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Crookes RL, Tramontano C, Brown SJ, Walker K, Wright H. Older Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Literature Review. SEXUAL ABUSE : A JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2022; 34:341-371. [PMID: 34176346 PMCID: PMC8905121 DOI: 10.1177/10790632211024244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The population of older individuals convicted of sexual offenses (OSOs) is rapidly increasing. However, we have little understanding of their characteristics (e.g., demographic, psychological, individual, offense, and risk) and needs. To identify any similarities or differences that are unique to older individuals convicted of sexual offending, it is important to compare such characteristics across the adult lifespan. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to specify and synthesize the current knowledge of characteristics across the adult lifespan of the population of individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Five databases were searched and 10,680 results were screened, resulting in 100 studies included in the final review. The findings were grouped into four emergent themes: age of onset and prevalence; offender and offense characteristics; age and the risk of reoffending; and treatment. Implications of the findings from this review are discussed in relation to future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah J. Brown
- University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Queensland, Australia
- University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Walker
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton, UK
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Nagtegaal MH, Boonmann C. Child Sexual Abuse and Problems Reported by Survivors of CSA: A Meta-Review. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2022; 31:147-176. [PMID: 34633279 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2021.1985673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A systematic meta-review of reviews and meta-analyses on problems reported by survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) was conducted. The aim was to comprise a comprehensive overview of 1) problems reported by survivors of CSA, and 2) variables moderating these relations. Two raters independently conducted a search through PubMed, PsychINFO, Campbell Library, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Twenty-five reviews and meta-analyses reporting on 53 problems related to CSA were analyzed. All fell into five domains: medical, psychological, sexual, repeated (self-)harm, and a final category of other problems. Thirty-six of all problems (68%) were consistently and significantly more commonly reported by CSA survivors as compared to individuals without a history of CSA. Most moderator analyses did not significantly influence these relationships. In conclusion, CSA is associated with various problems across different domains and overall, these problems are prevalent independent of specific characteristics of and circumstances surrounding the abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cyril Boonmann
- Psychiatric University Hospitals (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
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Allan A, Parry CL, Ferrante A, Gillies C, Griffiths CS, Morgan F, Spiranovic C, Smallbone S, Tubex H, Wong SCP. Assessing the Risk of Australian Indigenous Sexual Offenders Reoffending: A Review of the Research Literature and Court Decisions. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2018; 26:274-294. [PMID: 31984077 PMCID: PMC6762098 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2018.1504242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of offenders' risk of reoffending, particularly sexual reoffending, is a core activity of forensic mental health practitioners. The purpose of these assessments is to reduce the risk of harm to the public, but they are controversial and become more contentious when Australian practitioners who want to undertake such assessments in an ethically responsible way must use reliable validated instruments, disclose the limitations of their assessment methods, instruments and data to judicial decision-makers and understand how decision-makers might use their reports. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to explore the practices of Australian practitioners and courts in respect of the assessment of Australian Indigenous male sexual offenders' risk of reoffending. We could not identify an instrument that has been developed for the assessment of this population group. Australian courts differ in whether they admit and give weight to practitioners' evidence and opinions based on data obtained with non-validated instruments. We could only identify three possible predictor variables with enough quantitative support to justify including them in an instrument that could be used to assess Indigenous sexual offenders. There is a need for research regarding the validity of the instruments that practitioners use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Allan
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan
University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Catherine L. Parry
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan
University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Anna Ferrante
- PHRN Centre for Data Linkage, Faculty of
Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA,
Australia
| | | | - Catherine S. Griffiths
- School of Population and Global Health,
University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Francis Morgan
- School of Law, University of
Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health,
University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Caroline Spiranovic
- School of Law, University of
Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Law School, University of Western
Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Stephen Smallbone
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith
University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hilde Tubex
- Law School, University of Western
Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Stephen C. P. Wong
- Department of Psychology, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada and
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of
Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
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Rowlands MT, Palk G, Young RM. Psychological and Legal Aspects of Dangerous Sex Offenders: A Review of the Literature. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2017; 24:812-824. [PMID: 31983992 PMCID: PMC6818440 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2017.1315763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to review legislation on 'dangerous sex offenders' critically. Most modern legislation determines an individual to be 'dangerous' if he or she is at unacceptably high risk of committing further sexual violence. While the decision is judicial in practice, clinical testimony is utilised to inform courts' decision-making. Dangerousness may be a normative (legal) construct, but it is reliant on clinical assessment. Offenders are not at risk only due to historical factors; the possibility of committing sexual violence in the future is likely affected by temporal factors such as response to therapy, substance misuse, and proximity to victims. It is not clear that mental illness would place an offender at risk, although certain personality disorders are considered to be risk factors. In reporting actual risk, clinicians need to consider a range of variables, and not exclusively use actuarial measures or unstructured clinical interviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. T. Rowlands
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - G. Palk
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - R. McD. Young
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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