Sex Offenders and the Lebanese Criminal Justice System

• In Event: Special Needs Offenders in the U. S., Lebanon and the United Kingdom

Abstract

This research examines the progression of sex offenders through the Lebanese criminal justice system while highlighting various human rights violations. Seventy-three interviews were conducted with sex offenders, and criminal justice agents. The thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews captured their experiences, attitudes and perceptions surrounding sex offending and the criminal justice system. Numerous factors were found to play a role in conceding the violations of sex offenders’ rights through the various stages of the criminal justice system. These factors included corruption, police culture, and religion. In investigating the structure and the functioning of the criminal justice system, it became evident that religion played a vital role. Because of its influence, religion paved the way for the re-occurrence of human right violations. In order to move Lebanon, and other punitive countries, towards a more rehabilitative criminal justice approach, this research highlights the importance of training, change in legislation, as well as the separation of religion from criminal justice.

Author

• Shereen Sarah Baz, Loughborough University