This paper will review literature regarding the relationship between sex offenders and intellectual and developmental disabilities. It will also look into the background of sex offenders with these disabilities in particular and what characteristics make up this group of individuals. Possible treatments and interventions for sex offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities will also be discussed. This topic is impertinent to research as to make sure sex offenders with intellectual disabilities get the proper help they need and are not overlooked by the justice system. I found this subject to be of interest to research after hearing about a case involving a sex offender who was unknowingly coerced into committing a rape crime by
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Another study by Day (1994) found that in a significant percentage of cases, childhood development was characterized by multiple family pathology, gross marital disharmony, parental separation, violence, neglect and poor parental control. In both cases, these researchers found that their clients with ID had histories of poor social adjustment and relationship problems. However, both of their reports involved single samples of sex offenders with ID without any comparisons to control. A study by Steptoe, Lindsay, Forrest, & Power (2006) was made to look further into this and investigate the perceived quality of life and relationships of sex offenders in comparison to an appropriate control group. Two groups were chosen sequentially from referral lists and participated only once all other case-relevant assessments had been completed and treatment commenced. Group 1 consisted of 28 male sex offenders with ID recruited from an ID forensic service. Group 2, the control group, consisted of 28 male non-offenders with ID, screened for criminal history, from an ID outpatient service (Steptoe, Lindsay, Forrest, & Power, 2006). Between the two groups, no significant differences in age or IQ were present. Two scales were …show more content…
1998). However, historically sex offenders with intellectual disabilities have been excluded from these treatment programs and have often been given pharmacological and behavioral interventions instead (Lindsay 2002). Only till more recently with the development of the Sex Offender Treatment Services Collaborative – Intellectual Disability (SOTSEC-ID) and adaptive cognitive-behavioral treatments (Rose et al. 2002; Lindsay 2009) has empathy training become more incorporated into the treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID). Marshall et al. (1995) noted that sex offender’s empathy deficits might be victim or group specific, rather than a general deficit. A recent study by Hockley & Langdon (2015) aimed to compare the general empathy abilities of men with intellectual disabilities (ID) who had a history of sexual offending to men with IDs who had no known history of illegal behavior; and to determine whether men with IDs who had a history of sexual offending had different levels of specific victim empathy towards their own victim, in
Another study by Day (1994) found that in a significant percentage of cases, childhood development was characterized by multiple family pathology, gross marital disharmony, parental separation, violence, neglect and poor parental control. In both cases, these researchers found that their clients with ID had histories of poor social adjustment and relationship problems. However, both of their reports involved single samples of sex offenders with ID without any comparisons to control. A study by Steptoe, Lindsay, Forrest, & Power (2006) was made to look further into this and investigate the perceived quality of life and relationships of sex offenders in comparison to an appropriate control group. Two groups were chosen sequentially from referral lists and participated only once all other case-relevant assessments had been completed and treatment commenced. Group 1 consisted of 28 male sex offenders with ID recruited from an ID forensic service. Group 2, the control group, consisted of 28 male non-offenders with ID, screened for criminal history, from an ID outpatient service (Steptoe, Lindsay, Forrest, & Power, 2006). Between the two groups, no significant differences in age or IQ were present. Two scales were …show more content…
1998). However, historically sex offenders with intellectual disabilities have been excluded from these treatment programs and have often been given pharmacological and behavioral interventions instead (Lindsay 2002). Only till more recently with the development of the Sex Offender Treatment Services Collaborative – Intellectual Disability (SOTSEC-ID) and adaptive cognitive-behavioral treatments (Rose et al. 2002; Lindsay 2009) has empathy training become more incorporated into the treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID). Marshall et al. (1995) noted that sex offender’s empathy deficits might be victim or group specific, rather than a general deficit. A recent study by Hockley & Langdon (2015) aimed to compare the general empathy abilities of men with intellectual disabilities (ID) who had a history of sexual offending to men with IDs who had no known history of illegal behavior; and to determine whether men with IDs who had a history of sexual offending had different levels of specific victim empathy towards their own victim, in