Psychological and Legal Aspects of Dangerous Sex Offenders: A Review of the Literature

M. T Rowlands; G Palk; Ross Young

doi:10.1080/13218719.2017.1315763

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Psychological and Legal Aspects of Dangerous Sex Offenders: A Review of the Literature

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Psychological and Legal Aspects of Dangerous Sex Offenders: A Review of the Literature

M. T Rowlands, G Palk and Ross Young

Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Vol.24(6), pp.812-824

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2017.1315763

PMCID: PMC6818440

PMID: 31983992

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https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2017.1315763View

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Abstract

sex offender legislation

dangerousness

clinical risk assessment

dangerous sex offenders

sex offending

The purpose of this article is to review legislation on 'dangerous sex offenders' critically. Most modern legislation determines an individual to be 'dangerous' if he or she is at unacceptably high risk of committing further sexual violence. While the decision is judicial in practice, clinical testimony is utilised to inform courts' decision-making. Dangerousness may be a normative (legal) construct, but it is reliant on clinical assessment. Offenders are not at risk only due to historical factors; the possibility of committing sexual violence in the future is likely affected by temporal factors such as response to therapy, substance misuse, and proximity to victims. It is not clear that mental illness would place an offender at risk, although certain personality disorders are considered to be risk factors. In reporting actual risk, clinicians need to consider a range of variables, and not exclusively use actuarial measures or unstructured clinical interviews.

Details

Title: Psychological and Legal Aspects of Dangerous Sex Offenders: A Review of the Literature
Authors: M. T Rowlands (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
G Palk (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Ross Young (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Vol.24(6), pp.812-824
Publisher: Routledge
DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2017.1315763
ISSN: 1934-1687
PMID: 31983992; PMC6818440
Organisation Unit: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation); University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99551704902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Criminology & Penology; Law; Psychiatry; Psychology, Multidisciplinary

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