Perceptions of sex offenders with intellectual disability: a comparison of forensic staff and the general public

Steans, Jennifer and Duff, Simon (2018) Perceptions of sex offenders with intellectual disability: a comparison of forensic staff and the general public. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities . ISSN 1468-3148

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Abstract

Background. Existing literature suggests that individuals with intellectual disability are not always held accountable for their actions and forensic staff are unlikely to report their sexually harmful behaviour.

Method. This research explores how categorisation of an offender as having intellectual disability and the framing of an offence as planned or opportunistic, impacts upon ratings of risk, blame and intent by forensic staff and the general public. The impact of pre-existing attitudes towards sex offenders upon these ratings was also considered.

Results. Differences are identified between participants’ ratings when the offender is categorised as having an intellectual disability. More positive attitudes are associated with lower ratings of several factors.

Conclusions. Individuals with overly positive attitudes towards sex offenders could underestimate the risk posed by sex offenders with intellectual disability. These results are important to consider alongside the NHS Transforming Care Agenda.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/932799
Keywords: Attitudes towards Sex Offenders; ATS; Intellectual disability; Sex offenders with an intellectual disability
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12467
Depositing User: Eprints, Support
Date Deposited: 04 Apr 2018 13:42
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 19:36
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/50920

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