An investigation into the effect of respondent gender, victim age and perpetrator treatment on public attitudes towards sex offenders, sex offender treatment and sex offender rehabilitation

Abstract

In this study the authors examine the effect respondent gender, victim age, and offender treatment programs have upon public attitudes towards sex offenders. A community sample of 235 participants were asked to read a hypothetical vignette involving the sexual assault of a 10-, 15-, or 20-year-old female by a 35-year-old male who subsequently completed either a sex offender treatment or car maintenance program whilst in prison. Respondents then completed three psychometrically sound measures assessing general attitudes towards sex offenders, their treatment and their rehabilitation. No gender difference was found in respondents’ attitudes towards sex offenders. In contrast, and as predicted, respondents’ attitudes towards offenders became more negative as victim age decreased and if the depicted perpetrator had not completed relevant treatment. Overall, respondents’ attitudes were most negative when the depicted assault was perpetrated against a 10-year-old child and no offender treatment program ensued. Methodological limitations, implications for forensic practitioners, and suggestions for future research are discussed.