Dangerous Sex Offenders: Recidivism and Risk Factors Associated with Serious Sexual Offending

There is limited research on dangerous sex offenders in Australia. The current PhD study examined reoffending rates of offenders classified as dangerous in Queensland Supreme Courts. A review of the literature noted that sex offenders generally have low recidivism rates. Offenders considered high-risk are more likely to re-offend with general offences, but the overall level of sexual and nonsexual violent recidivism was low. Further, early onset of offending, diverse criminal careers, diverse victimologies, ecological change, and substance misuse were factors for recidivism. Last, the project identified that conceptualising dangerousness is complex and fraught with ethical and legal concerns.