Bibliography

Who abuses children?

Beech, A R; Fisher, D D.
The rehabilitation of child sex offenders.
Australian Psychologist v.37 no.3 Nov 2002: 206-214, figures

A model of treatment is described which outlines the typical cognitive-behavioural approach to treatment of child sexual abusers in the United Kingdom (UK). The model describes treatment, which addresses the following areas: denial, offence specific deficits, socioaffective problems and relapse prevention skills. Research evidence is outlined as to why these areas need to be addressed in treatment, and an argument is made about the importance of dealing with the areas in the order set out in the model. Finally, the model outlines potential mediators to treatment effectiveness: motivation to change, locus of control and level of fixation. In this section of the model the authors describe how these can have an effect upon treatment efficacy. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Australian Psychological Society, PO Box 38, Flinders Lane PO, Melbourne Vic 8009. Internet http://www.psychsociety.com.au/

Blackshaw, J; Walker, N.
What have we learnt? Using evidence-based practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young offenders.
In: What Works? Evidence Based Practice in Child and Family Services - ACWA Conference, September 2002, proceedings. Bondi Beach, NSW: Association of Childrens Welfare Agencies, 2002, 13p, Online only (MS Word 49K)
http://www.acwa.asn.au/Conf2002/Conf_proceedings/ 26%20Blackshaw%20Walker.doc

The authors, who are practitioners in the area of child protection and juvenile justice, provide practice and policy advice to staff who work directly with young offenders. They also aim to ensure that practice is conducted within an evidence based framework, and keep track of trends in youth offending. However, they argue that there is a lack of evidence in this area and research needs to be undertaken so that practitioners within Australia who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young offenders can have access to interventions that work. This article looks at the principles of service provision and what makes Indigenous young offenders different to non Indigenous offenders.

Available from: Association of Childrens Welfare Agencies, Locked Bag 13, Haymarket NSW 1240. Email acwa@acwa.asn.au. Internet http://www.acwa.asn.au/

Calvert, G.
Perspectives from the Commissioner on alternative models for prosecuting offenders.
In: Conference papers: Child Sexual Abuse: Justice Response or Alternative Resolution Conference, Adelaide, May 2003. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003, 5p, Online only (PDF 29K)
http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/2003-abuse/calvert.pdf

In this paper the New South Wales Commissioner for Children and Young People considers how we can work together to improve the justice system for kids who are sexually assaulted. She argues for a stronger voice for children and young people in the legal process. Reforms of the system should include research on what kids think about alternative prosecutorial models for child sex offences. While the author does not fully support proposals for dealing with child sexual abuse offences through civil, rather than the criminal, law, or for the creation of a specialised Child Sexual Assault Court, she suggests a number of points of improvement relating to child sex offence cases that could easily be implemented in the court system. She argues that what is really needed is a cultural shift to improve the way that adults respond to children and young people in the legal system, regardless of how that system is structured.

Available from: Australian Institute of Criminology, GPO Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601. Email aicpress@aic.gov.au. Internet http://www.aic.gov.au

Dixon, Angela; Howie, Pauline; Starling, Jean.
Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, and psychiatric comorbidity in female juvenile offenders.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry v.44 no.8 Aug 2005: 798-806, tables, figures

This study examined 100 incarcerated female juvenile offenders to investigate rates of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study also explored the relationship of PTSD in female juvenile offenders to trauma history, comorbid diagnoses, attributional style and family functioning. The results demonstrate that some types of trauma, particularly sexual abuse, are differentially associated with PTSD in female juvenile offenders. The article discusses implications for clinicians working with young female offenders.

Available from: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Subscription Department, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, PO Box 350, Hagerstown MD 2174-0350. Internet http://www.aacap.org

Eccleston, Lynne; Ward, Tony.
Is risk management enough? Approach and avoidance goals in the treatment of sex offenders.
In: Wortley, R. and Smallbone, S. eds. Situational prevention of child sexual abuse. Monsey, NY, USA: Criminal Justice Press, 2006, p223-250 (Crime prevention studies no.19)

This chapter reviews situational theories of offending and the risk management approach to sexual offending. Standard approaches to rehabilitation and treatment focus on changing internal implicit theories and controlling external situational conditions. The chapter argues that treatment places too much emphasis on avoidance goals and negative goods in the environment, and suggests that it would be more productive to strike a balance between risk management and need fulfilment. It proposes a 'good lives model' in which sexual offenders are equipped with internal and external conditions to secure primary goods in adaptive ways that reduce their situational risk of offending.

Gee, Dion G; Devilly, Grant J; Ward, Tony.
The content of sexual fantasies for sexual offenders.
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment v.16 no.4 Oct 2004: 315-331

A qualitative analysis was used to develop a descriptive model of the phenomena of sexual fantasy during the offence process. Twenty-four adult males convicted of sexual offences provided detailed retrospective descriptions of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours before, during, and after their offences. Using Grounded Theory, a model was developed to elucidate the content and themes of sexual fantasy for sexual offenders, as well as the way fantasy content was used in the process of sexual offending. The model was named The Sexual Fantasy Content Model (SFCM). Its strengths are discussed and its clinical implications are reviewed.

Hazlitt, Graham; Poletti, Patrizia; Donnelly, Hugh.
Sentencing offenders convicted of child sexual assault.
Sydney, NSW: Judicial Commission of New South Wales, 2004, 53p, tables, figures (Monograph series 25), and Online (PDF 304K)
http://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/monograph25/monograph25.pdf

This study analyses sentences handed down to 467 offenders in the NSW District Court between 2000 and 2002, and NSW Court of Criminal Appeal child sexual assault decisions during 2000 to 2003. It considers changes in community attitudes and in sentencing and whether offenders of crimes tried years after they were committed should be sentenced according to patterns applicable at the time of the offence or at the time of sentencing. The report covers the study methodology and discusses the following areas: good character; section 21A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999; victim impact statements; standard non parole periods; hardship of custody; persistent child sexual abuse; post sentence obligations for offenders; frequency of offences; the seriousness of the offences; gender and age of victims; gender and age of offenders; patterns of sentencing; special circumstances; other factors at sentence; and comparisons between the use of various sections of the Crimes Act.

Available from: Judicial Commission of New South Wales. Internet http://wwww.judcom.nsw.gov.au

Heath, Janet M; Thompson, Anthony P.
Extrafamilial child abuse: an analysis of briefs of evidence to investigate relationships between perpetrator and victim characteristics.
In: Katsikitis, M. ed. Psychology bridging the Tasman: science, culture and practice: proceedings of the 2006 Joint Conference of the APS and NZPsS, 26-30 September 2006, Auckland, NZ. Melbourne, Vic: Australian Psychological Society, 2006, p180-184 (PDF on CD-ROM, whole volume 8.4MB)

To understand and prevent child sexual abuse by extrafamilial perpetrators it is useful to explore patterns of offending, particularly aspects that may have facilitated access to children and subsequent exploitation. Data relating to 721 incidents of child sexual abuse committed by 93 extrafamilial perpetrators against 237 victims were obtained from Crown briefs of evidence. The briefs were prepared between 1997 and 2004 by members of the Sexual Crimes Squad, Victoria Police. Victim statements and the transcripts of interview with the perpetrators were the primary source of information. A system of classification was developed to reveal characteristics and dynamics useful to understanding and dealing with extrafamilial child sexual abuse. Results supported the view that age and gender of victim and the type of relationship that existed between victim and perpetrator are associated. Offence behaviours were also associated with victim gender and with the type of relationship that existed between perpetrator and victim. (Author abstract, edited)

Available from: Australian Psychological Society http://www.psychology.org.au

Kite, Donna; Tyson, G A.
The impact of perpetrator gender on male and female police officers' perceptions of child sexual abuse.
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law v.11 no.2 2004: 308-318, table

Research in America, Canada and England indicates that professionals involved in the investigation of sexual abuse cases have differing perceptions of seriousness, punishment and impact on the child, based on the professional's gender and the perpetrator's gender. The aim of this study was to investigate if such effects are prevalent in Australian child-abuse investigators, specifically the police. To assess this, 361 Australian police officers responded to a self-report questionnaire relating to a vignette describing child sexual abuse. The questions examined the police officer's perception of seriousness of the incident, the police action they would take and the perceived impact on the child. The vignette described the perpetrator as either male or female, with 172 police officers responding to the female perpetrator vignette and 189 responding to the male perpetrator vignette. The results indicated that, unlike overseas research findings in this area, the police officers' gender did not influence their perception of child sexual abuse, their perceived impact on the child, or the police action they would take The gender of the perpetrator did however influence these factors, with a gender bias in favour of the female perpetrator. This finding is consistent with overseas research and is a factor that those working in the area should be aware of to ensure incidents involving female perpetrators are not underestimated or dismissed. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Australian Academic Press

Kusuma, Rosemary.
Review of the Child Protection Register Report under s 25(1) of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000.
Sydney, NSW: NSW Ombudsman, 2005, 207p, figures, tables, Online (PDF 1000K)
http://www.nswombudsman.nsw.gov.au/publication/PDF/Other%20Reports/ Child_Protection_Register_Report.pdf

This review of the first two years of the operation of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act examines the extent to which the objectives of the legislation have been achieved in practice. The report examines: who is required to be on the child protection register; the practical operation of the processes used to notify persons of their registration and reporting obligations; the process of reporting by registered persons and the management and prosecution of people who have failed to comply with their reporting obligations; how police have used the information on the register, particularly to monitor the behaviour of high risk offenders. The effects of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Amendment Act 2004 are taken into account. The report makes recommendations that aim to improve the notification, registration and reporting processes, and increase the police use of information on the register.

Available from: NSW Ombudsman, Level 24, 580 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Internet http://www.nswombudsman.nsw.gov.au

Lambrick, Frank; Glaser, William.
Situational prevention and child sex offenders with an intellectual disability.
In: Wortley, R. and Smallbone, S. eds. Situational prevention of child sexual abuse. Monsey, NY, USA: Criminal Justice Press, 2006, p197-221, figure (Crime prevention studies no.19)

Historically, child sex offenders with an intellectual disability (ID sex offenders) have been viewed as more dangerous than other sex offenders because they are likely to be less responsive to behaviour modification treatment. A treatment approach developed at the Statewide Forensic Service at Fairfield in Victoria combines modified cognitive behavioural, skills based programs with environmental management of ID sex offenders. This chapter reports evidence of successful change in ID sex offenders through the Fairfield intervention program.

Leahy, Trisha; Pretty, Grace; Tenebaum, Gershon.
Perpetrator methodology as a predictor of traumatic symptomatology in adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence v.19 no.5 May 2004: 521-540, tables, figures

Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at very high risk of developing posttraumatic and dissociative symptomatology. This study uses quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the effect of different perpetrator relationships and methodology on the psychological outcomes of survivors. The paper suggests that levels of posttraumatic and dissociative symptomatology were significantly higher in cases where the perpetrator held a position of trust, guardianship or authority, and that perpetrator strategies involving emotional manipulation differ between groups with clinical or non clinical levels of posttraumatic and dissociative symptomatology.

Available from: Sage Publications

Mazerolle, Paul; Legosz, Margot; Miceski, Elena; Sanderson, Jennifer.
Repeat sexual victimisation among an offender sample: implications for pathways and prevention.
In: France, A. and Homel, R. eds. Pathways and crime prevention: theory, policy and practice. Cullompton, Devon, UK: Willan Publishing, 2007, p146-171

Using data from a study of adults serving non custodial sentences in Queensland, this chapter explores the effects of sexual victimisation on offenders. High levels of sexual victimisation were found among this group, particularly among women, and a high degree of continuity of victimisation from childhood to adulthood. After controlling for individual and lifestyle factors, the analysis shows that child sexual abuse directly affects the risk of adult sexual victimisation. This relationship is not mediated through alcohol and drug abuse and relationship problems, although these factors proved salient predictors of sexual victimisation. The major implications for prevention are discussed; that is, to reduce the incidence of childhood sexual victimisation and to address the mental health and lifestyle factors that increase the risk of re victimisation for adults.

Mazerolle, Paul; Legosz, Margot.
Breaking the cycle: a study of victimisation and violence in the lives of non-custodial offenders.
Brisbane, Qld: Crime and Misconduct Commission, 2007, 111p, Online (PDF 3.9MB)
http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/content/ 20003001186461304939.PDF

Little is known about offenders serving non custodial sentences. The Offending Persons Across the Lifecourse project shows, for the first time in Australia, the criminogenic risks of noncustodial offenders. It collected sensitive personal information through interviews with 480 female and male offenders serving intensive correction or probation orders under Queensland Corrective Services. The interviews gathered information about victimisation experiences, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, criminal activity, satisfaction with intimate relationships and involvement in correctional treatment programs. The study aimed to: assess the prevalence of various forms of child maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse and neglect; measure the prevalence of sexual and violent victimisation during adolescence and adulthood; examine the relationship between negative early life experiences and experiences and outcomes later in life; examine the treatment needs of respondents; and examine whether victimisation experiences and their consequences differ between male and female and Indigenous and non Indigenous offenders.

Available from: Crime and Misconduct Commission http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/

Oates, Kim.
Juvenile sex offenders.
Child Abuse & Neglect v.31 no.7 Jul 2007: 681-682

The reasons for inclusion of a paper by a former sex offender, Brian Oliver, in the same issue of the journal are explained in this article. The article sets out the three steps recommended in Oliver's paper for reducing juvenile sex offences: telling young people about to enter puberty that sexual relations with a young child is a crime and young children can never consent to sexual relations; telling young people about to enter puberty that they should seek help if they have recurring sexual thoughts about young children; and, that adults should be better educated about the warning signs that may be exhibited by adolescents at risk of sexual offending. The article highlights and discusses an important point in Oliver's paper: that a high percentage of sex offences against children are committed by young people under the age of 21. The article argues that since it is known that many adult sex offenders commence this behaviour when they are juveniles, there needs to be a greater research focus on the role of juveniles as child sex offenders, and on early detection and prevention in this population.

Available from: International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect http://www.ispcan.org

Parton, Felicity; Day, Andrew.
Empathy, intimacy, loneliness and locus of control in child sex offenders: a comparison between familial and non-familial child sexual offenders.
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse v.11 no.2 2002: 41-57, table

A South Australian study compared subgroups of child sex offenders on a range of relationship dimensions thought to be important in explaining offending. Familial and nonfamilial offenders were compared on measures of general empathy, intimacy and loneliness. The methodology, measures and findings are reported here. The article concludes with possible implications of the overall finding - the apparent lack of significant difference between familial and nonfamilial offenders - for service delivery, which often treats the subgroups differently.

Available from: Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton New York 13904-1580 USA. Internet http://www.haworthpressinc.com

Patterson, Andrew B.
Child pornography in an Australian context: the problem, the legislation and the offenders.
Australian Police Journal v.58 no.4 Dec 2004: 182-188, tables

The significance of child pornography to the wider area of child sexual abuse and exploitation is discussed in this article. It outlines the Australian legislation relating to the possession of child pornography and some critiques of the current legislative regime. The article then presents results of a Western Australian research study that examined facets of offenders convicted for possession of child pornography and which found a link between this type of offender and those who sexually abuse children.

Available from: Australian Police Journal, Locked Bag 5102, Parramatta NSW 2124. Email apj@apjl.com.au

Rayment-McHugh, S; Nisbet, I.
Sibling incest offenders as a subset of adolescent sexual offenders.
In: Conference papers: Child Sexual Abuse: Justice Response or Alternative Resolution Conference, Adelaide, May 2003. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003, 9p. Online only (46K)
http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/2003-abuse/nisbet.pdf

A growing body of literature on sibling incest offenders shows that harm caused by sibling sexual abuse parallels that inflicted by fathers and stepfathers and that sibling incest offenders typically perpetrate greater numbers of offence incidents, over a longer period of time than other adolescent sexual offenders. However, sexual assault by siblings is often viewed as somehow less serious than other forms of child sexual abuse. The authors compare a sample of sibling incest offenders with other adolescent sexual offenders referred to the Griffith Adolescent Forensic Assessment and Treatment Centre, Queensland. The comparison dimensions include demographic variables, offence dynamics, family and parenting environment, and psychological profile. Some significant differences between adolescent sibling incest offenders and non sibling offenders against children are revealed, with sibling incest offenders being assessed as having more risk factors for sexual offence recidivism.

Available from: Australian Institute of Criminology, GPO Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601. Email aicpress@aic.gov.au. Internet http://www.aic.gov.au

Schlunke, J.
The 'towers of silence' still stand: protecting the perpetrator.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy v.24 no.2 Jun 2003: 88-94

This paper explores the idea that professionals in the arena of child sexual abuse can be induced to respond irrationally, through their wish to protect child victims. I examine why child victims of serious sexual assault are treated as the alleged perpetrator should be. That is, when the family unit cannot give the child a safe environment, the child (not the alleged perpetrator) is removed. I argue for a systems focus, examining how each section of the protective industry: lawyers, CSV protective workers, therapists and consultants can contribute to perpetuating and sustaining child abuse. The article is written in a style that plays on the boundaries between academic article and fiction to heighten the effect of my case material. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy Association, PO Box 135, Moorebank NSW 1875. Email journalsubs@anzjft.com. Internet http://www.anzjft.com/

Skinner, R.
Paedophilia, serious sexual offenders and Ryan's case.
Law Institute Journal v.76 no.9 Oct 2002: 44-49

Child sexual abuse and the process of assessing an offender is an emotive issue. However, during the sentencing process, it is necessary for emotions to be put aside, and sympathy for the victim ought not to be allowed to influence the sentencing. The author argues that the potential for an emotive response to the sentencing of sexual offenders can result in an excess of punishment for them. Practitioners need to understand the current issues relating to sentencing in the courts of such offenders, and in this article the issue of the court's approach to the sentencing of paedophiles and sexual abusers of children is addressed in the case of Ryan, a Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to sexual offending against young boys who were in his care as a parish priest.

Available from: Law Institute of Victoria, GPO Box 263C, Melbourne Vic 3001. Email mpaskos@liv.asn.au. Internet http://www.liv.asn.au

Smallbone, Stephen W; McCabe, Billee-Anne.
Childhood attachment, childhood sexual abuse, and onset of masturbation among adult sexual offenders.
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment v.15 no.1 Jan 2003: 1-9

The research described in this article looked at autobiographies of incarcerated adult male sexual offenders as a retrospective self-report measure of their childhood attachment, experiences of sexual abuse as children, and onset of masturbation. Differences between rapists, intrafamilial child molesters and extrafamilial child molesters on these measures were also examined. Findings are discussed in terms of attachment and conditioning models, and the links between insecure childhood attachment, childhood sexual abuse, early masturbation and sexual offending.

Available from: Official Journal of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. Subscription: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, PO Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands

Smallbone, Stephen W; Wheaton, Julia; Hourigan, Donna.
Trait empathy and criminal versatility in sexual offenders.
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment v.15 no.1 Jan 2003: 49-60, tables

The research described in this article looked at associations between trait empathy and criminal versatility in incarcerated adult sexual offenders. Criminal versatility, measured by previous convictions for nonsexual offenses, was observed in 60% of the sample. Significant associations were found to exist between trait empathy and nonsexual offense convictions, but no association between trait empathy and sexual offense convictions was found. The authors suggest that the needs of criminally versatile and non-versatile sexual offenders should be distinguished in order to benefit developments in empathy training for sexual offenders.

Stephens, Marina.
The female web: professional perceptions about female sex offenders.
Central Coast Practice XChange no.1 Nov 2004: 48-51, Online (whole volume PDF 546KB)
http://www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/areas/ccahs/pdf/van/ Central_Coast_Practice_Xchange_Journal_2004.pdf

With the intention of putting female sex offending on the agenda, this paper presents an overview of preliminary results from a survey of the views of Central Coast professionals about female sex offenders. The paper provides a brief literature review on what is known about female sex offenders, a short description of the survey methodology, the research results, analysis and a discussion of relevant research in the field. The paper raises discussion about the link between a professional's conceptualisation of female perpetrated sexual abuse and its influence on the recognition and response to child sexual abuse disclosure. The paper seeks to challenge any silencing of victims' experiences that can occur through non discussion. It questions perceptions about perpetrators of child sexual abuse in professionals' discourses, child protection training and local and area policy documents that influence responses to victims and survivors of female perpetrated sexual abuse.

Available from: Northern Sydney Central Coast, NSW Health http://www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/

Sullivan, Danny H; Mullen, Paul E; Pathe, Michele T.
Legislation in Victoria on sexual offenders: issues for health professionals.
Medical Journal of Australia v.183 no.6 Sept 2005: 318-320, and Online
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_06_190905/sul10338_fm.html

New legislation passed in Victoria (the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005) extends the role of doctors in managing and treating sex offenders. This legislation is not based on a solid understanding of the research evidence on treatment of sex offenders or on their risk of reoffending. The legislation creates ethical and professional dilemmas for health professionals through the conflation of legal control of offenders with the medical management of disorders of sexual preference. There is a critical need for research and funding in this area rather than ever more oppressive laws, if governments are to be serious about treating sex offenders rather than simply incarcerating them. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Australasian Medical Publishing Company, Locked Bag 3030, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 Email medjaust@ampco.com.au Internet http://www.mja.com.au/

Tierney, David W; McCabe, Marita P.
The assessment of motivation for behaviour change among sex offenders against children: an investigation of the utility of the Stages of Change Questionnaire.
Journal of Sexual Aggression v.10 no.2 Aug 2004: 237-249, tables

A means of measuring motivation for behaviour change in sex offenders against children is considered important for the improvement of sex offender treatment programs. This paper reports the results of two studies that investigated the psychometric properties of the Stages of Change Questionnaire when adapted for use in measuring behaviour change in this context.

Toman, P.
Ethical issues in the treatment of child sex offenders: a tightrope walk over a precipice of paradox.
In: Conference papers: Child Sexual Abuse: Justice Response or Alternative Resolution Conference, Adelaide, May 2003. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003, 7p. Online only (PDF 37K)
http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/2003-abuse/toman.pdf

Some of the ethical issues in treating child sex offenders mandated into a treatment program are discussed in this paper. The author examines the philosophical position that it is necessary to adopt in order to provide such a program for offenders who resist treatment, and suggests a path that lies somewhere between confrontation and collusion with the offender. He highlights the absurdity of pretending to offer therapy in a value free environment, and raises the question of how to ensure that the underlying assumptions in the treatment methodology are consistent with the practice. He suggests a way of resolving the issues faced by psychologists working within the political process of punishment.

Available from: Australian Institute of Criminology, GPO Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601. Email aicpress@aic.gov.au. Internet http://www.aic.gov.au

Wood, Melisa; Ogloff, James R P.
Victoria's Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005: implications for the accuracy of sex offender risk assessment.
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law v.13 no.2 2006: 182-198

Victoria's new Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005 established a new regime whereby high risk child sex offenders can receive intensive long term supervision in the community post incarceration. This article reviews the nature and purpose of this new sex offender legislation, and discusses some of the theoretical, practical and clinical issues in forensic psychiatric and psychological research highlighted by its implementation. The sole focus of the legislation on child sexual offenders implies that these offences are more severe or more recidivistic than other sexual or violent crimes, a contention that is not wholly supported by the literature. Furthermore, research on many of the crimes specified under the Act is limited and many questions remain unanswered regarding our ability to predict sexual recidivism, particularly in legal contexts where the consequences of false predictions are so severe. (Journal abstract, edited)

Available from: Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, GPO Box 655E, Melbourne Vic 3001

Wright, S.
Managing unacceptable risk: the risk assessment and management of child sexual offenders.
In: Conference papers: Child Sexual Abuse: Justice Response or Alternative Resolution Conference, Adelaide, May 2003. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003, 10p, Online only (PDF 48K)
http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/2003-abuse/wright.pdf

The role of risk in the assessment and management of sexual offenders is discussed in this paper. The author presents a review of research relating to: the predictors of sexual reoffending, including static and dynamic predictors; predominant approaches to risk assessment of sexual offenders; the role of risk management strategies, chiefly psychological intervention programs, in managing the risk posed by sexual offenders; the efficacy of intervention programs in managing risk; and the inherent problems posed by a risk based focus to the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders.

Available from: Australian Institute of Criminology, GPO Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601. Email aicpress@aic.gov.au. Internet http://www.aic.gov.au

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