Can Criminological Theories Explain Desistance from Sexual Offending?

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Although a number of prominent theories have been advanced in the field of criminology to explain the process of desistance for general offenders, these approaches do not consider the unique characteristics of and challenges faced by sex offenders. Whether or not they are fundamentally different from other types of offenders, society continues to monitor sex offenders more closely than their nonsexual counterparts. Therefore, the desistance process for sexual offenders is likely to be significantly impacted by their experiences with strict surveillance and the accompanying social stigma. Criminal sexual behavior is complex and therefore defining desistance for this group is not straightforward and requires the combination of multiple perspectives (Laws & Ward, 2011).
This poster contributes to a small but growing body of recent literature examining the process of desistance from sexual offending. In a critical review of the criminological literature this paper will outline the most prominent contemporary theories of desistance from crime, with a particular focus on their ability to account for crime cessation among adult male sex offenders. We conclude with a discussion of the applicability of these theories to explain sex offender desistance.

Authors

• Rebecca M. Cudmore, Northeastern University

• Danielle Arlanda Harris, San Jose State University