Addressing Myths Associated with Sex Crimes and Sex Offenders

• In Event: Roundtable: Teaching about Sex Crimes and Criminals

Abstract

This roundtable discussion will include addressing myths associated with sex crimes and sex offenders. As professors in criminal justice, we often have students who have been exposed to an inaccurate portrayal of the criminal justice system, offenders, and victims. This is due to the large number of sensationalized media accounts of criminal activity and popular criminal justice-oriented television shows. This is especially true with regard to sex crimes and sex offenders. This discussion will highlight some of the common myths that exist regarding sex crimes and sex offenders and, more importantly, ways to counter such views. Our goal is to generate successful teaching strategies regarding this topic.

Authors

• Donna Vandiver, Texas State University

• Jeremy Braithwaite, University of California, Irvine