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An examination of the assumptions of specialization, mental disorder, and dangerousness in sex offenders
Author(s) -
Simon Leonore M. J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/1099-0798(200003/06)18:2/3<275::aid-bsl393>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - mental health , commit , criminology , legislation , psychology , criminal justice , sex offender , criminal law , poison control , sex offense , empirical research , suicide prevention , psychiatry , law , political science , medicine , medical emergency , sexual abuse , philosophy , epistemology , database , computer science
Sex offenders have been singled out for differential treatment by the legal and mental health systems. This article attempts to inform law reform efforts and criminal justice mental health policy by examining the assumptions underlying differential legal and mental health treatment of sex offenders. These assumptions include the theories that sex offenders are mentally disordered and in need of treatment, specialists in sex crimes, and more dangerous than other criminal offenders. Empirical findings demonstrate that sex offenders are not specialists in sex crimes and are not mentally disordered. Examination of past research suggests that sex offenders are not at more risk than other criminal offenders to commit future sex crimes. Implications of research findings for selective prosecution of sex crime cases, mental health policy, sex offender legislation, and predictions of future dangerousness are discussed. Proposals for future research needs and law reform are presented. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.