CH 3 - Applying a Criminal Career Approach to Expose Myths, Misconceptions, and Erroneous Conclusions about Sexual Offending

Criminal Career Research

• focuses on criminal behavior throughout one’s lifetime

  • onset, duration/unfolding, desistance

  • longitudinal data

Challenges in Assessing Prevalance

• definition issues (state vs federal)

• lack of reporting

• lack of resources to investigate and prosecute sex crimes

Around what age are adults who commit sex crimes against women typically first charged?

late 20s - early 30s

Around what age are individuals convicted on sex crimes against children typically?

late 30s - early 40s

F

T/F: Sex offenders are more likely to reoffend upon their release

T

T/F: sex offenders who do recidivate are more likely to commit a non-sexual crime

Why are there fewer males who report when they are a victim of a female sex offender?

traditional gender roles/stereotypes

• questions of masculinity

• patriarchy negatively impacts everyone

What percentage of sex offense cases do females account for?

7% according to official records

• victimization research indicates as high as 12% nationwide

Why are there discrepancies in female offending rates?

• lack of reporting

• societal perceptions that women are incapable of sex crimes

• women viewed as caring/nurturing

Picture of a Typical Female Sex Offender

• white

• 20s - 30s

• have low self-esteem, isolated, depressed, and have been sexually victimized

• unemployed, unstable work histories, or minimum wage jobs

• history of substance abuse

Solo Female Sex Offenders

typically in authoritative position

• teacher

• correctional officer

• babysitter

more likely to victimize males

Does having authority influence behavior?

Juvenile Sex Offenders

• majority are generalist offenders who happen to commit a sexual offense

  • only a small minority are specialist offenders

    • elevated risk for further offending