COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

COSIG Co-Occurring Disorders Conference, Hershey PA, May 15-17, 2006
Sex Offenders
(Flora, 2001)
• Defining a sex offense
–A criminal action involving inappropriate
sexual behavior that occurs when one party
does not give, or is incapable of giving,
informed consent (O’Conell et al, 1990).
• Who may commit a sex offense?
– Sex offenders may be preadolescent,
adolescent, or adults.
cont’d
• The majority of offenders are male,
although more more female offenders are
being reported.
• A sexual offender is an individual who
commits a sexual crime that violates
cultural morals or laws, although these
laws may vary by locality and community
standards (Coleman et al, 1996).
cont’d
• Sex offenders (SXO’s) are found among
all races, cultures, age groups, and
religious faiths.
• SXO’s exist within all income groups.
• SXO’s exist within all levels of educational
achievement.
• SXO’s may be known to their victims or
may be strangers.
SXO’s and Social Policy
• Several decades ago SXO’s were considered
good candidates for treatment services that
would provide a cure and protect the
community.
• Most states enacted sex offender
commitment laws in some form, known as:
– “Sexual psychopath laws; Sexually
dangerous persons acts; or Mentally
dangerous sex offenders acts”.
• The desire to commit SXO’s has
resurfaced.
cont’d
• Several states have adopted
indeterminate commitment statutes
• Some new laws are slanted toward
commitment of a SXO only after
incarceration in prison
• Dangerous SXO’s now being involuntarily
committed to a state psychiatric facility
after their sentence has expired.
cont’d
• Parole boards are more reluctant to
discharge a SXO if they have the option to
continue incarceration
• Offenders who refuse treatment may serve
longer sentences or not be released at all.
• Courts are now giving longer sentences
• Professionals in general are now more
alert to the signs of sexual abuse.
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