There is considerable responsibility on the clinician to identify sex offenders who may potentially commit more serious sexually violent behaviour and an increased demand for evidence based risk assessments (Macpherson, 1997; Thomas-Peter and Warren, 1998). Offenders who commit non-contact sexual crimes are traditionally classified as harmless despite the significant minority who escalate in offence severity towards more violent sexual offending. Forty convicted male sex offenders were classified as non-contact or contact sexual recidivists. Non-contact recidivists had a history of non-contact sexual offending on two or more occasions. Contact recidivists had a history of noncontact offending and had recidivated with a contact sexual offence. Groups were compared on the Sexual Violence Risk-20 (SVR-20: Boer et al. 1997) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL: SV: Hart et al. 1995). Psychosexual variables, criminal history and clinical risk factors were also coded using a multi-variable assessment model. A retrospective-prospective comparison successfully used by Quinsey et al. (1995) was performed between non-contact and contact recidivist groups. Factors that discriminated between non-contact recidivists and contact recidivists were primarily historical in nature, reflecting fixed or relatively stable characteristics. Significant differences between non-contact recidivists and contact recidivists were observed on total PCL: SV scores and psychosocial factors of the SVR-20 including sexual deviation, a history of childhood victimisation and past nonviolent offences. Contact recidivists were significantly younger than non-contact recidivists at first non-sexual offence and were significantly more likely to have a history of homosexual offending. A high level of interrater reliability on the SVR-20 and PCL: SV was observed. Suggested revisions to several iten1s of the SVR-20 and methodological considerations are reported. The research demonstrates that a progressive pattern of sexual offending from noncontact sexual offending to contact sexual offending is reliably associated with a combination of risk factors. The study offers the potential for early detection of a more serious escalation in sexual offending to allow for the possibility of supervision and clinical risk management.

Sexual assault has been in existence since the dawn of civilization with its negative impact on the physical and psychological being of women. However, little has been done to formally explore and describe experiences of sexually assaulted women in the North West Province. This study described and explored the experiences of sexually assaulted women in the North West Province. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive design was used to describe the experiences of sexually assaulted women. Participants were purposively selected and 18 women participated in this study. Participants' ages ranged from 18-55 and all these women reported at the Thuthuzela Care Centre. Individual in-depth interviews and field notes were used to collect data. Conversations were audio taped while field notes were documented by the researcher. The purpose of the study was to use findings to make some recommendations that will provide individual support to women who are sexually assaulted. It was apparent from the findings that all victims interviewed experienced physical, social and psychological/ emotional trauma resulting from sexual assault. Dissatisfaction with the services provided by the police was also displayed. Victims indicated their need for support post sexual assault. The study recommended the development of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that will support victims from trauma until trial. Development of an inter-professional Education (IPE) curriculum in universities aiming at producing sensitized, empathetic, non-blaming and non judgmental attitude by professionals involved in management of sexual assault is also recommended. The approach is hoped to enhance an understanding of each team member's role in dealing with victims of Sexual Assault. / Thesis (M.Cur) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012

Bakgrund   Sexuellt våld är ett utbrett folkhälsoproblem som drabbar kvinnor över hela världen. Det sexuella våldet kan komma att påverka kvinnors fysiska och psykiska hälsa livet ut. I vården sker möten ständigt och för hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal ingår det i den professionella hållningen att oavsett omständigheter främja ett gott bemötande gentemot patienten. Hälso- och sjukvården har ett stort ansvar i mötet med sexuellt våldsutsatta kvinnor, då mötet kan komma att påverka kvinnans möjligheter till stöd, återhämtning och tillit till vården. Syfte  Syftet med studien var att beskriva sexuellt våldsutsatta kvinnors upplevelser och erfarenheter av mötet med hälso- och sjukvården. Metod  En icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt genomfördes och resulterade i 15 vetenskapliga artiklar av kvalitativ och kvantitativ design. Artiklarna togs fram med hjälp av databaserna CINAHL och PubMed samt via manuella sökningar. De valda artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades med hjälp av Sophiahemmet Högskolas bedömningsunderlag och analyserades med hjälp av integrerad analys.  Resultat Resultatet visade att positiva upplevelser och erfarenheter präglades av god kommunikation som genomsyrades av empati, respektfullhet och lyhördhet. I sin tur präglades negativa upplevelser och erfarenheter av okunskap hos personalen, dömande attityder och väntetid. Likaså lyftes lugn och avskild vårdmiljö, möjlighet att välja personal samt tillräcklig uppföljning och stöd som faktorer som saknades i mötet.  Slutsats Sexuellt våldsutsatta kvinnor hade både positiva och negativa upplevelser och erfarenheter av hälso- och sjukvården och flera aspekter saknades i mötet. Med hjälp av ökad kunskap om kvinnors utsatthet och förbättrad förståelse för sexuellt våldsutsatta kvinnors upplevelser och erfarenheter kan nya riktlinjer kring omhändertagandet utformas och därmed förbättra vården och lindra lidande. / Background Sexual violence is a widespread public health problem affecting women around the world. Sexual violence may affect women's physical and mental health throughout life. In healthcare encounters occur regularly and for personnel within healthcare, it is part of the professional attitude to promote a rewarding treatment to the patient, regardless of the circumstances. Health services have a great responsibility in the encounter with sexually abused women, as the encounter may affect the woman's opportunities for support, recovery and trust for healthcare. Aim The purpose of this study was to describe sexually abused women’s experience of their encounter with healthcare. Method A non-systematic literature review was conducted and resulted in 15 scientific articles of both qualitative and quantitative design. The articles were retrieved from the databases CINAHL, PubMed and through manual searches. The included articles were reviewed using Sophiahemmet University’s template for quality assessment and the results were analyzed with a thematic analysis approach. Results The results showed that positive experiences were characterized by good communication based on empathy, respect and sensitivity. In contrast, negative experiences were characterized by ignorance among the staff, judgmental attitudes and waiting time. Likewise, a calm and secluded care environment, the freedom to choose staff and sufficient support and follow-up were highlighted as factors that were lacking in the encounter. Conclusions Sexually abused women had both positive and negative experiences of health care, and several aspects were missing in the encounter. With the help of increased knowledge about women's vulnerability and an improved understanding of sexually abused women experiences, new guidelines regarding care can be developed, and thereby improve care and alleviate suffering.

Over the past twenty years there has been growing recognition that young people who have sexually harmed should not simply be treated as younger versions of adult sex offenders. Changes in terminology and recommended treatment reflect the fact that these young people are still developing and have a range of strengths and needs including harmful sexual behaviour. In acknowledging the harm caused by sexual abuse to victims it is also important to see that many young perpetrators have also been victims of abuse, domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Practitioners and Government reports have asserted that work with these young people should be holistic, but this word ‘holistic’ is used with a range of meanings and emphases. This study identifies broadly accepted meanings of working holistically with young people who have sexually harmed and presents associated benefits, challenges and implications for practice. The study used a mixed methods approach, utilising an initial breadth survey of practitioners across England and Wales before focusing in on a depth study based in one city Youth Offending Team. Key themes from the breadth survey were tested during the fieldwork placement with observations and interviews with professionals within the team and external therapists, social workers and residential staff. Additional interviews included contributions from volunteer panel members, young people and a parent. Grounded theory analysis led to the identification of four main themes of holistic work: seeing the whole young person; working with wider family and peers; working in a multiagency way and using a range of creative methods. Findings are discussed in relation to ‘what works’ and ‘evidence based practice’. Each of these areas contributes benefits and challenges to the work and leads to implications for practice. The study concludes with recommendations for practitioners and policy-makers to make work more holistic and effective.

This study aims to examine the trajectory of sex offenders through the Lebanese criminal justice system while highlighting various human rights violations. It attempts to fill in the gaps within the literature through building on the existing research and by examining the processes and experiences of arrest, detention, court, prison and release. Recently, numerous scholars have argued that most criminal justice systems are following a popular punitive trend rather than focusing on rehabilitation. This study through its focus on human rights violations, participants attitudes and beliefs as well as issues of rehabilitation and treatment of prisoners firmly places Lebanon within the global trend of popular punitiveness. Seventy-three interviews were carried out with sex offenders, police officers, prison guards, judges and lawyers within Lebanon. These qualitative interviews captured criminal justice professionals and offenders experiences, attitudes and perceptions surrounding sex offending and the criminal justice system. The thematic analysis of the interviews specifically focused on uncovering how sex offenders moved through and were dealt with by the Lebanese criminal justice system. Human rights violations were found to be abundant at the various stages of the criminal justice system. Participants highlighted events such as the excessive use of torture within police stations as well as prisons, the use of forced confessions, and the lack of legal representation. Numerous factors were found to play a role in conceding the copious violations of sex offenders rights occurring at the various stages of the criminal justice system. These factors included corruption, the lack of accountability, police culture, the commonly held belief that offenders are undeserving of human rights, the lack of training, and religion. In investigating the structure and the functioning of the criminal justice system, it became evident that religion played a vital role. Religion dictated professionals positions within the criminal justice system and influenced participants beliefs and attitudes surrounding sex offenders. Because of its influence, religion played a vital role in paving the way for the re-occurrence of human right violations. For example, religion granted the criminalisation of homosexuality and the act of de-virginizing as well as legalising marital rape, all of which result in human rights violations. In order to move Lebanon, and other punitive countries, towards a more rehabilitative criminal justice approach, this study highlights the importance of training, change in legislation, as well as the separation of religion from law.