Sex offenders seem to be the most feared and despised offenders in the criminal justice system, yet they are also some of the least understood. Due to the nature of the crimes that sexual offenders commit and the media saturation that can be related to these crimes, American culture has been considerably affected by Megan’s Law. This law includes community notification rights for registered sex offenders and beliefs about sex offender incarceration. Media depictions of the “worst of the worst” sex offenders put all types of sex offenders under one overarching label. Sex offenders, as a forensic population, actually are quite heterogeneous, and there are substantial differences among the types of sex offenders. However, because of media representations and generalizations, it is not apparent in popular discourse how sex offender types differ. Additionally, because of these differences among types of sex offenders, treatment approaches and outcomes differ, too. Power rapists, date rapists, hebephiles, pedophiles, incest offenders, exhibitionists, regressed pedophiles, and sexually abusive individuals are all very different from one another and require different treatment approaches.
When it comes to treatment approaches and outcomes, it is imperative to understand the individual offender as well as the type of sexual deviance. For example, the power rapist who chooses unknown victims usually presents with predatory behavior, which may complicate treatment approaches. Each offender’s offense history and psychology must be evaluated and considered when selecting a treatment approach and ensuing outcome.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Review the website Center for Sex Offender Management: Subtypes and Typologies. Consider similarities and differences among the types of sex offenders.
Review the course media found in this week’s resources and consider the characteristics of sexual offender populations that present challenges to successful treatment. Also, think about the legal challenges related to the successful treatment of sexual offenders.
Then, select two types of sex offenders to compare for this Discussion.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post a brief description of the two types of sex offenders you selected and explain at least two similarities and two differences between these two types of sex offenders. Then explain one challenge related to the treatment of each type of sex offender and why it is a challenge.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.