Introduction
The sex assaults issue raises numerous discussions and contradictions. Michael Griffin and Desiree West presented a unique reflection on this problem in their article “The Lowest of the Low? Addressing the disparity between Community View, Public Policy, and Treatment Effectiveness for Sex Offenders”, published in Law & Psychology Review in 2006. The article draws attention to the current problems in the perception of sex offenders by the community.
The authors’ view of sex offender prevention techniques
The authors regard the effectiveness of treatments of sexual offenders as “a topic of debate” (Griffin & West, 2006, p. 149). They demonstrate the invalidity of physical treatment methods and the non-behavioral approach. It appears that the authors find the behavioral approach to treatment the most appropriate one. The article presents numerous proofs of the positive effects of this method, including Quinn’s statements, results of the examination conducted by Hanson and his colleagues, the research made by Barrett, Wilson, and Long, and the position of Supreme Court. The importance of the continuance of sex offender treatment is emphasized through the notion of a decrease in offenders’ motivation after the end of treatment (Griffin & West, 2006, p.152).
Sex offender’s profile
The article doesn’t state what should be included in a profile for sex offenders. It rather demonstrates the impossibility of creating the profile, which would make it possible to identify, treat, and supervise sex offenders. The inefficiency of such a profile is caused by the absence of strong similarity between distinctive features of sex offenders. The authors provide an overview of theories of sex offender behavior and question the myths about the typical qualities. By presenting this information, the authors show that it is very difficult to differentiate certain peculiarities, typical for all sex offenders, and create an appropriate profile. My point of view is quite similar. In my opinion, the nature of sex crimes is extremely complicated and not fully investigated. That makes singling out of the features, common among all people convicting such crimes, nearly impossible.
The disparity between community view, public policy, and treatment effectiveness for sex offenders
It appears to me, that the disparity between community view, public policy, and treatment effectiveness for sex offenders is caused by low public awareness of the results of studies. The community’s view on sex offenders is heavily influenced by stereotypes and myths. Public policy is based on the position of the community. Wrong beliefs in society lead to making inappropriate decisions on higher levels. Such failures result in the inability of society to create a proper environment that can help sex offenders to overcome their psychological problems and deviations. Thus, society cannot ensure its safety because of its own mistakes.
Effective prevention of sex offenders from committing crimes
The authors of the article offer long-termed treatment for sex offenders as an effective way of preventing further crimes. They also emphasize the importance of the improvement of sex offenders’ acceptance in society and confronting those who spread wrong information (Griffin & West, 2006, p. 168). The main advantage of the article is its persuasiveness, as it is full of valuable data and examples. The authors used logical reasoning and managed to make the article very informative and convincing. However, the abundance of research data can be considered a disadvantage, as it makes the text difficult for reading.
It goes without saying that the development of methods, that can prevent sex offenders from committing crimes, should be based on the objective analysis of the previously gained results. Our society has very little information about the things that provoke deviant behavior (Hudson, Law, & Ward, 2000, p. 515). The relapse prevention model, created by Richard Law, proved to be effective and should be extended and modified for its higher productivity (Hudson et al., 2000, p. 516). In my opinion, only a scientific approach to the modernization of methods of prevention is suitable.
Conclusion
The nature of sex crimes is complicated and difficult to investigate. Griffin and West’s article attracts attention to the problems concerning community view and treatment of sex offenders. In that way, it promotes society’s awareness of the existing problems connected with the issueThe sex assaults issue raises numerous discussions and contradictions. Michael Griffin and Desiree West presented a unique reflection on this problem in their article “The Lowest of the Low? Addressing the disparity between Community View, Public Policy, and Treatment Effectiveness for Sex Offenders”, published in Law & Psychology Review in 2006. The article draws attention to the current problems in the perception of sex offenders by the community.
References
Griffin, M. P., & West, D. A. (2006). The Lowest of the Low? Addressing the disparity between Community View, Public Policy, and Treatment Effectiveness for Sex Offenders. Law & Psychology Review, 30, 143-169.
Hudson, S. M., Laws, R. D., & Ward. T. (2000). Remaking Relapse Prevention with Sex Offenders: A Sourcebook. New York, USA: SAGE Publications.