Despite the widespread use and application of Finkelhor’s model, it is still plagued with its own limitations. The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (2010), pointed out a limitation of the model, describing it has being essentially a descriptive framework which incorporates a range of dissonant theories and observed clinical data. Also suggesting that Finkelhor’s model would have to be tested empirically before it can be classified as a theory, particularly in its application to treatment and prevention. They also pointed out, however, that the model does relay a comprehensive, multi causal, hierarchical model possessing both psychological and sociological explanatory power for understanding why and how sexual abuse occurs, unlike some other theoretical approaches. Ward & Hudson (2001) also criticised the model stating that Finkelhor’s model should be portrayed simply as a theoretical framework rather than an applicable theory, suggesting that his model is neutral of theory (see Howells, 1994). It can gathered, therefore that Ward & Hudson perceive Finkelhol’s model outlines the direction a theory should lean towards, rather than proposing a theory in itself. Another limitation is its lack of explanation for the contribution of developmental factors to onset of offending and for the manifestation of emotional congruence and blockage in a sexual manner (Ward et al, 2006). Finkelhol’s preconditioning model adopts an assumption that all men who offend against children do so as a result of a breakdown in their capacity for self-control and self-regulation and that they need to break down personal inhibitions (Bartlett & McGauley, 2009). According to Finkelhor, child sexual abuse cannot occur without the set preconditions be... ... middle of paper ... ...te antisocial cognitions, and could be described instead as embracing an alternative sexuality. Ward and Siegert’s model provides an in-depth explanation of potential factors that could lead to child sexual abuse; it however fails to address reasons why child molestation perseveres. There seems to be an overlap within the concepts of all five pathways and levels of intensity, thus making it difficult to analyse data that reveals its deficits, thus creating a complication in the process of designating specific pathways to differing offenders (Connolly, 2004). Ward and Siegert also suggested that child molesters are predominantly males, due to a higher level of sex drive and higher levels of the urge to engage in impersonal sex (Ward, Laws, & Hudson, 2003). Their work is based on the males and fails to explain why females’ offenders sexually offend against children.
Offenders are able to identify weaknesses in a child’s personality or life circumstances and then exploit them. There can be many different characteristics a Child Molester or Pedophile uses for their selection process. The characteristics are the foll...
Holmes, R. M., & Holmes, S. T. (2009).Sex crimes: patterns and behavior (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks,Calif.:SagePublications.
The vast amount of research has provided several explanations to account for the behavior of the offenders and the low rate in which sexual assault cases initiate criminal proceedings through a variety of theoretical perspectives. These include the classical approaches that focus on the individual who has committed sexual assault and the positivist approaches that aim to explain the social factors that influence the prosecution rates th...
Many etiological theories exist attempting to explain the root causes of sexual offending. Although few provide substantial evidence and no definitive conclusions have been made, the social learning theory has been proposed to account for sex offending behaviors. Specifically, the social learning theory, or victim-to-victimizer theory, suggests sexually abused children learn these behaviors and are much more likely to perpetrate abuse when they’re older (Seto & Lalumiere, 2010). The following studies have provided substantial support for the social learning etiology. Through the use of a meta-analysis, Seto and Lalumiere (2010) concluded that sexual offending is tied to prior sexual abuse. Burton, Miller, and Shill (2002) discovered significant differences between sexual offending and nonsexual offending adolescents in the areas of sexual abuse. Lastly, Burton (2003) determined that sex offender’s methods of abuse mimicked that which was done to them. The introduction, method, results, and discussion of each study is addressed and the link between prior sexual abuse and future sex offending behaviors become apparent.
According to RAINN, (2009) approximately 10 per cent of all victims of sexual assault and abuse are adult and juvenile males. In terms of the nature of assault, real figures include a compendium of reported incidents ranging from unwanted sexual touching to forced penetration. To qualify this statement, it must be understood that the percentage does not reflect a vast number of crimes that go unreported due to issues that will be discussed in the present paper.
Generally, the public views women as nurturers, motherly and incapable of harming a child. Research indicates that female sex offenders capable of committing such acts have serious psychiatric and psychological problems. In comparison, research indicates male sex offenders are more callous, more antisocial, and promiscuous, involved in the criminal justice system, and have more victims (Miccio-Fenseca, 2012, slide 7). The consensus is that men commit their acts for sexual pleasure while women commit their acts due to psychiatric and psychological problems. Law enforcement, juries, and judges tend to empathize more when there are additional mitigating factors, such as emotional or psychological problems.
It is also noteworthy that this is not limited to child sex offenders. Many adults that are arrested as sex offenders were involved with people they knew or had seduced; instead of the stereotypical brute that forces his or herself on their victim. No matter the methods employed in committing the crimes that they do, there is still the question, what drives a sex
Sex offenders come across every race, age, gender, socio-economic status, and mental health status (CSG, n.d.). According to CSOM (n.d.) many scholars do not take into consideration the age, gender and socio-economic status as far as the criminal behavior itself, however many scholars look at factors that may have caused these sexual deviant behaviors. These theories or factors are attachment, sociocultural, intimacy, behavioral, and biological (CSOM, n.d.). It is also worthy to note, that the difference between juveniles and adult are there recidivism rate. According to CSOM (n.d.), juveniles are more likely to reoffend than adult sex
This essay will explore reasons why females such as Vanessa George turn to the crime of sex offending. Demonstrating my knowledge and understanding of classical criminological theory, exploring biological theories such as penis envy and more contemporary views such as liberation theory within feminism. The essay will then go on to look at the inequalities female sex offenders face within the criminal justice system in comparison with males, using chivalry theory and evil woman theory to explain this.
Sex offenders have been a serious problem for our legal system at all levels, not to mention those who have been their victims. There are 43,000 inmates in prison for sexual offenses while each year in this country over 510,000 children are sexually assaulted(Oakes 99). The latter statistic, in its context, does not convey the severity of the situation. Each year 510,000 children have their childhood's destroyed, possibly on more than one occasion, and are faced with dealing with the assault for the rest of their lives. Sadly, many of those assaults are perpetrated by people who have already been through the correctional system only to victimize again. Sex offenders, as a class of criminals, are nine times more likely to repeat their crimes(Oakes 99). This presents a
In summary, biological, social, cognitive and psychological traits can all play a fundamental role in an offenders actions towards sexual offending. Aetiology is also an important factor, as it can be one of the main causes for preventing sex offences by understanding what initially causes the behaviour. Although, prevention methods of social and behavioural sciences can be complex, previous research has enabled many forms of theories (Abel et al, 1984; Finkelhor, 1984; Caner et al, 1998 and Seto, 2008) produced that have all provided extensive research that has been implemented and adapted to modern society to enable a significant understanding into offender’s behavioural actions, this research has also been very important, not only for prevention, but for the treatment that can be offered to offenders which can reduce the rates of sexual offending, by requiring to the needs of those who commit crimes. In contrast to this, if cognitive theories can be a potential explanation for sexual deviance, treatment can also address issues evolving the decision making processes and attitudes as primary areas for treatment. In addition to this, if it is likely that an individual will commit a crime based on personality characteristics, research will be able to identify factors such as, which trait is most evident for someone who develops sexually deviant interests, the severity of the personality trait and whether age can also contribute to offending patterns.
Child sexual abuse is defined as “the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared, or else that violates the laws or social taboos of society” (Ajduković, Sušac, and Rajter 470). In Bastard out of Carolina, Ruth Ann “Bone” Boatwright started experiencing sexual child abuse from her stepfather at the age of twelve, which changed aspects of her life forever. Coincidentally, it was proven through research that young girls between the ages of 13 and 16 suffered sexual abuse by adult men that they knew previously (Ajduković, Sušac, and Rajter 475). While it could be a family member, an acquaintance, or a friend, the feelings of betrayal remain the same.
Interestingly, one case study in my documents included an offence against a child; however, I recognised that the majority of individuals in these cases assumed that all sex offenders are paedophiles. Nonetheless, this common misjudgement could potentially explain negative attitudes and societal isolation as in the study males and females indicated that the offender that committed an offence against a 10-year-old was more deviant, isolated, less capable of change and more deserving or imprisonment compared to offences against 15 and 20-year-olds (Rogers, et al., 2011). These attitudes also arise in prison, with child sex offenders being shunned by other sex offenders, resulting in hierarchal differences (Anon., 2015), as reinstated by Wolff et al (2007). Thus, if there is a widespread assumption that they have assaulted a child, which evidently holds an extremely negative stigma, all sex offenders irrespective of what their crime is could receive the same
When someone is young they are unaware of some of their decisions and are unaware of the things that will scar them for the rest of their lives. In the article by Margo Kaplan, she discusses what pedophilia actually is, the laws that are currently in place, and how a child’s wellbeing is at risk. This article is highly credible considering that the author is a well-known researcher in the field of criminal law with a concentration in sexual crimes. Pedophilia’s recursive nature is to perform harmful acts to children; while pedophiles can put a child in the physical harm they are also prone to psychological harm (Kaplan 43). Kids are the main victims of these heinous acts, but there is no precaution to those that cause the harm resulting in them hurting more children than necessary in the process. While the following article is not that credible seeing that there is no clear citing from where they acquired their research, they were able to assemble a valid point about pedophiles going against a kid’s desire (Duke 5). According to the author, Judith Levine, in the same article, parents have the proper say about whether a child is being molested or not. While this relates to the previous article by Kaplan, it does so in the nature that puts the
It is most important to understand that children and teens of all racial, religious, ethnic, gender and age groups, at all socio-economic levels are sexually abused. Although there are risk factors that may increase the possibility of sexual abuse, sex abuse can be found in all types of families, communities, and cultures (The Scope of, 2016). Childhood sexual abuse is an important issue to address because the impact of sexual does not end when the abuse ends. Childhood trauma follows into adulthood and can have long-range effects. “Survivors of sexual abuse are at significantly greater risks for severe and chronic mental health issues, including alcoholism, depression, anxiety, PTSD and high risk behaviors” (The Scope Of, 2016). Victims may experience traumatic sexualization, or the shaping of their sexuality in “developmentally inappropriate” and “interpersonally dysfunctional” ways (Effects of Child, 2012). “A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal” (Effects of Child, 2012). Overall, the effects and impact of childhood sexual abuse are long lasting and do not diminish when the abuse ends, their childhood trauma follows them into