Out of the Blue Sexual Offenses: Informing Redemption Thresholds for Sexual Offenders

• In Event: Understanding Factors Related to Sexual Offending

Abstract

A popular conception in society is that sexual offenders have heightened rates of recidivism, and thus, as a category of offenders in their entirety, should be deemed at high risk for committing future sexual offenses. Empirical research would suggest, however, that not all sex offenders demonstrate an enduring risk of recidivism. An important concept that is related to this variation in sexual recidivism is the concept of a redemption period or threshold. This concept can be applied to sex offender populations with the intent to establish a time point where the risk of reoffending sexually is as low as or similar to the risk of someone committing a spontaneous or first sexual offense. We reviewed and compiled studies (k=11) that examined spontaneous or ‘out of the blue’ sexual offending or rates of sexual offenses by non sex-offenders. Median rates were extracted and results revealed that the rate for ‘out of the blue’ or spontaneous sex offenses was 1.17% for a 5 year follow-up period. This rate was virtually unchanged when various restrictions were used for study inclusion. Using this rate to identify a redemption threshold can inform public policy and laws pertaining to sex offender release and registration.

Authors

• Rachel E. Kahn, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center, Mauston, WI

• David Thornton, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center

• Karl Hanson, Public Safety Canada

• Gina Ambroziak, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center, Mauston, WI