There is growing recognition that sexual offending is a multi-determined phenomenon requiring a multi-disciplinary perspective. The significant contribution of psychology and psychiatry, but also sociology, gender studies and anthropology to the study of sex offending and perpetrators of sex offenses has played a key role in the development of a distinct field of research. In recent years, however, there has been an increase in criminological research on the topic, introducing criminological theory and concepts, scientific evidence and observations, and new methodologies to the field.

This book brings together international leading scholars to consider key topics on sex offending and, where possible, compare and contrast criminological viewpoints with those of other disciplines, such as psychology and psychiatry. This book considers the following questions:

• Are the key explanatory factors of sex offenses completely distinct and different from those of non-sex crime and delinquency?
• Are current models explaining adult sex offending also applicable to explain sex crimes on college campuses, female sex offending, sexual exploitation, sexual homicide, or child luring over the internet?
• Are today's youth involved in sex offenses tomorrow's adult perpetrators of sex crimes?
• What is the risk of sexual recidivism and are risk assessment tools effective to identify individuals at-risk of committing another sex crime in the future?
• Are current legal measures used to prevent sex crimes effective? What are the known effects of such measures?
• What are the issues and challenges related to the criminal investigation of sex offenses?

This book is essential reading for students and researchers from disciplines such as criminology, psychiatry, psychology, sexology, social work and sociology, as well as criminal justice professionals and practitioners such as police investigators, prosecutors, judges, probation/parole officers, and treatment providers/counsellors involved with individuals having perpetrated sex offenses.

About the Author

Patrick Lussier is a Professor of Criminology at the School of Social Work and Criminology at the Universite Laval, in Quebec City, Canada.

Eric Beauregard is a Professor in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University, Canada.

Reviews

"Sexual Offending: A Criminological Approach is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary examination of an important social problem. Patrick Lussier and Eric Beauregard have compiled evidence-based criminological research on sex offenders and official responses to sex crime. Their volume is practical, policy relevant, and a valuable resource for those concerned with this challenging subject."

- D. Kim Rossmo, University Endowed Chair in Criminology and the Director of the Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation in the the Department of Criminal Justice, Texas State University, USA

"Lussier and Beauregard have done a tremendous service to our understanding of sexual offending in this edited volume, drawing together leading scholars working at the interface between psychology and criminology. As they describe in their introduction, our understanding of sexual offending -- and how it has both general and specific crime components -- can tremendously benefit from greater consilience across disciplines. This understanding can in turn better inform our efforts to prevent sexual offending. After a first section establishing theoretical frameworks, the second section discusses criminological contributions to specific topics such as sexual trafficking, sexual offending by adolescents or by women (most sexual offenses are committed by men), and online offending. The third section then talks about applications, and how our understanding can be translated to public policy and practice. I enthusiastically recommend this book."

- Michael Seto, Ph.D., C.Psych., Director of the Forensic Research Unit at The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research and Director of Forensic Rehabilitation Research at Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Carleton University and University of Ottawa and Editor-in-Chief of Sexual Abuse

"This is a courageous book that challenges many myths around sexual offending and our understanding of perpetrators of sexual abuse. There is much to be commended and the wide range of subjects and topics covered in the book will be of interest and value to professionals and practitioners working in the area of sexual abuse, academics, researchers, students, and criminal justice officials. Even though it is a criminological text, it will be of interest to other fields like psychology, psychiatry, social work, and sociology."

- Riana Taylor, CEO, Circles UK, The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice

Book Information
ISBN 9781138697041
Author Patrick Lussier
Format Paperback
Page Count 410
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 635g