Policing Sex Crimes offers an overview of the affordances and difficulties of investigating and responding to sex crimes in contemporary digital society. The simplest to most complex sex crimes investigations can (and often do) have a digital component. Such a digital society creates a number of inter- and intra-organizational challenges in terms of investigation of sex offenses and response to victims of sex crimes. In the proposed text, the authors elucidate laws defining sex crimes across international contexts and examine the different ways nation states have responded to digital sex crimes and related digital communication technologies via laws, policies, and practices. They draw on 70 interviews with sex crime investigators to document the effects of digital sex crimes on the policing profession and the broader police organizations that sex crime investigators work. Lastly, they explore how victims are interpreted by police officers and the challenges they face achieving justice in the wake of sexual victimization.

Sexual offending has become a mainstay item of reporting in our daily newspapers, and television news bulletins. This book offers an account of the policing of sexual offences and the difficulties that confront the police in the investigation of these intrusive crimes. It surveys the breath of sexual offences and examines the reporting of sexual crime and the attrition level that follows. It proceeds by critically assessing the efforts the police are making to overcome these difficulties and the degree to which they are making progress. The book outlines the relatively new police role of policing the convicted sex offenders themselves, who are living in the community and are subject to risk 'management' by the police and the requirements of the sex offender register held by the police. Written by a leading expert, this timely book will be of great interest to scholars of sexual offending and criminal justice.

Sex Crimes and Sex Offenders: Research and Realities provides an overview of social scientific theory and research on sex crimes and sex offenders. Most other books on the market are focused on a single issue—such as treatment, rape, pedophilia, theory, etc. This book is unique in that it covers the most current theory and research along with individual cases of sex crimes (e.g., Kobe Bryant, Jerry Sandusky, and other case studies), effectively linking theory and research with the realities of sex crimes and sex offenders as well as their victims. Vandiver, Braithwaite, and Stafford are careful to dispel myths and to focus on the heterogeneity of sex crimes and sex offenders, and not on any one issue or population or theory. Instead, they weave a framework using a full range of theoretical concepts and research data to integrate their discussions of crimes, offenders, victims, treatments, and policy implications. The result is a valuable resource for students and early-stage researchers investigating sex crimes or offenders.

Sex Crime, Third edition offers a comprehensive and integrative introduction to sex crime, written by an expert in the field. The third edition has been fully expanded and updated to include further coverage of a range of critical topics, including child sexual exploitation, child pornography, female sex offenders, treatment approaches such as the ‘Good Lives Model’ and the European Convention on Human Rights. Delving into and beyond the news headlines about sexual crimes that seem to appear on our screens and in our newspapers almost every day, this third edition draws on a range of high profile case studies, such as Vanessa George, Stuart Hall, Jimmy Savile and Operation Yewtree and also offers a review of all relevant legislation. This new edition also includes an analysis of possible causes of sex offending, as well as public and professional responses to sex crime. Including an examination of the policing of sexual crime; the prosecution of the accused; the sentencing and punishment of sexual offenders; and ‘public protection’ measures, this new edition covers all of the key aspects of sex crime and how it is dealt with. Wide-ranging and authoritative, Sex Crime, Third edition presents a complex area in a straightforward and understandable manner. Thomas guides the reader through the range of policies and law which have accumulated over the years, making this essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of sex crime, sexual violence and the treatment of sex offenders. It will also be of great interest to criminal justice practitioners.

Sex Crimes: Research and Realities, 2nd edition, provides succinct overviews and details of the research regarding sex crimes and the persons who commit them, dispelling common myths related to sex crimes that have been contradicted in the scientific literature in recent decades. Throughout the book, survivors of sexual violence are highlighted, including those who have engaged in activism leading to positive changes for victims of sexual violence or came forward with their stories of sexual victimization despite being told "nothing can be done." The book begins with a broad overview of the number and types of sex crimes that occur annually, then outlines several theories developed to explain sex crimes specifically, along with descriptions of popular criminological theories that have been applied to persons who have committed a sex crime. The next several chapters provide details regarding different types ofsex crimes. Subsequently, the authors provide an overview of juveniles and females who commitsex crimes, and of sex crimes that occur within an institution, such as college campuses and sports or youth organizations. New to this edition is a chapter that focuses on victims of sex crimes and the victimology of sexual violence. Attention is given to the nuances of investigating sex crimes and policies (such as registration and civil commitment laws) affecting persons who have committed a sex crime. The conclusion provides an overview of the myths regarding sex crimes and the persons who commit them, again with a summary of what research has unveiled while highlighting areas of recommended future research. This book is suitable for an undergraduate or graduate-level course for a variety of social science fields. It is invaluable for treatment providers, law enforcement officers, detectives, or policy makers.

For decades, and in some cases centuries, individuals, families, and friends of victims sought out ways to help heal the hurts caused by sexual abuse and implement some way to protect against future harms. The recent very public conversations about victims standing up to perpetrators has expanded the reach and public platform of sexual violence prevention efforts in critical ways. What might appear a relatively simple task on the surface, to define “healthy” and “harmful” sexual practices, inevitably raises even more questions. When the questions and answers are framed and defined through historical, cultural, social, and individual lenses, solutions may seldom be simple. Structured in five parts, Sex Crimes and Offenders: Exploring Questions of Character and Culture uses healthy sexuality as a back drop for exploring the complicated issue of identifying and punishing sex crimes, defining the parameters of sexualized violence, and sexual violence prevention. The goal is to prevent harm, address hurts, hold perpetrators accountable, and eventually eliminate – to the degree possible—all future harms. The information presented explores individual treatment efforts, as well as the social and political responses designed to hold perpetrators accountable and help support victims. Essential resources made visible throughout this text are provided to help inform young people, families, faith communities and future practitioners, to raise important reflective questions, and to serve as a resource for anyone of any age who has suffered harm, or perpetrated harm, and is in need of support and healing. Finally, the book concludes by shining a light on the efforts each of us can take to identify, reduce, and work toward eliminating sexual violence and harms. Additional resources for Instructors, including PowerPoint Lecture Notes and Test Banks, are provided.

The policing of rape is in permacrisis. This book addresses the question of why police investigations continue to fail most rape victim-survivors and puts forward a framework for what policing can do to change this. Low conviction rates and poor victim-survivor experiences are the hallmarks of the rape justice gap. Three decades of research, policy, and legal changes have tweaked rape investigations to alleviate some of their ills; however, for the majority of victim-survivors, the process remains gruelling. Police forces are notoriously resistant to reform, even in the face of rapidly declining public trust. The starting point of this book is the recognition that if we want profound change in policing, we must try something new. To do so, the authors move from asking "What is it about rape that makes it so difficult for police to investigate it well?" to asking "What is it about the police that makes it so difficult for police to investigate rape well?". Policing Rape sets out a practice-oriented theoretical framework for radically and sustainably transforming rape investigations, rape prevention, and the quality of officer engagement with victim-survivors. The authors reflect on the journey of putting this framework into practice within Operation Soteria Bluestone as a step on the path towards a radical transformation of rape policing. This book is essential reading for all those looking to understand and improve the policing of rape.

Assessing Risk in Sex Offenders: A Practitioner's Guide is a handy resource for forensic practitioners responsible for assessing an managing sexual offenders at risk of recidivism. It covers the risk factors associated with sexual recidivism, evaluates risk assessment approaches and offers guidance on how to conduct forensic evaluations. Written by an expert author team, Assessing risk in Sex Offenders: A Practitioner's Guide examines: The characteristics of sexual offenders Methodological considerations in measuring predictive accuracy Static and dynamic factors Structured risk assessments Treatment of sexual offenders Policy and practices Assessing Risk in Sex Offenders: A Practitioner's Guide is an essential resource for clinical and forensic psychologists, forensic psychiatrists, undergraduate and postgraduate students in forensic and clinical psychology, and prison and probation officers.

The Oxford Handbook on Sex Offenses and Sex Offenders provides comprehensive, even-handed analysis of the myriad of topics related to sex offenses, including pornography, sex trafficking, criminal justice responses, and the role of social media in sex crimes. Extending beyond the existing scholarly research on the topic, this volume teases out the key debates, controversies, and challenges involved in addressing sex crimes.