone were estimated in plasma samples and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in urine samples. Both sex offender groups had higher Novelty, Seeking and lower Reward Dependence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness scores compared with the controls. Plasma levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were significantly higher in rapists than in controls. Novelty Seeking scores were positively correlated with LH levels in rapists, and with testosterone levels in child molesters. Harm Avoidance scores were negatively correlated with 5-HIAA levels in rapists and with HVA levels in child molesters. In rapists, the calculated free androgen index showed a negative correlation with 5-HIAA. For the sex offender sample as a whole, the subgroup with high testosterone levels had higher Harm Avoidance scores, the subgroup with low HVA levels had lower Cooperativeness scores, and the subgroups with high 5HIAA or MHPG levels had lower Persistence scores. The results indicate that Novelty Seeking behavior in the group of rapists is associated with a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitry-gonadal axis. In addition, low serotonin turnover and low dopamine turnover seem to be associated with a passive-avoidant behavioral style in rapists and child molesters, respectively.

Temperament and character dimensions of sex offenders in relation to their parental rearing

The aim of the present study was to investigate the interrelation between the personality dimensions, according to the temperament and character theory of Cloninger, and the parenting received in childhood, of subjects who have been convicted for rape and child molestation. For this purpose, 59 rapists, 37 child molesters, and 25 healthy controls completed: (1) The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), which measures the heritable temperament dimensions Novelty Seeking (NS), Harm Avoidance (HA), Reward Dependence (RD), and Persistence (PE), and the character dimensions Self Directedness (SD), Cooperativeness (CO), and Self Transcendence (ST). (2) The Measurement of Parental Style (MOPS), which creates the subscales ‘indifference’, ‘overcontrol’ and ‘abuse’ for each parent. We found that NS levels were significantly increased and RD, SD, and CO levels were significantly decreased in both sex offender groups, while PE levels were significantly decreased only in the rapists, and ST levels were significantly increased only in the child molesters, in relation to the controls. The reported father abusiveness in rapists, as well as the reported mother abusiveness in child molesters were significantly increased, in relation to the controls. In the group of rapists, CO levels were negatively correlated with the reported father abusiveness, while the observed low levels of CO could be predicted from father abusiveness. In child molesters, PE levels were negatively correlated with the reported mother abusiveness, while the RD dimension was negatively correlated with the reported father overcontrol. In conclusion, the low levels of RD, PE, and CO of this sex offender sample seems to be linked with the reported abusive/affectionless control style of their parental rearing, while the abusive parental rearing in the group of rapists may contribute to the development of personalities with low CO.

Prevalence and risk factors of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in a forensic population of rapists and child molesters

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence as well as the possible risk factors of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, in 194 male prisoners who had been convicted for rape (n = 105) or child molestation (n = 89). HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV-1/2 were tested for. The participants also completed a standard sociodemographic questionnaire, indicating possible risk factors, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and the life-time history of aggression. Anti-HIV antibodies were not found in any of the prisoners. HBsAg was found in 25 (13%), anti-HBc in 94 (49%), anti-HBs in 40 (21%) and anti-HCV in 13 (6.5%) subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that anti-HCV positivity was associated with intravenous drug use (OR 20.7, 95% CI 1.1-4.9, P<0.001), while HBsAg positivity was associated separately with being foreign (OR 4.0, 95% CI 0.2-2.5, P<0.1), as well as with impulsiveness score (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.11, P<0.02). The prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in this sex offender sample was highly increased in relation to the general population. Since it has been proved that sex offenders are a high-risk group for reoffending, monitoring their health is a necessary step towards prevention of sexually transmitted diseases being spread.

The violent reconvictions of sexual offenders

The violent reconvictions of a sample of sexual offenders discharged from prison between 1992 and 1996 (who had not been reconvicted of a sexual offence) were examined. The hypothesis was that a proportion of these violent reconvictions would have a sexual motivation. The sample consisted of 104 adult male sexual offenders for whom detailed information regarding their violent reconviction was available. The sample was categorized according to the motivation of the violent reconviction. It was found that a proportion of the violent reconvictions were sexually motivated (12%) and that some of these had resulted from an original charge for a sexual offence. Significant differences were found between the sexual motivation and violent motivation group on the number of criminal history and victim characteristic variables. It was concluded that, in the case of sexual offenders, violent convictions might mask the true motivation of the offence.

Dimensions Associated with Assessments of Sex Offender Recidivism Risk

This research explored empirical dimensions of sex offender recidivism risk. Study 1 portrayed descriptive statistics and factor structure information concerning actuarial risk instruments and diagnoses derived from a sample of sex offenders being evaluated for civil commitment in Wisconsin. Study 2 used a sample from England and Wales to analyze the relationships between individual risk factors commonly found as items within actuarial scales. Factor structure results from Study 2 conceptually overlapped those found in the first sample, and variables developed from this factor structure predicted sexual reconviction as well. Results from these two studies are discussed in terms of separable components of risk for sexual recidivism and the roles those components may play in processes underlying sexual reoffense.

Exploring Levels of Moral Development Among Sex Offenders Participating in Community-Based Treatment

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate levels of moral reasoning among sex offenders court-ordered into a community-based treatment program. Method: The study employed a static-group comparison design in examining the moral reasoning level of 72 adult men, 32% African-American, court-ordered into a community-based treatment program for sexual offenses. Results: Comparison of the study sample to national normative data indicated that this sample of sex offenders was employing a level of moral reasoning two standard deviations lower than adults in general. Conclusion: Potential implications of the findings for enhancing community-based treatment for sex offenders were explored and discussed.

A study of clerics who commit sexual offenses: are they different from other sex offenders?

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine if cleric-sex offenders differed significantly from other sex offenders when compared to a control group and assessed with standard instruments that examine the major factors important in sexual offenses. Method: Twenty-four male clerics accused of sexual offenses were compared to 24 male sex offender controls, matched on offense type, age, education, and marital status. Both groups were compared to a general sample of sex offenders ( n = 2125) matched only for offense type. The three groups were compared on sexual history and preference, substance abuse, mental illness and personality, history of crime and violence, neuropsychological impairment, and endocrine abnormalities, using reliable and valid measures. Results: The clerics in this study formed a statistically significant highly educated, older, and predominantly single subgroup of sex offenders. The majority of cleric-sex offenders suffered from a sexual disorder (70.8%), predominantly homosexual pedophilia, as measured by phallometric testing, but did not differ from the control groups in this respect. The clerics were comparable to the other two groups in most respects, but tended to show less antisocial personality disorders and somewhat more endocrine disorders. The most noteworthy features differentiating the clerics from highly educated matched controls were that clerics had a longer delay before criminal charges were laid, or lacked criminal charges altogether, and they tended to use force more often in their offenses. Conclusions: In spite of differences in age, education, and occupation between cleric-sex offenders and sex offenders in general, the same procedures should be used in the assessment of this group as for the sex offender population in general. Hypotheses about reduced sexual outlet and increased sexual abuse of clerics in childhood were not supported. Assessment and treatment of cleric-sex offenders should focus especially on sexual deviance, substance abuse, and endocrine disorders.

Physicians who commit sexual offences: are they different from other sex offenders?

To determine if physician sex offenders differ significantly from other sex offenders by using a control group and assessing both groups with reliable and valid instruments. Nineteen male physician sex offenders were compared with 19 male sex offender control subjects, matched on offence type, age, education, and marital status. Both groups were compared with a general sample of sex offenders (n = 2125). The 3 groups were compared on sexual history and preference, substance abuse, mental illness, personality, history of crime and violence, neuropsychological impairment, and endocrine abnormalities. Physicians in this study were highly educated and older, forming a statistically significant subgroup of sex offenders. The majority of physician sex offenders suffered from a sexual disorder (68.4%), as did the other 2 groups. Physicians showed more neuropsychological impairment and endocrine abnormalities and less antisocial behaviour than did the general sample of sex offenders but did not differ from the matched control group. Physician offenders who sexually assaulted their patients did not differ from those who had nonpatient victims. Despite differences in age, education, and occupation between physician sex offenders and sex offenders in general, the same assessment procedures can be recommended for examining both groups. Although the sample size is small, results suggest that physicians who commit sexual offences should be scrutinized by phallometric assessment of sexual deviance and especially for neurological and endocrine abnormalities.

Review: individual variables have low power to predict recidivism with sex offenders

Hanson RK, Bussière MT. Predicting relapse: a meta-analysis of sexual offender recidivism studies. J Consult Clin Psychol1998 Apr; 66 : 348 –62 [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Question What factors are related...

Contingent negative variation (CNV) and erotic preference in self-declared homosexuals and in child sex offenders

Contingent negative variation (CNV) was recorded bilaterally from central electrodes using a “match/mismatch” paradigm in (Study 1) samples of heterosexual men ( N = 6), gay men ( N = 10) and lesbian women ( N = 14) and (Study 2) in samples of child sex offenders ( N = 34) and heterosexual control men ( N = 19). Sexual orientation was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Sexuality (MSS) and the Human Sexuality Questionnaire (HSQ). Separate CNV averages were formed for each condition of stimulation: for Study 1, slides of adult male and female nudes; for Study 2, slides of child, pubescent and adult male and female nudes. Penile plethysmographic (PPG) data were also obtained from 15 of the child sex offender sample while they viewed stimuli of the same categories as were used in the CNV recording. On the basis of their PPG responses to children, child sex offenders were classified as either “pedophiles” or “non-pedophiles”. In Study 1 significant Group × Sex (of slide) and Group × Electrode interactions indicated that: (i) heterosexual men (but neither homosexual group) showed significantly larger CNVs to female than to male slides; (ii) both homosexual groups showed significantly asymmetrical (R > L) CNVs. In Study 2, controls showed significantly greater CNVs to adult females than to both adult males and female children. Child sex offenders showed no significant differences in CNV to male and female slides for any age. “Non-pedophiles” showed significantly larger CNVs to female adults than to female children, but “pedophiles” did not. It is concluded that CNV has promise as a measure of both deviant and non-deviant sexual preference.

The social desirability of trait descriptive terms: a sample of sexual offenders.

The social desirability of trait descriptive terms: a sample of sexual offenders.