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Specialization and versatility in sexual offenders referred for civil commitment

Author

Listed:
  • Harris, Danielle A.
  • Smallbone, Stephen
  • Dennison, Susan
  • Knight, Raymond A.

Abstract

Offense specialization and versatility have been investigated in general offender populations, but have only recently been examined in sexual offenders. This study explored the extent of both tendencies in the criminal histories of 572 adult male sexual offenders referred for civil commitment. The specialization threshold and the diversity index were used to compare offender subgroups by referral status (committed versus observed) and offense type (rape, child molestation, and incest). Offense versatility was the more likely tendency across the sample. Committed and observed offenders did not differ. Although predominantly versatile, child molesters were significantly more likely than rapists to specialize in sexual offenses, and were also more likely to specialize in child molestation (compared to rapists specializing in rape). These results confirm previous findings on criminal versatility among sexual offenders. This adds to a growing body of research that questions universal and selective crime control policies designed exclusively for sexual offenders.

Suggested Citation

  • Harris, Danielle A. & Smallbone, Stephen & Dennison, Susan & Knight, Raymond A., 2009. "Specialization and versatility in sexual offenders referred for civil commitment," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 37-44, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:37:y::i:1:p:37-44
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lussier, Patrick & LeBlanc, Marc & Proulx, Jean, 2005. "The generality of criminal behavior: A confirmatory factor analysis of the criminal activity of sex offenders in adulthood," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 177-189.
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    Cited by:

    1. Amirault, Joanna & Lussier, Patrick, 2011. "Population heterogeneity, state dependence and sexual offender recidivism: The aging process and the lost predictive impact of prior criminal charges over time," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 344-354, July.
    2. Kristen M. Zgoba & Lin Liu & Dylan T. Matthews, 2023. "Advancing Research: An Examination of Differences in Characteristics of Sexual and Non-Sexual Offense Recidivism Using a 10-Year Follow-Up," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Vaughn, Michael G. & DeLisi, Matt & Gunter, Tracy & Fu, Qiang & Beaver, Kevin M. & Perron, Brian E. & Howard, Matthew O., 2011. "The Severe 5%: A Latent Class Analysis of the Externalizing Behavior Spectrum in the United States," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 75-80.
    4. Jennings, Wesley G. & Zgoba, Kristen M. & Donner, Christopher M. & Henderson, Brandy B. & Tewksbury, Richard, 2014. "Considering specialization/versatility as an unintended collateral consequence of SORN," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 184-192.
    5. Kaseweter, Kimberley & Woodworth, Michael & Logan, Matt & Freimuth, Tabatha, 2016. "High-risk sexual offenders: Towards a new typology," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 123-132.
    6. DeLisi, Matt & Piquero, Alex R., 2011. "New frontiers in criminal careers research, 2000-2011: A state-of-the-art review," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 289-301, July.
    7. Pedneault, Amélie & Harris, Danielle A. & Knight, Raymond A., 2012. "Toward a typology of sexual burglary: Latent class findings," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 278-284.

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