Criminology Exam Prep ( Section B )

What does the aetiology of sexual offending refer to?

The causes or origins of deviant sexual behavior.

What does it mean with regards to Low Self esteem.

Usually a main contributing factor to sexual offences, may hamper their their progress in reform centre’s. Can be a reaction to being caught or stigmatized.

What are the Individual factors that effect sexual offenders

Low self-esteem, empathy deficit.

Where do empathy deficits come from.

Childhood attachment insecurity. Adolescent’s failure to develop intimate relationships.

What happens when a sexual offender has an empathy deficit.

They do not feel remorse or have compassion for the victims. Deny or excuse themselves from the situation to try and distance themselves from their actions.

What are the two types of sexual offenders.

Deniers and admitters.

What are the common justifications a denier uses to blame their victim.

The victim seduced them, Women who say no, actually mean yes, Most women eventually enjoy the sexual interaction and relax after a while, Good girls do not become victims of rape, The victim was not harmed physically, so the act was a minor transgression, victim, did not resist and actually wanted to have sexual intercourse, Just-world hypothesis

What inadequate social skills makes offenders commit sexual crimes.

The offender’s inability to form appropriate relationships

What situations for Young Males in south africa lead to inadequate social skills.

Those who grow up in adverse situations and in a situation
where primary role-models with healthy balanced gender identities are absent.

What does a lack of inadequate social skills and growing up in a negative enviroment lead the offenders to think about women.

It leads to an absence of realisation that females have
exactly the same rights

What do sex offenders with inadequate social skills showcase.

Display social anxiety, aggression and under-assertiveness and a lack of empathy towards others.

What makes a person more likely to sexually offend.

Having experienced prior sexual assault themselves and sexual victimization

What main psychological element is removed when a person is affected by childhood victimization.

They may not be aware of the harmful effects of their behaviour and may not recognise their actions as deviant

What increases the likelihood of a child becoming a sexual offender.

When there is violence involved in their sexual acts as a child.

What are the community factors.

Culture of violence, Use of substances. Pornography.

What main issue does a culture of violence create.

Leads the offender to believe that violence is the correct avenue for disputes to be solved. The anger and violence are the natural extension of intimate relationships.

What does the use of substances contribute to sexual offenders.

The rate of substance abuse reported among sex offenders is three to four times higher compared to the community sample of non-delinquent youth.

Which youth group is most likely to abuse substances.

the use of substances occurred more frequently among youth offenders who committed non-sexual offences than among youth sex offenders

What happens to consent when the victim is under the influence of drugs or other impairing substances.

It is stated in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 that, among other things, consent is absent where the victim was under the influence of substances that led to an altered state of consciousness

Is the offender held liable even if they are under the effect of substances at the time.

The victim is deemed unable to have been in a position to consent, but the offenders are expected to take full responsibility for their actions, despite being under the influence of a substance as well

What are the four main reasons people choose to view pornography.

Maintaining relationships, Mood management (to alleviate depression or boredom), Habitual use (some view it as a hobby)
Means to satisfy sexual fantasies

What are the three factors that bolster the effect that pornography has on an individual and their tendencies to commit sexual offences.

The person must have attitudes supportive of sexual offending
The person must have a lack of or low self-control
The person must have been exposed to the norms and supports these norms about sexual encounters as it is portrayed in pornography