Sex offender recidivism: a reappraisal

There have been major shifts in the perception of sex offender recidivism over the past thirty years. There has been increased interest in both the public and professional spheres. However, the discourses of the public and the professionals are becoming increasingly discrepant. The media are pivotal in demonizing all sex offenders and focusing on punitiveness. Media myths have developed which mask professional advances. This paper focuses on recidivism rates, prediction and risk, the effectiveness of clinical treatment and other interventions, and a consideration of policy. The behavioural sciences currently tend to dominate. A paradigm shift is proposed whereby system changes are more fully recognized and processual questions are addressed. Further, a study of history reminds that only a minority of sex offenders are really dangerous. Nevertheless, sex offending is a pervasive problem and criminal justice solutions alone will not be enough. Indeed, current policies to prevent or address sexual offending have largely failed. Social justice solutions with compassion as an ingredient need to be brought more to the fore.