Transaction Search Form: please type in any of the fields below.
Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 11:41 am
Time: 11:41 am
Results for sex offenses
52 results foundAuthor: Williams, Linda M. Title: Pathways into and out of commercial sexual victimization of children: Understanding and responding to sexually exploited teens Summary: For the past two years the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Fair Fund, Inc., along with partners in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C., USA, have been conducting an in-depth, field-based study of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) taking a life course perspective in examining the lives of female and male victims with a focus on prostituted teens. The Pathways Project examines pathways into and out of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) via prostitution and to provide useful information to practice and policy communities. The goal of the research was to understand the victims' perspectives; to identify the factors (individual, family, peer, school, and community contexts) associated with the commencement of CSEC; to identify factors that surround its maintenance and escalation; and to identify factors that impede or empower exiting from or overcoming exploitative situations. Our research included primarily qualitative methods with a focus on integrating researchers and grassroots organizers into the design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination. In the Boston metropolitan area and in Washington, DC, we interviewed 61 adolescents (aged 14-19) who experienced sexual violence via teen prostitution or who were runaways at risk for such commercial sexual exploitation. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a crime that has only recently received significant attention in the United States and around the globe. While the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that the number of children (those under the age of 18) currently involved in prostitution, child pornography, and trafficking may be anywhere between 100,000 and three million (Friedman, 2005) we find that knowledge of CSEC and our public response to the problem is still evolving. Federal legislation (Trafficking Victims Protection Act - TVPA 2000 and revised in 2008), funding and task force activity continues to bring the domestic sex trafficking of children into focus in the U.S. This includes attention to traffickers who coerce children and youth to enter the commercial sex "industry" through the use of a variety of recruitment and control mechanisms and who engage the children in exploitation in strip clubs, street-based prostitution, escort services, and brothels. There is evidence from the field that domestic sex traffickers target vulnerable youth, such as runaway and homeless youth, and it is often reported that the average age of entry into prostitution in the U.S. is as a 12- to 13-year-old victim of commercial sexual exploitation. A variety of state laws address these crimes under statutes that often are located in several different sections of the criminal code or in statutes directed at juveniles or families. Statutes may criminalize the behavior of those who procure children for sex acts (commonly referred to as "pimps"), those "customers" who engage in or solicit sex acts with a minor (some of these individuals are referred to as "johns"), those who are involved in the production or the possession of pornography with a minor, and those who benefit from such commerce. But state laws also focus on the behavior of the children and their families and may lead to juveniles being prosecuted for prostitution related offenses, adjudication as delinquent or a determination that they are a person/ child in need of supervision. Details: Lowell, MA: University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2009. 73p. Source: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/Williams%20Pathways%20Final%20Report%202006-MU-FX-0060%2010-31-09L.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/Williams%20Pathways%20Final%20Report%202006-MU-FX-0060%2010-31-09L.pdf Shelf Number: 117143 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingSex OffensesVictimization |
Author: Hecht, Mark E. Title: Private Sector Accountability in Combating the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: A report discussing the role of the private sector in addressing the Commerical Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2008 Source: A contribution to the World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, November 2008 Year: 2008 Country: Thailand URL: Shelf Number: 117291 Keywords: JuvenilesSex OffensesVictimization |
Author: Eden, Isabel Title: Rape Convictions in London Summary: This report examines the frequency and lenght of sexual offences prosecuted in Greater London. The cases cover all sexual offences from April 2003 to March 2004 that resulted in a custodial sentence. Details: London: EAVES Lilith Project, 2005 Source: Year: 2005 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 114861 Keywords: Rape VictimsSex Offenses |
Author: Cook, Paul J. Title: Service Academy 2005 Sexual Harassment and Assault Survey Summary: This report provides results of a servey designed to assess the incidence of sexual assault and harassment and related issues at the U.S.Service Academies. Details: Arlington, VA: Defense Manpower Data Center, Survey & Program Evaluation Division, 2005 Source: SRA International, Inc; Defense Manpower Data Center; DMDC Report: no. 2005-018 Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117610 Keywords: Sex OffensesSexual HarassmentViolence Against Women |
Author: Triggs, Sue Title: Responding to Sexual Violence: Attrition in the New Zealand Criminal Justice System Summary: This study assesses attrition in relation to adult sexual violation cases -- that is, what proportion and type of cases drop out at each stage of the criminal justice process in New Zealand. Survey data indicate that around nine in ten sexual violation offenses are not reported to the police. In addition, some offenses reported as sexual violation may not be recorded as such. Details: Wellington: New Zealand Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2009. 93p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 115794 Keywords: RapeSex Offenses |
Author: French, Brian Title: Experience of Sexual Violence and Abuse: Findings from the 2008/09 Northern Ireland Crime Survey Summary: This bulletin draws on findings from the 2008/09 Northern Ireland Crime Survey, a continuous, representative, personal interview survey of the experiences and perceptions of crime of 3,856 adults living in private households throughout Northern Ireland. The findings present estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence among women and men in Northern Ireland, from childhood to adulthood. It also provides insights into who has been victimized, who the perpetrators were, the context in which the abuse occurred, the impact of the abuse on the lives of those who had been victimized, and the patterns of disclosure of the abuse to others. Details: Belfast: Northern Ireland Office, Statistics and Research Branch, 2009. 36p. Source: Research and Statistical Bulletin 9/2009 Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117668 Keywords: Crime StatisticsSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual ViolenceVictimization Surveys |
Author: Farley, Melissa Title: Men Who Buy Sex: Who They Buy and What They Know Summary: A sample of 103 men in London, England, who used trafficked and non-trafficked women in prostitution were asked about their experiences and awareness of the sex industry. Almost all (96%) bought sex indoors. Many reported that they were aware of pimping, trafficking and other coercive control over those in massage parlor, brothel, and escort prostitution. These men were frequently aware of the vulnerability and risk factors for entry into prostitution including childhood abuse, lack of alternative job choices, coercive control and homelessness. The men listed effective deterrents to buying sex which included time in prison, public exposure and being issued a Anti-Social Behaviour Order. They described their ambivalence about buying sex and their ambivalence about the nature of their relationships with women. Details: London: EAVES; San Francisco: Prostitution Research & Education, 2009. 32p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117575 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex OffensesSex TraffickingSexual Violence |
Author: Harrell, Margaret C. Title: A Compendium of Sexual Assault Research Summary: This volume summarizes recent studies on sexual assault that are deemed useful and relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and other policymakers interested in sexual assault issues. Entries include a brief overview of the prevalence and effects of sexual assault, and of important events and laws pertaining to sexual assault in both the civilian and military sectors. The compendium's annotated bibliography includes summaries of more than 450 studies of sexual assault. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2009. 319p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 14, 2010 at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf Shelf Number: 117555 Keywords: Date RapeRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Zahnd, Elaine Title: Nearly Four Million California Adults Are Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Summary: Nearly 1 in 6 adults in California, about 3.7 million persons, report experiencing physical intimate partner violence (IPV) as adults. Over one million Californians were forced to have sex (5%) by an intimate partner during adulthood. Overall, 17.2% of adults—nearly four million Californians—report being a victim of physical and/or sexual IPV as an adult. These acts of violence are not merely a criminal justice problem, but a public health problem with deep and lingering social, psychological and health-related costs. Beyond the immediate trauma facing adult victims, IPV incidents may have a prolonged impact on the emotional and mental health of the victims, affect their ability to complete school or maintain employment, and result in adverse health behaviors to cope with the trauma, such as engaging in risky alcohol, tobacco or other drug use. Violence that occurs between intimates or family members is especially damaging when it takes place in the presence of children; previous studies have shown that witnessing violence can lead to intergenerational cycles of violence." Details: Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2010. 11p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 16, 2010 at: http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/IPV_PB_031810.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/IPV_PB_031810.pdf Shelf Number: 119614 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceHealth CareIntimate Partner Violence (California )Sex OffensesVictims of Crime |
Author: Paz, Monica G. Title: Bringing the Global to the Local: Using Participatory Research to Address Sesxual Violence with Immigrant Communities in NYC Summary: This study reveals, in their own voices, the experiences New York City immigrant women have with sexual violence and their thoughts on ending this victimization. Many of the women who participated in this pilot study talked about the situations they faced and the barriers they experienced in seeking help for sexual violence. The study examines: 1) the scope and impact of sexual violence against (documented and undocumented) immigrant women; 2) help-seeking behaviors, including knowledge and attitudes about sexual violence services in their New York City communities; and 3) community-specific strategies to end sexual violence. Details: New York: New york City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, 2008. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 19, 2010 at: http://www.svfreenyc.org/media/research/par_1_report08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.svfreenyc.org/media/research/par_1_report08.pdf Shelf Number: 117660 Keywords: ImmigrantsSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual Violence (New York City)Violence Against Women |
Author: Beck, Allen J. Title: Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, 2008-2009 Summary: This report resents data from the National Inmate Survey (NIS), 2008-09, conducted in 167 state and federal prisons, 286 local jails, and 10 special correctional facilities (operated by U.S. Armed Forces, Indian tribes, or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)) between October 2008 and December 2009, with a sample of 81,566 inmates ages 18 or older. The report provides a listing of facilities ranked according to the prevalence of sexual victimization, as required under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-79). The prevalence of victimization as reported by inmates during a personal interview is based on sexual activity in the 12 months prior to the interview or since admission to the facility, if less than 12 months. Included are estimates of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, inmate-on-inmate and staff sexual misconduct, and level of coercion. The report also presents findings on reported sexual victimization by selected characteristics of inmates, including demographic characteristics, sexual history and orientation, and criminal justice status. It includes details on victims’ experiences and the circumstances surrounding incidents of sexual victimization. Highlights include the following: 1) An estimated 4.4% of prison inmates and 3.1% of jail inmates reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by another inmate or facility staff in the past 12 months or since admission to the facility, if less than 12 months; 2) Female inmates in prison (4.7%) or jail (3.1%) were more than twice as likely as male inmates in prison (1.9%) or jail (1.3%) to report experiencing inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization; and 3) Among inmates who reported inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization, 13% of male prison inmates and 19% of male jail inmates said they were victimized within the first 24 hours after admission, compared to 4% of female inmates in prison and jail. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2010. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 24, 2010 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svpjri0809.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svpjri0809.pdf Shelf Number: 119678 Keywords: InmatesJailsPrison RapePrisonsSex OffensesSexual AssaultsSexual Victimization |
Author: World Health Organization Title: Preventing Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Against Women: Taking action and Generating Evidence Summary: Intimate partner and sexual violence affect a large proportion of the population – with the majority of those directly experiencing such violence being women and the majority perpetrating it being men. The harm they cause can last a lifetime and span generations, with serious adverse affects on health, education and employment. The primary prevention of these types of violence will therefore save lives and money – investments made now to stop intimate partner and sexual violence before they occur will protect the physical, mental and economic well-being and development of individuals, families, communities and whole societies. This document aims to provide sufficient information for policy-makers and planners to develop data-driven and evidence-based programmes for preventing intimate partner and sexual violence against women and is divided into the following chapters: Chapter 1 outlines the nature, magnitude and consequences of intimate partner and sexual violence within the broader typology of violence. Chapter 2 identifies the risk and protective factors for such violence and the importance of addressing both risk and protective factors in prevention efforts. Chapter 3 summarizes the scientific evidence base for primary prevention strategies, and describes programmes of known effectiveness, those supported by emerging evidence and those that could potentially be effective but have yet to be sufficiently evaluated for their impact. Chapter 4 presents a six-step framework for taking action, generating evidence and sharing results. In the closing section, several future research priorities are outlined and a number of key conclusions drawn. Details: Geneva: World Health Organization, 2010. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2010 at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241564007_eng.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241564007_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 119737 Keywords: Battered WomenDomestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRisk AssessmentSex OffensesSpouse AbuseViolence Against Women |
Author: Arieff, Alexis Title: Sexual Violence in African Conflicts Summary: Civilians in Africa’s conflict zones — particularly women and children, but also men — are often vulnerable to sexual violence, including rape, mutilation, and sexual slavery, carried out by government security forces and non-state actors, including, rebel groups, militias, and criminal organizations. Some abuses appear to be opportunistic, or the product of a larger breakdown in the rule of law and social order that may occur amid conflict. However, sexual violence has also been employed by combatant groups as a tool of war, seemingly designed to wreak damage on entire communities. While such abuses are by no means limited to Africa, weak justice systems in many African states can mean that victims have little legal redress; survivors are also often shunned by their families and communities. Sexual atrocities have been reported in many African conflicts over the past two decades, including in Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. The issue has been particularly salient in eastern DRC, where security forces, rebel organizations, militias, and other armed groups have inflicted sexual violence upon the civilian population on a massive scale. This report provides a detailed case study of DRC and an index of active U.S. programs there. Multiple U.S. government agencies and implementing partners contribute to efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence in African conflicts. Agencies and departments include the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Justice, and the Department of Defense, among others. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has taken the lead on the Obama Administration’s initiative to address the issue, through speeches, official travel, public remarks, writings, and actions at the United Nations. In August 2009, Clinton traveled to Goma, in eastern DRC, where she pledged $17 million to support U.S. government efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence in that country. The pledge includes $10 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) for “programs and activities to assist victims of gender-based violence” in DRC provided by the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-32). The 111th Congress has repeatedly expressed interest in the issue of sexual violence in African conflicts and support for programs to address it through legislation, hearings, and other congressional actions. Potential issues for Congress include the authorization and appropriation of targeted assistance programs; oversight of Administration and multilateral policies; and oversight of coordination between U.S. government agencies and international donors. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2009. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: CRS Report to Congress, R40956: Accessed October 13, 2010 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40956.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Africa URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40956.pdf Shelf Number: 119929 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual SlaverySexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Finkelhor, David Title: Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors Summary: This bulletin presents population-based epidemiological information about the characteristics of juvenile offenders who commit sex offenses against minors. The authors analyze data from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System to describe the characteristics of the juvenile sex offender population who have come to the attention of law enforcement. Key findings include: •Juveniles account for more than one-third (36 percent) of those known to police to have committed sex offenses against minors. •Juveniles who commit sex offenses against other children are more likely than adult sex offenders to offend in groups, at schools, and to have more male and younger victims. Findings may support the development of research-based interventions and policies to reduce sexual assault and child molestation as perpetrated by juvenile offenders. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2009. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Juvenile Justice Bulletin, December 2009: Accessed October 29, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227763.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227763.pdf Shelf Number: 120130 Keywords: Juvenile OffendersJuvenile Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Combating Child Pornography: Steps Are Needed to Ensure That Tips to Law Enforcement Are Useful and Forensic Examinations Are Cost Effective Summary: The Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that online child pornography crime has increased. DOJ funds the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which maintains the CyberTipline to receive child pornography tips. The Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology To Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children Act of 2008 (the Act) contains provisions to facilitate these investigations and create a national strategy to prevent, among other things, child pornography. The Act directed GAO to report on actions to minimize duplication and enhance federal expenditures to address this crime. This report examines (1) the extent to which NCMEC determines the usefulness of tips; (2) mechanisms to help law enforcement coordination (i.e., deconfliction); and (3) the extent to which agencies are addressing factors that federal law enforcement reports may inhibit investigations. GAO analyzed the Act and spoke to law enforcement officials who investigate these crimes, selected to reflect geographic range, among other things. Although these interviews cannot be generalized, they provided insight into investigations. NCMEC takes steps to obtain feedback from law enforcement on the usefulness of CyberTipline reports; however, it does not systematically collect information on how useful individual reports are for initiating and advancing investigations or about information gaps that limit reports' usefulness. For instance, NCMEC solicits feedback via e-mail or in person quarterly from federal law enforcement liaisons at NCMEC about the overall usefulness of CyberTipline reports. However, according to many law enforcement officials GAO contacted, information in a CyberTipline report may not contain an image of apparent child pornography or may contain old data. NCMEC officials said that they are interested in obtaining additional feedback to enhance the usefulness of its reports and could explore additional methods to gather such information, such as creating a systematic process for obtaining feedback from federal law enforcement. Enhancing its processes for collecting feedback on the usefulness of CyberTipline reports could help NCMEC ensure that reports are as useful as possible to law enforcement. Existing deconfliction mechanisms generally prevent pursuit of the same suspects but are fragmented; DOJ is in the early stages of developing a system to address this fragmentation. Many law enforcement officials GAO contacted reported using various nonautomated (e.g., task forces) and automated (e.g., investigative systems) mechanisms to avoid duplication of effort in investigations. But these officials reported that there is not a single automated system that provides comprehensive case information and deconfliction, which can contribute to difficulties coordinating investigations. As mandated in the Act, DOJ is developing a national system to, among other things, provide law enforcement with a single deconfliction tool. Specifically, DOJ is conducting a needs assessment--which it plans to complete in 12 to 24 months--to use as a basis for system development. However, because DOJ is waiting on the results of the needs assessment to begin system development, it may be several years before the system is operational. Backlogs in the forensic analysis of digital evidence can delay or hinder online child pornography investigations; assessing the costs and benefits of taking extra steps to ensure the integrity of forensic analysis could help determine if there are efficiencies that could reduce backlogs. Forensic analysis of digital evidence consists of the review of information from digital media, such as hard drives, and can prove online child pornography crime. Several factors may contribute to backlogs in forensic analysis, including the steps federal law enforcement agencies believe enhance the integrity of analysis, such as making exact copies of digital evidence to discourage tampering. The FBI takes additional steps it believes enhance integrity, such as separating the forensic examination from the investigation. However, some federal officials and prosecutors GAO spoke with differed on the need for such steps. According to DOJ, the national strategy's working group is in a good position to address backlog issues and having this group assess the costs and benefits of steps taken to ensure the integrity of forensic analysis could help it determine potential efficiencies that could reduce backlogs. GAO recommends that NCMEC enhance its processes to collect feedback to improve tips and that DOJ assess the costs and benefits of steps agencies take to ensure the integrity of forensic analysis. NCMEC and DOJ generally concurred with our recommendations and discussed actions to address them. Details: Washington, DC: U.S.Government Accountability Office, 2011. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-11-334: Accessed April 2, 2011 at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11334.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11334.pdf Shelf Number: 121221 Keywords: Child AbuseChild PornographyChild ProtectionComputer CrimesCriminal InvestigationsCybercrimesInternetSex Offenses |
Author: Roth, Francoise Title: Using Quantitative Data to Assess Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Colombia: Challenges and Opportunities Summary: Via Resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008) and 1889 (2009), the United Nations Security Council has strongly promoted the collection of data about wartime sexual violence and other issues related to gender equality in situations of armed conflict. The resolutions do not fully appreciate the size of the task laid out. Sexual violence, in wartime or in peacetime, is among the most notoriously difficult forms of violence to measure. A data mandate that does not point the way toward data quality leaves policy-makers in the dark as they seek to prevent or mitigate sexual violence, to punish perpetrators, or to make reparations to victims. Worse, poor-quality data on sexual violence may give a false impression of specificity and reliability, leading to incorrect policy assessments, misallocation of resources, and other outcomes that are assuredly not in line with the United Nations’ goals on this issue. This report addresses the challenges of sexual violence measurement in a specific context: Colombia’s ongoing internal armed conflict. After discussing in depth the difficulties faced by researchers attempting to measure sexual violence around the world, the report addresses several Colombian data collection efforts more specifically. Both governmental and non-governmental data sources are considered; more importantly, the authors outline several key cultural and political issues affecting sexual violence data collection in Colombia. In particular, the research team found, sexual violence reporting procedures in Colombia are fragmented and incomplete. Sexual violence is frequently viewed as a domestic violence or criminal justice issue; it is seldom considered as a phenomenon in its own right, or as an outcome associated with armed conflict. Details: Colombia: Corporación Punto de Vista; Palo Alto, CA: Benetech Technology Serving Humanity, 2011. 103p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2011 at: http://www.hrdag.org/resources/publications/SV%20report%20april%2026,%202011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Colombia URL: http://www.hrdag.org/resources/publications/SV%20report%20april%2026,%202011.pdf Shelf Number: 121657 Keywords: Armed ConflictRapeSex OffensesSexual Violence (Colombia) |
Author: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Title: Out of Mind, Out of Sight: Breaking Down the Barriers to Understanding Child Sexual Exploitation Summary: CEOP has carried out a rapid assessment of ‘localised grooming’ in the UK. This is a form of sexual exploitation, previously referred to as ‘on street grooming’ in the media, where children have been groomed and sexually exploited by an offender, having initially met in a location outside their home, usually in a public place (such as a park, cinema, on the street or at a friend’s house). Offenders often act in concert, establishing a relationship with a child or children before sexually exploiting them. Some victims of ‘street grooming’ may believe that the offender is in fact an older ‘boyfriend’, introducing peers to the offender group who may also be sexually exploited. Abuse may occur at a number of locations within a local area and on several occasions. ‘Localised grooming’ has been subject to considerable media attention following a number of prosecutions of adult males for the grooming and sexually exploitation of children and young people in various towns and cities in the UK. Several NGOs have reported that large numbers of victims of this type of child sexual exploitation have accessed their services across the UK. However, there have been comparatively few prosecutions, and there is a general lack of knowledge of grooming and sexual exploitation in the UK and the threats posed to children and young people. In order to inform responses to ‘localised grooming’, a rapid assessment of the intelligence and information held by police forces, local authorities, LSCBs, NGOs and local service providers, on this particular form of sexual exploitation, has been undertaken. Information gathered during this assessment demonstrates the difficulty of measuring the scale of the issue, provides an opportunity to highlight good practice in a number of areas of the UK and the gaps which remain, and enables the recommendation of a number of measures for improving the UK’s response to child sexual exploitation. This thematic assessment was undertaken with four principle objectives: 1. Assess the size and scale of ‘localised grooming’ in proportion to the overall known picture of sexual exploitation of children under the age of 18 in the UK 2. Establish any patterns of offending profile or victim experience 3. Assess the effectiveness of processes which might help identify such offending or potential victims 4. Recommend action to be taken to reduce the risk in future, including any urgent action that becomes apparent It was aimed to determine the known extent of child sexual exploitation, based on intelligence and information held by relevant agencies, and to determine the proportion of cases which fit the profile of ‘localised grooming’. This assessment therefore represents an audit of the current knowledge of the scale of child sexual exploitation among those police forces, LSCBs, children’s services and service providers who responded to the request for information. Details: London: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, 2011. 122p. (Full Report) Source: Internet Resource: CEOP Thematic Assessment: Accessed July 1, 2011 at: http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf Shelf Number: 121943 Keywords: Child AbuseChild ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Sex Offenses |
Author: Farrell, Brenda S. Title: Military Justice: Oversight and Better Collaboration Needed for Sexual Assault Investigations and Adjudications Summary: The crime of sexual assault has serious consequences for both the aggrieved and the accused. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of impartially administering justice in order to promote accountability and confidence that such allegations are taken seriously. GAO was asked to address the extent to which (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) conducts oversight of the military services' investigative organizations and (2) the services provide resources for investigations and adjudications of alleged sexual assault incidents. GAO also identified an issue relating to the military's criminal code during this review. GAO analyzed relevant DOD and service policies and procedures; reviewed applicable laws, including provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and interviewed senior DOD and service officials, including a total of 48 judge advocates and DOD civilian lawyers, at the headquarters level and at five selected military installations. Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) developed a policy on sexual assault prevention and response. In June 2006, OSD published DOD Instruction 6495.02, which specifies that the DOD Inspector General's Office shall develop policy and oversee sexual assault investigations and related training for the DOD criminal investigative organizations. However, the Inspector General's Office has not performed these responsibilities, primarily because it believes it has other, higher priorities. For example, GAO found no evidence of Inspector General oversight at the service level for any of the 2,594 sexual assault investigations that DOD reported the services completed in fiscal year 2010. Without a policy and plan for conducting oversight, the Inspector General's Office will remain limited in its ability to help ensure consistency and accountability, and that training is being conducted in the most effective manner. Consistent with the Secretary of Defense's priorities for sexual assault prevention and response, each service provides various resources to support investigations and adjudications of alleged sexual assault incidents. Specifically, each service has provided personnel who advise and assist on investigations and adjudications of sexual assault incidents. Each service's investigative and legal organizations also received funding, above their operating budgets, for efforts to enhance investigations and adjudications of sexual assault. For example, in fiscal year 2009, Army investigators received $4.4 million to redesign training on sexual assault investigations. However, the services' investigative and legal organizations are not fully capitalizing on opportunities to leverage each other's expertise and limited resources. For example, the Secretary of Defense, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process, recommended that the services' investigative organizations co-locate to achieve operational synergies. However, the services currently have no plan for using opportunities such as the co-location--a move that has cost over $426 million and reportedly saved about $53 million for infrastructure support from fiscal years 2006 through 2011--to better leverage expertise and limited resources. Judge advocates also collaborate on some initiatives, but do not have a plan for leveraging resources either. Without a plan, the services cannot help ensure that resources are sustained and efficiencies are maximized. GAO met with judge advocates who consistently expressed concerns, similar to those noted in a 2009 Defense Task Force report, that a 2007 amendment to Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice complicates sexual assault prosecutions and may be causing unwarranted acquittals. Specifically, judge advocates stated that there is a lack of clarity with regard to the meaning of certain terms in the amended article, which makes it more difficult to prosecute these cases. Further, recent opinions issued by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces addressed constitutional issues that may arise related to the burden of proof in certain situations. For fiscal year 2012, DOD proposed revisions to Congress intended to remedy some of these issues. GAO is recommending that DOD develop policy and provide oversight for sexual assault investigations and related training, and for the services to develop a plan to better leverage expertise and limited resources. DOD and the Inspector General concurred with the recommendations, although the Inspector General disagreed with the characterization of its performance. GAO believes its findings are accurate, as addressed more fully in the report. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-11-579: Accessed July 2, 2011 at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11579.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11579.pdf Shelf Number: 121961 Keywords: Military Justice (U.S.)Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault |
Author: Great Britain. Home Office Title: Reforming the Notification Requirements of Registered Sex Offenders (Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003): A Targeted Consultation Summary: This targeted consultation seeks views on four key proposals to reform the notification requirements for registered sex offenders. The aim of the proposals is to ensure that the police are provided with important intelligence, allowing them to manage registered sex offenders more effectively and robustly, and prevent them from exploiting gaps in existing legislation to cause harm both in the UK and overseas. Details: London: Home Office, 2011. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 12, 2011 at:http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/notification-sex-offenders/notif-sex-offenders-consult?view=Binary Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/notification-sex-offenders/notif-sex-offenders-consult?view=Binary Shelf Number: 122033 Keywords: Sex Offender NotificationSex Offenders (U.K.)Sex Offenses |
Author: Great Britain. Home Office Title: Impact Assessment: Increasing the Notification Requirements of Registered Sex Offenders Under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Summary: Under existing legislation (Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) registered sex offenders are required to notify their name, address, date of birth, national insurance number, and travel outside the UK of a period of 3 days or longer to the police annually or whenever their details change. Not having to notify travel outside the UK of less than 3 days has been identified as a loophole. Additionally, the police will be able to more effectively manage registered sex offenders if they are required to notify weekly if registered as having 'no fixed abode', notify if living in a household with a child under the age of 18, notify passport and bank account details, and provide proof of identification at each notification. Government intervention is necessary to prevent offenders from exploiting gaps in the system and provide the police with the information they need to manage registered sex offenders more robustly. Public safety will always be a top priority for the Government. Where we can take further action to protect the public we will. The preferred policy option outlined within this Impact Assessment and the consultation paper: Reforming the Notification Requirements of Registered Sex Offenders (Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003): A Targeted Consultation, will strengthen the notification requirements regime. It will provide the police with important intelligence, allowing them to manage registered sex offenders more effectively and robustly, and prevent them from exploiting gaps in existing legislation to cause harm both in the UK and overseas. Details: London: Home Office, 2011. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 12, 2011 at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/notification-sex-offenders/notif-sex-offenders-ia?view=Binary Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/notification-sex-offenders/notif-sex-offenders-ia?view=Binary Shelf Number: 122034 Keywords: Sex Offender RegistrationSex Offenders (U.K.)Sex Offenses |
Author: Lanning, Kenneth V. Title: Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis For Professionals Investigating the Sexual Exploitation of Children. 5th ed. Summary: The sexual victimization of children involves varied and diverse dynamics. It can range from one-on-one intrafamilial abuse to multioffender/multivictim extrafamilial sex rings and from nonfamily abduction of toddlers to prostitution of teenagers. Sexual victimization of children can run the gamut of “normal” sexual acts from fondling to intercourse. The victimization can also include deviant sexual behavior involving more unusual conduct (e.g., urination, defecation, playing dead) that often goes unrecognized, including by statutes, as possibly being sexual in nature. There are, therefore, no step-by-step, rigid investigative standards that are applicable to every case or circumstance. Investigative approaches and procedures have to be adjusted based on the dynamics of the case. Larger law-enforcement agencies tend to have more specialized investigative units that investigate the different types of cases. One unit might investigate intrafamilial, child-abuse cases; another might investigate missing-, abducted-, or murdered-children cases; and another might investigate extrafamilial, sexual-exploitation cases. Offenders, however, sometimes cross these investigative categories. For example a father might produce and distribute child pornography images of his own child or might molest other children in addition to his own. Investigators have to be trained and prepared to address these diverse realities. This discussion will focus primarily on the behavioral aspects of the sexual exploitation of children perpetrated by adult offenders who have an acquaintance relationship (i.e., not strangers or family members) with their child victims. Some of the information, however, could have application to acquaintance juvenile offenders and other types of child-molestation cases. Although some legal and technical aspects involved in these cases will be discussed, those are not my areas of expertise. The law and emerging technology can change rapidly and significantly in a short time. Experts in those areas should be consulted before applying this information, but underlying human behavior tends to remain the same. The concept of the acquaintance molester and other related terms will be defined and insight will be provided into the behavioral patterns of offenders and victims in such cases. For purposes of this publication, investigation is defined as any objective, fact-finding process. This certainly includes the work of law enforcement and prosecutors, but may also sometimes include the work of other professionals such as social workers, forensic mental-health or medical personnel, and youth-serving organizations. One major goal of this publication is to increase objectivity and professionalism in these investigations. This is the fifth edition of this publication. Details: Alexandria, VA: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2010. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed July 28, 2011 at: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC70.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC70.pdf Shelf Number: 122223 Keywords: Child MolestationChild PornographyChild Sexual AbuseCriminal InvestigationMissing ChildrenMissing Persons (U.S.)Sex OffendersSex Offenses |
Author: Coy, Maddy Title: Boys Think Girls Are Toys?: An Evaluation of the NIA Project Prevention Programme on Sexual Exploitation. Final Report Summary: This report presents an evaluation of a prevention programme focussing on sexual exploitation for both young people and professionals. The programme was delivered across London by the nia project, in partnership with the Children's Society from September 2007 to December 2010, with three broad aims: - To increase the number of young people at risk of being abused through sexual exploitation accessing appropriate support; - To increase the number of professionals that are able to identify young people at risk of sexual exploitation and take appropriate action; - To increase the number of agencies aware of the issue and able to address it. Recommendations from the evaluation include: the integration of sexual exploitation prevention work in schools/youth settings, and training for a range of professionals, commissioned by Local Safeguarding Children Boards and delivered by specialised organisations. Details: London: Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University, 2011. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2011 at: http://www.cwasu.org/ Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cwasu.org/ Shelf Number: 122791 Keywords: Date RapeSex OffensesSexual Exploitation (U.K.)Violence Against Women |
Author: Daly, Kathleen Title: Conventional and Innovative Justice Responses to Sexual Violence Summary: Despite 30 years of significant change to the way the criminal justice system responds to sexual violence, conviction rates have gone down in Australia, Canada, and England and Wales. Victim/survivors continue to express dissatisfaction with how the police and courts handle their cases and with their experience of the trial process. Many commentators and researchers recognise that the crux of the problem is cultural beliefs about gender and sexuality, which dilute and undermine the intentions of rape law reform. These beliefs affect victims adversely, but at the same time, increased criminalisation and penalisation of offenders is not likely to yield constructive outcomes. This paper reflects on the limits of legal reform in improving outcomes for victim/survivors. Given the extent of reform to procedural, substantive, and evidentiary aspects of sexual assault legal cases, we may have exhausted its potential to change the response to sexual assault. We may need to consider innovative justice responses, which may be part of the legal system or lie beyond it. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2011. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues No. 12: Accessed September 29, 2011 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i12/i12.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i12/i12.pdf Shelf Number: 122955 Keywords: Sex OffensesSexual Assaults (Australia)Sexual ViolenceVictims of Sexual Assault |
Author: Thwaites, Greg Title: An Assessment of the Potential Savings from Barnardo’s Interventions for Young People Who Have Been Sexually Exploited Summary: This report presents the findings from research undertaken by Pro Bono Economics on behalf of Barnardo’s into the potential savings from Barnardo’s interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited. The research sought to determine the effectiveness of Barnardo’s interventions in reducing the risk of sexual exploitation and associated risk factors, and estimated the fiscal rate of return of such interventions – that is, the saving to the taxpayer for every pound spent by Barnardo’s on the intervention. Statistical methods were employed to measure the effect of Barnardo’s interventions on the severity of sexual exploitation and its associated risk factors. The cost of sexual exploitation was estimated for varying degrees of severity using a range of secondary sources. These estimates were then combined to calculate the gross financial benefit of the intervention, and compared to the cost of the intervention to give an overall fiscal rate of return. Two models are presented – one which assumes that the level of risk remains unchanged in the absence of the intervention, and one which provides an estimate of how the level of risk changes in the absence of an intervention. Both highlight that the benefits to the taxpayer of Barnardo's interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited substantially outweigh the costs, with a potential saving of either £6 or £12 for every £1 spent depending on the assumptions made, in addition to a substantial (non-costed) reduction in the risk of sexual exploitation. Details: London: Pro Bono Economics; Barnardo's, 2011. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2011 at: http://www.probonoeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/Barnados-report-final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.probonoeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/Barnados-report-final.pdf Shelf Number: 123057 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseOrganized CrimeSex OffensesSexual Exploitation, Children (U.K.) |
Author: Lovett, Jo Title: Rape in the 21st Century: Old Behaviours, New Contexts and Emerging Patterns Summary: Home Office statistics show a continuing decline in the conviction rate for rape over the last three decades, which reached a low of 5.27 per cent in 2003. Building on an existing data set, this project seeks to explore how far the construction of ‘real rape’ – committed by strangers, occurring in outdoor locations and involving weapons and injury – operates as a template from which all other types of reported cases are judged. This stereotype serves to disguise the social realities of rape – that perpetrators are invariably known and that it takes place in the complexity of daily life and everyday routines. Drawing on a dataset of 3,500 cases and linked qualitative data, the project will involve developing analytical frames to assess the extent to which decision-making by complainants, police, prosecutors and judges at all stages of the process can be predicted through the elements of real rape, and whether the concept needs adapting for the 21st century. The findings will add to our understanding of the attrition process and the justice gap. Details: Swindon, UK: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), 2007. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2011 at: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-1679/read Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-1679/read Shelf Number: 123145 Keywords: Rape (U.K.)Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Violence |
Author: Great Britain. Home Office Title: Providing Anonymity to Those Accused of Rape: An Assessment of Evidence Summary: This report brings together findings from previous reviews and primary research studies as well as Home Office and Ministry of Justice statistics to present a summary of evidence relevant to the issue of whether or not to provide anonymity to those accused of rape. A number of areas have been examined to determine whether the likely impact of anonymity can be identified. These include: the legal position on anonymity; reporting and investigation of rape; false allegations; convictions and offending histories, and media coverage of criminal cases. Overall, the report found insufficient reliable empirical findings on which to base an informed decision on the issue of whether or not to provide anonymity to those accused of rape. Details: London: Home Office, 2010. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Research Series 20/10: Accessed April 3, 2012 at: http://www.engender.org.uk/UserFiles/File/VAW/Rape%20anonimity%20report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.engender.org.uk/UserFiles/File/VAW/Rape%20anonimity%20report.pdf Shelf Number: 124803 Keywords: False AllegationsRape (U.S.)Sex OffendersSex Offenses |
Author: Meng, Grace Title: Cultivating Fear: The Vulnerability of Immigrant Farmworkers in the US to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Summary: Producing food consumed throughout the country, hundreds of thousands of immigrant women and girls in the United States today work in fields, packing houses, and other agricultural workplaces where they face a real and significant risk of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Cultivating Fear, based on interviews with over 50 farmworkers and 110 advocates, agricultural industry representatives, and government officials, documents cases of rape, stalking, unwanted touching, exhibitionism, and verbal harassment, perpetrated by supervisors, co-workers, employers, and others in positions of power. Although farmworkers are protected in theory from workplace sexual violence and harassment under US civil and criminal law, farmworker women and girls face systemic barriers—as farmworkers and often as unauthorized immigrants—to reporting abuses and helping bring perpetrators to justice. Human Rights Watch calls on employers to take responsibility for the safety of their workers and on local police to ensure unauthorized immigrant victims are able to report crimes without fear of deportation. Most critically, Human Rights Watch calls on the US government to reform immigration and labor law and policy, at the federal and state levels, to ensure that the workers whose labor sustains US agriculture are able to fully assert their rights to protection from workplace sexual violence and harassment. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2012. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 18, 2012 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0512ForUpload_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0512ForUpload_1.pdf Shelf Number: 125258 Keywords: Immigrants (U.S.)RapeSex OffensesSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Nainar, Vahida Title: Litigation Strategies for Sexual Violence in Africa Summary: This paper is a manual that examines the different legal options available to a victim/survivor of sexual violence or a rights group on her behalf. Although these legal options serve the overall goal of justice, they have different requirements of documentation, need different levels of victim participation and focus on a specific aspect of the remedy. The Manual aims to provide an overview of the legal options available to women to pursue justice for sexual violence and discusses the legal strategies that influence the choice of any given option. The overview of the legal options at the domestic level are provided by laying out laws and systems typical of the three broad types of legal systems in Africa – the common law system, the civil law system and Islamic law. For options at regional and international levels, the Manual lays out the basics of various regional and international human rights mechanisms and the instruments applying international humanitarian and criminal law. From a discussion of the practical possibilities or impediments at the domestic level; the decisions of the regional and international human rights mechanisms; and the judgments of the regional and international courts and tribunals emerge strategies that women and victims of sexual violence may employ in their pursuit of justice, with varying degree of potential success. Details: London: The Redress Trust, 2012. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2012 at: http://www.uianet.org/sites/default/files/VAWManual27Aug2012_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.uianet.org/sites/default/files/VAWManual27Aug2012_1.pdf Shelf Number: 126446 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual Violence (Africa) |
Author: Independent Police Complaints Commission Title: The Abuse of Police Powers to Perpetrate Sexual Violence Summary: The legal powers given to members of the police service, such as arrest and detention, provide status and influence as well as allowing coercive actions. The public expects police officers and staff to protect them; that is their role. Allegations that they have failed to protect, or indeed have abused, someone who is in a vulnerable position are therefore particularly serious. There are many ways in which such abuse might occur. This report, and the work that has informed it, was prompted by recognition of the fact that a number of cases involving sexual exploitation by police officers and staff who have abused the powers given to them are investigated every year. There was a need to examine how they might be prevented in future. One such recent case resulted in PC Stephen Mitchell of Northumbria police being convicted of five sexual offences and six counts of misconduct in public office. He received two life sentences. While this case was unusual in its seriousness it was by no means an isolated one. No one would wish to believe that this behaviour exists, in a service which seeks to help and protect, or where it is found can be attributed to no more than ‘one bad apple’. We do not know precisely how many people have been victims of police officers or staff abusing their powers; we are only aware of the individuals who have had the confidence to come forward. There is no evidence to suggest it is commonplace. However, the police service does have a responsibility to recognise it as a distinct area of corruption, and take steps to reduce its occurrence, identify as soon as possible if it occurs, and effectively deal with such cases. This report has been produced to raise the profile of cases involving the abuse of powers by police officers and staff to perpetrate sexual abuse or violence. Supported by a number of case study examples, the report includes a checklist of questions for the police service about the prevention, prediction, and investigation of this conduct. Details: London: Independent Police Complaints Commission, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2012 at: http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/reports/2012/201209AbPPtPSV.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/reports/2012/201209AbPPtPSV.pdf Shelf Number: 126672 Keywords: Police Misconduct (U.K.)Sex OffensesSexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: Nicholls, Carol McNaughton Title: Attitudes to Sentencing Sexual Offences Summary: This report outlines findings of research conducted by Natcen Social Research on victim/survivor1 and public attitudes to sentencing sexual offences. This research was conducted on behalf of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, to inform their current review of guidelines on sentencing sexual offences, and in accordance with their statutory duties to “produce analysis and research on sentencing”, “promote a clear, fair and consistent approach to sentencing”, and “work to improve public confidence in sentencing.”2 An evidence review was completed as phase one of the research, and suggested that there was a need for up-to-date and methodologically robust research on public and victim/survivor views and sexual offences sentencing. The review identified that new research was needed to explore a range of offences and that not only concentrated on offences such as rape. Qualitative research was the favoured methodology as it allowed research participants the opportunity to provide explanations for the reasons given for suggested sentences, discuss their level of awareness of sentencing, and in the case of research with victim/survivors, enabled interviews to be conducted that were responsive and tailored to personal experience. There are, however, limits to the scope of any research project and this study is no exception – the focus here was on exploring public and victim/survivors’ attitudes and experiences of the sentencing of different sexual offences, and there was not scope to explore a range of additional issues, such as views on the existing sentencing guidelines for sexual offences or the effectiveness of different sanctions. Aims and objectives In this context the aims and objectives of the research were to: map awareness of the various sanctions for sexual offences that are available; understand what are considered to be appropriate sanctions and sentences for a range of sexual offences, the reasons for this and the relative gravity of sexual offences against each other and in comparison to other offences; identify the range of aggravating and mitigating factors that influenced the nature of participants’ responses to the appropriate type and length of sentence, including which factors are more or less important when considering the sentence; and discuss the purpose of sentencing sexual offences. And in addition, with victim/survivors of sexual offences and their family: describe the experiences of people affected by sexual offences and the seriousness and harm of the offence; and where relevant, understand their experience of the sentencing process and the personal impact of the sentence. Details: London: Sentencing Council, 2012. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Sentencing Council Research Series 01/12: Accessed November 2, 2012 at: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Attitudes_to_Sentencing_Sexual_Offences_(web).pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Attitudes_to_Sentencing_Sexual_Offences_(web).pdf Shelf Number: 126817 Keywords: Public AttitudesPublic OpinionPunishmentSentencingSex Offenders (U.K.)Sex Offenses |
Author: South Carolina. Department of Public Safety. Office of Justice Programs Title: Sexual Violence in Private Residences: Whose, How and Why? Summary: Data from the South Carolina Incident Based Reporting System (SCIBRS) provided the initial basis of this report. SCIBRS data starts with the statewide uniform incident report. Whenever a criminal act is reported to law enforcement, the responding officer fills out an incident report. That report contains detailed information about the incident, the victim and the offender as well as any associated arrests. This information is then entered into SCIBRS, which is maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Among the SCIBRS information collected and maintained by SLED is a primary location code identifying the type of premise at which the offense occurred. SCIBRS has twenty-seven location codes which identify the specific type of location at which a criminal incident has been reported. The location codes most frequently associated with sexual violence offenses were those which identified private residences such as houses, apartments, condominiums and other privately owned residences. From 2005 to 2009, 73% of South Carolina’s sexual violence victimizations were reported in private residences (SCDPS, 2010). While that information is important in its own right and tells us a lot about the nature of sexual violence, unfortunately, it is quite limited in that it does not provide questions to some follow up questions that naturally arise in response to this finding. For example, did these acts of sexual violence occur in the victims’ homes, the offenders’ homes or in some other private residence? If the violence occurred in a residence other than the victim’s home, how and why did the victim come to be in that place? If the violence occurred in the victim’s home, how did the offender come to be there? Aside from information that might be contained in the narrative portion of the incident report, which is not forwarded to SLED, answers to these questions were not available from SCIBRS. The purpose of this project was to address these questions and hopefully provide a better understanding of where sexual violence in private residences occurred and how the victims and offenders involved in sexual violence came to be at those places. Details: Blythewood, SC: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, 2012. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2012 at: www.scdps.gov/ojp/stats/reports.html Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 127200 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual Violence (South Carolina, U.S.) |
Author: Tarczon, Cindy Title: The Nature and Extent of Sexual Assault and Abuse in Australia Summary: This ACSSA Resource Sheet summarises the available statistical information about the nature and extent of sexual assault and abuse in Australia. It draws on Australian data sources, and provides information on the prevalence of sexual violence as well as characteristics of victimisation and perpetration. Because sexual assault and abuse are significantly under-reported in these data sets, this Resource Sheet describes the limitations associated with these collections. It also describes how we can use data that examine sexual victimisation in high-risk populations. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2012. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Resource Sheet: Accessed January 23, 2013 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/sheets/rs5/rs5.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/sheets/rs5/rs5.pdf Shelf Number: 127365 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual Assault (Australia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Gray, David Title: 'Giving Victims a Voice' A joint MPS and NSPCC report into allegations of sexual abuse made against Jimmy Savile under Operation Yewtree Summary: The report, 'Giving Victims a Voice', details the work of Operation Yewtree based on the accounts of the hundreds of victims who have come forward since Jimmy Savile was exposed as a sex offender in October 2012. Police and the NSPCC have concluded that Savile was a prolific, predatory sex offender and the scale of his abuse is believed to be unprecedented in the UK. It is believed Savile was able, through his celebrity status, to 'hide in plain sight' while abusing children and adults over six decades. Details: London: NSPCC and Metropolitan Police, 2013. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 24, 2013 at: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/our-news/child-protection-news/13-01-11-yewtree-report/yewtree-report-pdf_wdf93652.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/our-news/child-protection-news/13-01-11-yewtree-report/yewtree-report-pdf_wdf93652.pdf Shelf Number: 127389 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse U.K.)Sex OffendersSex Offenses |
Author: Darehshori, Sara Title: Capitol Offense: Police Mishandling of Sexual Assault Cases in the District of Columbia Summary: Sexual assault is the most underreported serious crime in the United States. Victims fear authorities will not believe them and that reporting will only cause them more pain. This fear may be well-grounded. Police are often skeptical of victims and sometimes respond to reports of assaults in ways that are re-traumatizing. Based on extensive data analysis, documents from four government agencies, and more than 150 interviews, Capitol Offense examines the handling of sexual assault cases by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of the District of Columbia. The report provides strong evidence that between 2008 and September 2011 the MPD mishandled many complaints of sexual assault in D.C. In several cases, victims who reported sexual assaults to the police never had their case documented, or saw it languish when officers apparently determined without effective investigation that their claims were not credible. Human Rights Watch also documented inappropriate and harmful treatment of victims by MPD, such as questioning victims’ credibility; actively discouraging victims from reporting or providing forensic evidence; or asking victim-blaming questions. Not documenting or investigating reports of sexual assault denies justice to the victims, is a public safety issue, and misrepresents to the public the incidence of sexual assault in D.C. Victims who are not treated appropriately are less likely to cooperate with investigations, further reducing chances that perpetrators will be brought to justice. These problems do not appear to stem from official MPD policy, but rather from practices followed within the MPD that, during the period examined, were inconsistent with departmental policy and post-2008 reforms. Since learning of this report’s findings in May 2012, the MPD has adopted a number of our recommendations and made some policy changes. However, ensuring meaningful and sustained change requires more: it needs a commitment by leadership to change departmental practices, increase accountability and responsiveness, and extend external oversight of reforms to ensure transparency. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2013. 210p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2013 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0113ForUpload_0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0113ForUpload_0.pdf Shelf Number: 127464 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice InvestigationsRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assaults (Washington, DC)Sexual Violence |
Author: Anderson, Jessica Title: Evaluation of the ACT Sexual Assault Reform Program (SARP): Final report Summary: In 2005 the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) produced a report, Responding to sexual assault: The challenge of change (DPP & AFP 2005), which made 105 recommendations for reforming the way sexual offence cases are handled by the ACT’s criminal justice system. The Sexual Assault Reform Program (SARP) is one key initiative developed in response to these recommendations. Managed by the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS), SARP’s main objective is to improve aspects of the criminal justice system relating to: processes and support for victims of sexual offences as they progress through the system; attrition in sexual offence matters in the criminal justice system; and coordination and collaboration among the agencies involved. In November 2007 the ACT Attorney-General announced $4 million of funding for several SARP reforms. This funding provided for additional victim support staff; a dedicated additional police officer, prosecutor and legal policy officer; and an upgrade of equipment for the Supreme Court and Magistrates Court, including improvements in technology to assist witnesses in giving evidence, and the establishment of an off-site facility to allow witnesses to give evidence from a location outside of the court. In addition, the reform agenda included a number of legislative amendments that changed how evidence can be given by victims of sexual and family violence offences, children and other vulnerable witnesses. The primary objectives of these legislative changes are to provide an unintimidating, safe environment for vulnerable witnesses (including sexual offence complainants) to give evidence and to obtain prompt statements from witnesses to improve the quality of evidence captured (DPP 2009: 13). The funding for SARP reforms also provided for a preliminary evaluation of the reforms; this report outlines findings from the evaluation. The evaluation sought to address whether the program has met its key objectives: better support for victims, lower attrition rates and improved coordination and collaboration among agencies involved in administering SARP. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2012. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Technical and Background Paper Series no. 51: Accessed February 21, 2013 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tbp/41-60/tbp051.html Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tbp/41-60/tbp051.html Shelf Number: 127693 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual Assault Reform Program (SARP)Sexual AssaultsSexual Violence (Australia) |
Author: Parren, Franny Title: Combatting Youth Sexual Aggression and Victimization in the European Union: Stakeholder Perspectives and Recommendations Summary: Youth sexual aggression and victimization (Y-SAV) is a problem all over Europe. In most countries where data on sexual violence is disaggregated by age, prevalence figures for sexual aggression and victimization in the age group 12-25 years old are higher compared to average fi gures for the overall population. Understanding and preventing youth sexual aggression and victimization is important not only to tackle the existing high prevalence, but also to invest in sexual health and equal relationships for future generations. Sexual aggression is characterised by many grey areas and there are a range of sexual pressures and unwanted sex that do not necessarily fit within the legal frame of sexual violence, but nonetheless require societal action. Particularly in the current context of over-exposure to media images and virtualised socio-sexual interaction, young people need adequate support to develop positive attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles, and to strengthen their sexual interaction competence. This report forms part of the European Y-SAV project (implemented in the period July 2010 - December 2013). Consultations have been conducted in nine EU member states (Ireland, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands) and a total of 73 organisations and 20 individual experts participated. The participants identified the main shortfalls and opportunities to address youth sexual aggression and victimization within a variety of areas and provided recommendations to improve responses towards youth sexual aggression and victimization at the EU level and at the level of individual member states. Details: Utrecht, The Netherlands: Rutgers WPF, 2013. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 23, 2013 at: http://ysav.rutgerswpf.org/sites/default/files/ESAP_2013_Online2.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://ysav.rutgerswpf.org/sites/default/files/ESAP_2013_Online2.pdf Shelf Number: 131662 Keywords: Juvenile OffendersJuvenile Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault (Europe) Sexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Tasmania Law Reform Institute Title: Protecting the Anonymity of Victims of Sexual Crimes Summary: The purpose of this Report is to review the operation of s 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 (Tas) which prohibits the publication of information likely to identify the complainant in sexual offences cases. It examines the adequacy of the law in achieving its objective of affording appropriate protection to victims of crimes of sexual assault. The Report also considers the position of victims who do not seek the protection of anonymity but who prefer that their voice be heard. The prohibition also applies to information likely to identify other witnesses in sexual offences cases, with the exception of the defendant. Although in some instances the observations and recommendations made may apply equally to other witnesses in sexual offences trials, the principal focus of this report is on the victims of sexual crimes. A related matter that falls outside the terms of reference for this Report is the extent to which authorised reports of cases, such as the Supreme Courts published Comments on Passing Sentence, are edited to ensure compliance with the requirements of s 194K. In responding to IP 18, Womens Legal Service Tasmania noted that the details contained in these can lead to identification whereas media reports are edited to avoid that likelihood. Detailed consideration of these issues is beyond the scope of this inquiry, although it may be something that the Court may like to pursue. The Report examines whether the current law requires clarification both of its scope and terminology, whether its purposes might be better achieved either by the introduction of additional features into s 194K or by the creation of a new statutory scheme, and whether it strikes the appropriate balance between protecting victims of sexual assault and the paramount public interest in open justice. Details: Hobart, Tasmania: Tasmania Law Reform Institute, 2013. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/461768/S194k_Final_05_A4.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/461768/S194k_Final_05_A4.pdf Shelf Number: 132075 Keywords: Sex OffensesSexual AssaultVictims of Crimes |
Author: Bluett-Boyd, Nicole Title: Victim/Survivor-Focused Justice Responses and Reform to Criminal Court Procedure: Implementation, Current Practice and Future Directions Summary: Many of the key narratives of sexual assault that have informed approaches to law reform highlight the unique disadvantage that victim/survivors face within the criminal justice process. Primarily, these concepts - including definitions of the "real" rape standard and the existence of an "ideal" "victim/survivor" draw on problematic, gendered social constructs and requirements that are rarely met by the reality of sexual assault. When projected onto trial settings, these constructs are often exploited through the practices of legal actors and the flexibility of current legislation. This ensures that the process of a criminal trial, and of providing testimony in particular, is traumatising for victim/survivors of sexual assault. The past three decades have seen reform at numerous levels to address these issues, both within and outside of the criminal justice process. While reforms are variable across jurisdictions, key changes include: - the expansion of counsellor/advocate services; - increased specialisation of police and prosecutions; - legislative amendments to the types of evidence that can be introduced at trial; - alternative provisions for giving evidence at trial; and - changes to the instructions given by the judiciary to the jury, including efforts to contextualise sexual assault. Many of these reforms are based on an understanding of the needs of victim/survivors within the criminal justice process. Until relatively recently these needs have conceptually been aligned with those of the justice system; with a focus on increasing convictions and ensuring punitive measures are taken. Recent reforms, including those identified above, appear to reflect an expanded definition of "justice needs", recognising that the criminal justice process intersects with therapeutic and social forms of redress. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2014. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. 27: Accessed April 28, 2014 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport27/rr27.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport27/rr27.pdf Shelf Number: 132184 Keywords: Criminal CourtsRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Crime |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales Summary: This report brings together, for the first time, a range of official statistics from across the crime and criminal justice system, providing an overview of sexual offending in England and Wales. Most of the information presented in this report has been previously published in other official statistics bulletins. The report is structured to highlight: the victim experience; the police role in recording and detecting the crimes; how the various criminal justice agencies deal with an offender once identified; and the criminal histories of sex offenders. Providing such an overview presents a number of challenges, not least that the available information comes from different sources that do not necessarily cover the same period, the same people (victims or offenders) or the same offences. For example, the results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) are based on self completed questions from a representative sample of adults (aged 16 to 59), asking about an individual's experiences of sexual offences in the last 12 months. The police recorded and court information cover all sexual offences, as legislated for in law, committed against any individual irrespective of age or when the crime took place, but exclude the large volume of crimes not reported to the police. Other issues that prevent direct comparisons include: the CSEW focusing on the most recent experience of adults as a victim of sexual offence in the previous 12 months (thus, for example, does not include sexual offences experienced by children or those aged 60 or over); police recorded crime figures being based on offences per victim (i.e. for each victim in a given incident, a crime is recorded) in the year the crime was reported, irrespective of when the offence took place; the criminal justice outcome information (e.g. cautions and convictions) being on an offender basis at the date of the final outcome, again irrespective of when the crime took place. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2013. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Statistics Bulletin: Accessed August 11, 2014 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214970/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214970/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 132980 Keywords: Crime Statistics (U.K.)RapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AssaultVictims of Crime |
Author: Ferstman, Carla Title: Criminalizing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers Summary: Summary - Sexual exploitation and abuse continue to pervade peacekeeping missions, and peacekeepers benefit from near-total impunity. - Several seminal United Nations (UN) studies and expert reports provide a useful blueprint of where the gaps lie, what must be done to address them, and how to do so. - Zero-tolerance UN policies have focused on preventing new abuse and strengthening codes of conduct. These goals are laudable but undermined when not accompanied by consistent discipline and criminal accountability. - Despite eight years of annual resolutions that underscore the need to address the problems, there is no evidence of greater accountability. - More work is needed to finish the job. States are responsible for disciplining and punishing their troops, but the UN must do more to ensure that this happens. - The UN needs to work actively with states to bridge the gaps in domestic legislation by issuing written advice and publishing model legislation. - The UN should publicly name and shame those states that fail to investigate and prosecute credible cases. - The UN should refrain from accepting troop contingents from countries that repeatedly fail to live up to their written assurances to investigate and prosecute. - The memorandum of understanding governing the relationship between the UN and troop-contributing countries should be further revised to introduce greater conditionality into the acceptance and removal of troop contingents. Details: Washington, DC: United State Institute of Peace, 2013. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Special Report: Accessed November 15, 2014 at: http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR335-Criminalizing%20Sexual%20Exploitation%20and%20Abuse%20by%20Peacekeepers.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR335-Criminalizing%20Sexual%20Exploitation%20and%20Abuse%20by%20Peacekeepers.pdf Shelf Number: 134091 Keywords: MilitaryRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual Exploitation |
Author: SPIRTO Self-Produced Images - Risk Taking Online Title: Self-Produced Images - Risk Taking Online (SPIRTO): Quantitative analysis of identified children data Summary: This project aims to build an evidence base of the risks for adolescents posed by the increased usage of technology, in particular, mobile or hand-held devices. The focus of the project was on the risks related to the new possibilities to generate sexual content, and understanding of the different contexts behind the creation of these images and the consequences for the young people involved. Details: s.l.: SPIRTO, 2014. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2015 at: http://www.spirto.health.ed.ac.uk/download/website_files/SPIRTO_Report_Quantative_Analysis_April2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.spirto.health.ed.ac.uk/download/website_files/SPIRTO_Report_Quantative_Analysis_April2014.pdf Shelf Number: 135151 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesSex OffensesSexting (U.K.) |
Author: Randhawa, Trisha Title: Child Grooming: Summary: In recent months a number of reports have been released that have brought child sexual abuse to the forefront of the public debate. In particular, the report by the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Sexual Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, Betrayal of Trust and the Department of Justice's Review of Sexual Offences: Consultation Paper, have led to calls for the introduction of a specific offence related to the grooming of children with the intent to sexually abuse them. Children are trusting and they rely on adults for love and support; when this trust is violated it has immeasurable impacts on their sense of self. The sexual abuse and rape of children is a crime that causes immense damage to a child across their entire life. The grooming of a child is a preparatory act essential to the subsequent crime of child sexual abuse - it is critical to recognise that the two elements are inextricably linked. Only through realising the importance of grooming as a stage in the sexual abuse of a child can effective interventions and preventative measures be implemented. The earlier abusive and grooming behaviours are detected, the less harm caused to the child. If the legislation is comprehensive, effective, and well implemented, police will be able to intervene at every stage of the child abuse process - from grooming, to encouragement, to actual abuse. The introduction of grooming legislation can only improve our ability to protect children. This report, completed as part of a Victorian Law Foundation grant awarded to Child Wise, is aimed at providing advice and guidance to legislators and practitioners as they consider the introduction of offences specifically targeting the grooming of a child. Details: South Melbourne, VIC, AUS: Child Wise, 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed August 17, 2015 at: http://childwise.blob.core.windows.net/assets/uploads/files/Grooming%20-%20Exploring%20the%20call%20for%20law%20reform%20-%20Child%20Wise%20(Web).pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://childwise.blob.core.windows.net/assets/uploads/files/Grooming%20-%20Exploring%20the%20call%20for%20law%20reform%20-%20Child%20Wise%20(Web).pdf Shelf Number: 136443 Keywords: Child GroomingChild Sexual AbuseSex Offenses |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF Title: Violence Against Children in Kenya: Findings from a 2010 National Survey Summary: The 2010 Kenya Violence against Children Study (VACs) is the first national survey of violence against both female and male children in Kenya. The survey is the most up to date National assessment of households covering 1,306 females and 1,622 males aged between 13 to 24 years. The Kenya VACs was designed to yield lifetime and current experiences of emotional , physical and sexual violations for female and male children from the following age groups: - 18 to 24 year olds who experienced acts of violence prior to age 18 (lifetime events). - 13 to 17 year olds who experienced acts of violence during the 12 months prior to the survey (current events). The 2010 Kenya VACs was guided by a Technical Working Group (TWG). The group was assembled in view of their expertise in issues of children in Kenya and the mandates of their organizations. The findings from the survey indicate that violence against children is a serious problem in Kenya. Levels of violence prior to age 18 as reported by 18 to 24 year olds (lifetime experiences) indicate that during childhood, 32% of females and 18% of males experience sexual violence . 66% of females and 73% of males experienced physical violence and 26% of females and 32% of males experience any violence as a child. 13% of females and 9% of males experienced all three types of violence during childhood. The most common perpetrators of sexual violence for females and males were found to be boyfriends/girlfriends/romantic partners comprising 47% and 43% respectively followed by neighbors, 27% and 21% respectively. Mothers and fathers were the most common perpetrator of physical violence by family members. For males, teachers followed by Police were the most common perpetrators of physical violence by an authority figure. Emotional violence for both females and males was most often inflicted by parents. Regardless of the type of violence, less than one out of every females or males who experienced sexual, physical, or emotional violence as a child knew of a place to go to seed professional help. Most importantly, less than 10% of females and males who experienced sexual, physical or emotional violence as a child actually received some form of professional help. Females aged 18 to 24 who reported experiencing sexual violence in childhood were significantly more likely to report feelings of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and fair/poor health than those females who did not experience sexual violence. Three out of every ten females 30% aged 18 to 24 who reported experiencing unwanted completed intercourse before the age of 18 (i.e., sex that was physically forced or pressured ) became pregnant as a result. About 90% of females and males who experienced sexual violence as a child reported of a place to go for HIV testing. Among females aged 18 to 24 who experienced sexual violence as a child, about 7% had received money for sex compared to 2% of those who did not experience violence prior to age 18. Females and males age 18 to 24 who experienced sexual violence prior to age 18 (7% versus 2% for females; 53% versus 35% for males). Over half females and males age 18 to 24, regardless of whether they experienced violence prior to 18, believe that it is acceptable for a husband to beat his wife. Furthermore, 40% of females and 50% of males believed that a woman should tolerate spousal violence in order to keep her family together. Details: Nairobi: UNICEF - Kenya Office, 2012. 178p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2015 at: https://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/docs/VAC_in_Kenya.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Kenya URL: https://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/docs/VAC_in_Kenya.pdf Shelf Number: 137028 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentEmotional AbuseFamily ViolenceRapeSex OffensesSexual ViolenceViolence Against Children |
Author: Lovell, Rachel Title: Do John Schools Really Decrease Recidivism? A methodological critique of an evaluation of the San Francisco First Offender Prostitution Program Summary: A growing number of governments are creating "john schools" in the belief that providing men with information about prostitution will stop them from buying sex, which will in turn stop prostitution and trafficking. John schools typically offer men arrested for soliciting paid sex the opportunity (for a fee) to attend lectures by health experts, law enforcement and former sex workers in exchange for cleared arrest records if they are not re-arrested within a certain period of time. A 2008 examination of the San Francisco john school, "Final Report on the Evaluation of the First Offender Prostitution Program," claims to be the first study to prove that attending a john school leads to a lower rate of recidivism or re-arrest (Shively et al.). Despite its claims, the report offers no reliable evidence that the john school classes reduce the rate of re-arrests. This paper analyzes the methodology and data used in the San Francisco study and concludes that serious flaws in the research design led the researchers to claim a large drop in re-arrest rates that, in fact, occurred before the john school was implemented. Details: Washington, DC: American University Washington College of Law; Chicago: DePaul University, Social Science Research Center, 2012. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 11, 2015 at: https://maggiemcneill.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/john-schools-and-recidivism.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://maggiemcneill.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/john-schools-and-recidivism.pdf Shelf Number: 137233 Keywords: ProstitutionRecidivismSex OffendersSex Offenses |
Author: Tonnessen, Liv Title: Women and Girls Caught between Rape and Adultery in Sudan: Criminal Law Reform, 2005-2015 Summary: This report investigates criminal law reform in Sudan, focusing on two important and controversial legal reforms related to (a) a definition of rape that is clearly de-linked from the Islamic crime of zina (i.e., sexual intercourse between individuals who are not married to each other) and (b) a definition of "child" as an individual younger than 18 in statutory rape cases. Many legal reforms have been proposed in Sudan since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 officially ended the extended civil war (Africa's longest) between the north and south of the country. The peace accord opened up some space for women's groups after a long period of harsh authoritarian control. All Sudanese laws were to be reviewed and reformed in alignment with the Interim National Constitution of 2005, including the Criminal Act of 1991. Although the peace agreement was largely gender-blind, the interim constitution included clauses on gender equality and affirmative action (Itto 2006). Pro-women activists as well as women within the government have been particularly active in advocating for legal reforms since 2005 with reference to the bill of rights. Two major legal reforms - in 2010 and 2015 - have dealt with rape. The most recent legal reform redefines rape in Sudan's Criminal Act of 1991. Until February 2015, "rape" was defined as zina (adultery or fornication) without consent. The act of zina was, and still is, punishable by 100 lashes for unmarried offenders and by death by stoning for married offenders. The blending of the ideas of rape and zina in the 1991 act meant that the strict rules of evidence used for zina were also applied to rape, something that constituted a serious legal obstacle for rape victims. Pro-women activists contested this legal position by forming the "Alliance of 149," named after the rape article in the Criminal Act. Interviews conducted during the last five years show that the reform process on rape/zina has been politicized, especially after the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted Sudan's president for sexual warfare in Darfur in 2009. Around the same time as the National Assembly was amending Sudan's rape law, it forcibly shut down the founding member and initiator of the "Alliance of 149". In addition, the definition of apostasy was widened in such a manner that it can easily be used to clamp down on activists who are criticizing the Islamist regime. Darfur brought the previously taboo topic of rape into the public debate by focusing attention on sexual violence in Sudanese society. This furthered debate in both government and civil society about reform of Sudan's rape laws (including the controversial topic of marital rape), although only limited dialogue on the topic has arisen between government reformists and pro-women activists. Reformist Islamist women in government managed to effectively advocate for an amendment to the Criminal Act de-linking rape from zina, which Sudan's National Assembly passed in February this year. However, the reform is only partial, since the Evidence Act of 1994, in which rape and zina are still conflated, has yet to be reformed. In addition, marital rape is not explicitly criminalized. The other significant legal reform deals with statutory rape. Under the definition of "rape" in the pre-2015 version of the Criminal Act, the requirement of evidence for lack of consent does not apply to children, which means children have had better protection under the law. However, determining who was a "child" was a thorny issue. The Criminal Act of 1991 defines a child to be someone who has not yet reached puberty, as understood in Islam. Sudanese judges have taken varying approaches to defining "puberty," however. Many have viewed age 15 as the dividing line between childhood and adulthood, while others have looked for physical signs of puberty (or "sexual maturity"). In practice, this has meant that girls over the age of 15 (and sometimes even below) who have raised rape cases in Sudanese courts have been treated as adults. And as adults, they have had to show evidence that they did not consent to the sexual act. In 2010, Sudan enacted a new National Child Act that defines a child as an individual younger than 18 in accordance with the United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Sudan ratified in 1991. The Child Act specifically criminalizes statutory rape. As it stands now, the new law is in conflict with the Criminal Act, however. Although the Child Act should take precedence, our findings suggest that the implementation of the act in courts in Khartoum is uncertain in statutory rape cases: while some judges implement the Child Act in statutory rape cases for all girls under the age of 18, some still follow the Criminal Act and look for signs of puberty. The definition of a child as younger than 18 years in the Child Act of 2010 did not receive much attention at the time of enactment, but it is has become the focus of heated debate as conservative actors have realized that this new definition also has repercussions for the age of marriage, which is set at puberty in Sudan's Muslim Family Law of 1991. Two conflicting positions within the current Islamist government (including in the judiciary itself) both employ Islamic arguments. In February 2015, an amendment to the Criminal Act was proposed to the National Assembly setting the age of criminal responsibility at 18 in accordance with the Child Act and international conventions ratified by Sudan. However, this proposal was blocked, partly by the judiciary itself, which advocated for the age of 15. Meanwhile a legal counter-mobilization against the Child Act continues and has resulted in a case currently pending in Sudan's Constitutional Court. Details: Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2015. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: R 2015:10: Accessed May 5, 2016 at: http://www.cmi.no/publications/file/5661-women-and-girls-caught-between-rape-and-adultery.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Sudan URL: http://www.cmi.no/publications/file/5661-women-and-girls-caught-between-rape-and-adultery.pdf Shelf Number: 138953 Keywords: AdulteryCriminal Law ReformGender-Related ViolenceRapeSex OffensesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Great Britain. Crown Prosecution Service Title: Violence against Women and Girls: Crime Report, 2013-2014 Summary: This report is an analysis of the key prosecution issues in each Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) strand - domestic violence (DV), rape, sexual offences, stalking, harassment, forced marriage, honour based violence, female genital mutilation, child abuse, human trafficking, prostitution and pornography. We recognise that most of these offences are targeted at male victims as well as female victims. A number of case studies are used to illustrate some good practice from Areas. Details: London: Crown Prosecution Services, 2014. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 147889 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectCrime StatisticsDomestic ViolenceForced MarriageHonour-Based ViolenceHuman TraffickingPornographyProstitutionSex OffensesViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Thomas, Menna Title: 'I Never Spoke About it'...Supporting sexually exploited boys and young men in Wales Summary: This qualitative research draws primarily on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 42 professionals working across Wales. A focus group was however carried out with 20 young people involved in a junior safeguarding board, four of whom were boys who had been sexually exploited. An adult survivor of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation participated in an in-depth interview. Interviews with professionals The research sample of professionals was drawn from the community of personnel working most closely with high risk groups of boys and young men across the four police force areas in Wales. The interviews were conducted face to face or over the phone. The aim was to interview a representative sample of professionals working in the following sectors: - the police, - social services, - education, - sexual health services, - substance misuse services, - youth offending teams, - homelessness services, - advocacy services, - family support services, - equalities organisations - specialist services addressing; child sexual exploitation (CSE), harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). It was possible to cover all these sectors in two of the four police force areas. In the other two areas we carried out a small number of interviews with professionals who did not fit with our original target group, but who clearly had a valid and important contribution to make, such as those working in projects supporting sex workers. Interviews focussed on: - roles and responsibilities relating to young people with experience/ at risk of CSE - the SERAF assessment tool and how this is used to identify risk for boys and young men - perceptions of the features of male CSE - perceptions of how male experience of CSE compares to female experience - perceptions of risk factors for boys and young men - barriers and facilitators to identifying and engaging with at-risk boys or those with experience of CSE. Accessing the views of those with experience of child sexual exploitation (CSE) We originally aimed to interview between six and fifteen boys and young men aged between 16 and 25, who had experience of being at risk of, or involved in, CSE. This proved very difficult to achieve. The highly sensitive nature of the issue, and the low number of boys identified and referred to services, meant that even where boys were being worked with they were reluctant to engage in research interviews, or professionals working with them decided that they were too vulnerable. We approached the following services seeking the participation of boys: - Barnardo's Cymru specialist CSE and HSB services, and services working with care leavers and homeless young people - substance misuse services working with young people across Wales - private residential care organisations across Wales - an LGBTQ (lesbian gay bisexual trans questioning) service for young people When this resulted in no individuals coming forward to participate, we approached organisations who worked with young people in groups, and organisations working with vulnerable adults. These included adult substance misuse services and homeless support services in one Welsh city, and two children's organisations working with vulnerable young people in groups. The outcome of this was that we were able to engage, via a focus group, with 20 young people, both boys and girls, aged between 10 and 18, who were part of a junior safeguarding board. This group included at least four boys who had been sexually exploited, though as researchers we were not aware of their identity. It also included a girl who had been sexually exploited, and who made herself known to us. We were also contacted through an adult substance misuse service by a young adult survivor of sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse. The following issues were addressed in the interview and the focus group: - the ways a vulnerable or at-risk boy might present, and what professionals should look out for in boys - perceptions of any differences between the way boys and girls experience CSE - ideas about what approaches or environments might feel safe enough for boys to start talking about these issues - experiences boys and young men may have had of being well supported - perceptions of barriers to getting help - information and support boys might need to help them keep safe in relationships The ethical protocol for the research was approved by the Barnardo's Research Ethics Committee (BREC). Further information about the methodology and ethical protocol are included in the appendix. Summary of key findings and recommendations Key findings - Negative experiences of care and family life are known to create vulnerabilities which can lead to a higher risk of sexual exploitation as children become adolescents, for boys as well as girls. - There is concern among professionals that there may be more complacency when teenage boys go missing compared to girls, and that this explains discrepancies in reporting patterns. - Boys' routes into sexual exploitation are complicated and difficult to identify, as they are often closely aligned to criminal behaviour and/or substance misuse. - Boys can be groomed into sexual exploitation by older men, older women, and their peers, of both genders. Boys are at risk of being groomed online. - There is evidence that sexual stereotypes often play a part in the interpretation of boys' behaviour, with negative behaviour being taken at face value and not explored, or understood, as a potential response to trauma, as is more likely to be the case with girls. - Professionals are more likely to view boys as aggressors rather than victims, based on their behaviour. - There is evidence that professionals do not give some CSE risk indicators the same weight for boys as they do for girls. - Boys are viewed as being more resistant than girls to recognising and accepting that they have been sexually exploited. For this reason, it was the experience of support workers that boys needed more time to establish trusting relationships with them. - Some boys are keenly affected by sexual stereotypes, and require a practice approach which actively avoids further disempowerment. - Heterosexual boys who have been exploited by males can experience confusion about their sexuality which induces guilt, fear and distress. This can represent a significant barrier to disclosure and seeking help. - Gay, bisexual or questioning boys who are made vulnerable through discrimination within their homes and communities can be at risk of entering same-sex relationships which are exploitative. - Boys with learning disabilities which reduce their ability to understand new or complex information, learn new skills and to cope independently are at increased risk of sexual exploitation. - CSE is currently viewed as an offence primarily affecting girls and young women, and this is a barrier to the identification of boys at risk of, or experiencing, CSE Details: SANDS Cymru, The Wallich, Caer Las, Umbrella Gwent, Wales: Barnardo's, 2016 Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2016 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/17595_bs_i_never_spoke_about_it_cse_report_e.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/17595_bs_i_never_spoke_about_it_cse_report_e.pdf Shelf Number: 140437 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMale Sexual ExploitationSex Offenses |
Author: Great Britain. Crown Prosecution Service Title: Violence against Women and Girls: Crime Report, 2015-16 Summary: The Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) report is the ninth edition published by the CPS. It provides an assessment of prosecution performance on crimes that have been grouped together under the heading ‘VAWG’, as they have been identified as being committed primarily, but not exclusively, by men against women. The CPS addresses these issues within the overarching crossgovernment strategic framework of VAWG, recognising that victims of this group of crimes are disproportionally female. The approach acknowledges VAWG as a fundamental issue of human rights and women’s rights. The UK government has signed and ratified the United Nations call to all states to prevent and respond to violence against women. VAWG is recognised worldwide, and by the UK Government, as a form of offending where gender plays a part. As the United Nations2 describes it: ‘Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and … violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men’. The CPS is committed to securing justice for all victims of crimes grouped together as ‘VAWG’. To that end, we are inclusive in our approach. All our VAWG policies are applied fairly and equitably to all perpetrators and victims of crime – irrespective of their gender. Recognising that these offences can be targeted at male and transgender victims as well as female victims, the report includes total data on all perpetrators and victims, irrespective of gender. Where possible, data is broken down, in the body of the report, by gender as well as overall volumes and proportions. The report is an analysis of the key prosecution issues in each VAWG strand – domestic abuse (DA), stalking, harassment, rape, sexual offences, forced marriage, honour based violence, female genital mutilation, child abuse, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, prostitution and pornography. The data that forms the basis of the report is derived from the CPS’ Case Management System (CMS) and its associated Management Information System (MIS) which shows the number of defendants, offences and victims or witnesses. Domestic abuse, rape, forced marriage, honour-based violence, child abuse and human trafficking cases are identified by flags applied to defendants. Stalking, harassment, sexual offences, prostitution, pornography and obscenity data can only be provided using the offences data base. Details: London: CPS, 2016. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 15, 2016 at: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2016.pdf Shelf Number: 146121 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Crime StatisticsDomestic Violence Forced Marriage Honour-Based Violence Human Trafficking Pornography Prostitution Sex Offenses Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Tasmania. Department of Justice, Sentencing Advisory Council. Title: Sex Offence Sentencing Final Report Summary: The Sentencing Advisory Council's Final Report on Sex Offence Sentencing has been prepared by the Council following the raising of concerns that sentencing for sexual offences in Tasmania was out of step with sentencing for comparable offences in other Australian jurisdictions and/or community standards and expectations. The terms of reference asked the Council to report on existing sentencing practices in the Tasmanian Supreme Court regarding sex offences and to provide advice on how to address any inadequacies. The Council was also asked to gauge public opinion on this matter. The research and public responses have been incorporated into this final report which makes 15 recommendations Details: Hobart: Sentencing Advisory Council, 2015. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2017 at: http://www.sentencingcouncil.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/325054/1832_SAC_sex_offenders_report_Access2.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.sentencingcouncil.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/325054/1832_SAC_sex_offenders_report_Access2.pdf Shelf Number: 144432 Keywords: SentencingSex OffendersSex Offenses |
Author: Minnesota Department of Corrections Title: Community-Based Sex Offender Program Evaluation Project: 1995 Report to the Legislature Summary: In 1993, the Minnesota Legislature enacted M.S. 241.67, Subd. 8, which requires that the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) provide follow-up information on sex offenders placed on probation and conduct research to provide the data from which to . recommend a fiscally sound plan to provide a coordinated system of effective sex offender treatment programming. This legislation also requires the DOC to provide treatment programs in several geographical areas of the state and to encourage the formation of model programs suited to local needs. The Sex Offender/Chemical Dependency (SO/CD) Services Unit of the DOC has been given the primary responsibility for accomplishing the goals ofM.S. 241.67, Subd. 8. In August, 1993 the DOC convened an Advisory Task Force to assist in giving direction to this project. Upon their advice, the SO/CD Services Unit has proposed the following plan to meet the mandate of the legislature. (1) Provide follow-up information on each sex - offender for a period of three years following the offender's completion of or termination from treatment: We have developed instruments to allow for continuous data collection on sex offenders placed on probation. Information will be received on each sex offender at various points throughout his stay on probation, including pre-sentence assessment, placement on probation, entry into treatment, completion of or termination from treatment, and discharge from probation. Positive and negative outcomes will be studied. The development of these instruments is described in this report. (2) Provide treatment programs in several geographical areas in the state: We administer funding for a wide variety of sex offender treatment programs throughout the state. These programs are monitored closely and have been the source of innovative approaches to dealing with sex offenders on probation. A complete description of the funding provided for FY95 and allocations made for FY96-7 are contained in this report. More than 800 sex offenders received treatment services in FY95 through funds administered by the SO/CD Services Unit. (3) Provide the necessary data to form the basis to recommend a fiscally sound plan to provide a coordinated statewide system of effective sex offender treatment programming: The Retrospective Probation Study is a large scale research project studying sex offenders placed on probation in the years 1987, 1989, and 1992. We have obtained data from the probation files of over 700 sex offenders, and have received preliminary results which are enlightening and encouraging. For example, 73% of the offenders in this sample showed no further arrests for any sort of criminal behavior with an average time at risk of more than four years. Further detail is available in this report. We also report on plans to conduct program evaluation research. (4) Provide an opportunity to local and regional governments, agencies, and programs to establish models of sex offender programs that are suited to the needs of that region: The District Development Component will assist in accomplishing this goal. We believe that it should be based on the results of the efforts described above. They should be driven by a study of the tracking of sex offenders, an examination of the success of the programs we have funded, and analysis of the data collected in the Retrospective Probation Study. The Community-Based Sex Offender Program Evaluation Project (CBSOPEP) has been active in two major areas in the last fiscal year. The Project has funded treatment for sex offenders through the use of grants and contracts and has begun the research essential to providing the Legislature with the information necessary to develop statewide sex offender programming and supervision. The following report is presented in two sections. The first section concerns the Project's funding of sex offender programming and the second reports on the research completed as of September 1995. Details: St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 1995. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 15, 2019 at: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre2003/mandated/960092.pdf Year: 1995 Country: United States URL: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre2003/mandated/960092.pdf Shelf Number: 157004 Keywords: Community-Based Services Corrections Probation Programming Recidivism Sex Offender Sex Offenses |
Author: Minnesota Department of Corrections Title: Community-Based Sex Offender Program Evaluation Project: 1994 Report to the Legislature Summary: This is the second annual report to the Minnesota Legislature on the Community-Based Sex Offender Program Evaluation Project (the Project), as required by Minnesota Statutes 241.67, subd. 8(c). At the time of the first report, the Project staff had been recently hired and the Advisory Thsk Force was established but had not met for the fust time. A great deal has been accomplished since then. This report will describe those accomplishments and the proposed plans for continued development of the Project. The legislature is seeking effective and efficient mechanisms by which it can provide funding for community-based sex offender treatment. To establish such mechanisms, the legislature recognized that comprehensive information is required regarding sex offenders and the nature of sex offender treatment. In addition, sound evaluation of treatment programs and treatment outcomes is needed. Recent reports to the legislature by the Office of the Legislative Auditor (1994) and the Departments of Corrections and Human Services (1993) stated that this information is not available in Minnesota. The reports also stated that the effectiveness of sex offender treatment in reducing recidivism has not been demonstrated. In 1993, the legislature established the Community-Based Sex Offender Program Evaluation Project in M.S. 241.67, subd. 8. One of the Project's stated goals is to gather the necessary information required to develop a plan for an effective and fiscally sound, coordinated statewide system of sex offender treatment. As part of this process, the Project is required to provide a three-year follow-up to determine reoffense rates for all sex offenders who are sentenced to treatment as a condition of probation. The Project also is required to provide funding to help offset the cost to communities of sex offender treatment and to directly fund sex offender treatment programs where need is established. Eleven grants for community-based treatment and assessment projects have been awarded, and $750,000 will soon be distributed to fund sex offender treatment. The task set for the Proj ect is unprecedented in that no such multi-dimensional prospective project to evaluate sex offender programming has ever been conducted in the United States. Considerable resources and commitment will be required to implement and complete this mandate. However, the benefits generated by the results of this proj ect are anticipated to have a major impact. If the integrity of the Project is not compromised, one result, for example, would be a complete overview of sex offender treatment as it is currently applied in Minnesota. This would include: 1) a description and assessment of how the system is working and how much it costs; 2) information on what occurs after sex offenders leave treatment; and 3) the ability to identify what treatment components are effective in reducing recidivism. Secondly, the core data base will create an infrastructure which will allow ongoing evaluations for future decisions regarding funding and programming. Sex offender programs will get important feedback to help them monitor their effectiveness. Thirdly, this infrastructure would provide a basis for the in-depth study of sexual aggression, as well as for the study of psychopathology in general. Project staff are seeking monies to supplement the funding provided by the legislature. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has already provided funding for several expert researchers to travel to Minnesota to consult with Project staff. Additionally, NIMH has plans to allocate further discretionary funding for the Project in its next budget. The Traumatic Stress and Violence Unit of the NIMH has made the Project a top priority for its perpetrator research program (see Appendix B). Project staff are currently preparing a research proposal with the aid of Dr. Raymond Knight, an expert in the field of sex offender research, for submission to NIMH for substantial funding of the core component of data gathering of the Project. A project of this magnitude has many issues to resolve and obstacles to overcome. No guidelines exist for conducting such a project. Because of this, before any research can be undertaken, many issues and alternative courses of action need to be explored, and their costs and benefits defined. During the period covered by this report, much of the conceptualization and research design has been completed. The Project's direction has been substantially structured and plans for the initial stages of implementation have been determined. There are still a number of issues and many details to be resolved, but the first data collection instruments are ready to be tested and the first' research projects will soon be underway. The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to conducting the highest quality planning and research possible in order to make a practical, realistic, and workable recommendation. The department is pleased to present this report to the Minnesota Legislature. Before proceeding with the report, one important issue must be addressed. As the Project developed, it naturally moved through several stages of planning and refinement of its goals and objectives. Early in this process, it became clear that sex offender treatment is viewed in terms that are too narrow. The tendency is to consider sex offender treatment as a process that begins when offenders enter a treatment program and ends when they leave the program. This results in outcome and recidivism research that isolates a treatment program from its social context and attributes the "success" or "failure" of its clients as due solely to the actions of the program on its clients. In consultation with the Advisory Task Force, the Project has conceptualized sex offender treatment in broader terms. This perspective is labeled "comprehensive sex offender programming" and is composed of a series of related activities: assessment, treatment, aftercare, and supervision. Comprehensive sex offender programming is the main focus of the Project's data gathering and research effort, and the goal of its recommendations. This report begins with a section which describes the legislative history of the Project and the Project mandate. Subsequent sections describe Project plans for the administration of funds for community-based sex offender treatment, collection of relevant data, and evaluation research activities. The report concludes with a list of recommendations for consideration by the legislature. Details: St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 1994. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 15, 2019 at: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre2003/mandated/950376.pdf Year: 1994 Country: United States URL: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre2003/mandated/950376.pdf Shelf Number: 157005 Keywords: Community-Based Services Corrections Probation Programming Recidivism Sex Offender Sex Offenses |
Author: Minnesota Department of Corrections Title: Community-Based Sex Offender Program Evaluation Report: 1998 Report to the Legislature Summary: Details: St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 1998. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 15, 2019 at: Copy available at Rutgers-Newark Criminal Justice Library Year: 1998 Country: United States URL: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/mndocs/mndocs Shelf Number: 157006 Keywords: Community-Based Services Corrections Probation Programming Recidivism Sex Offender Sex Offenses |