The characteristics of persistent sexual offenders: a meta-analysis of recidivism studies - summary of an articly by Hanson, R. K., & Morton-Bourgon, K. E

Journal of Consulting and Clinical psychology, 73, 1145
Hanson, R. K., & Morton-Bourgon, K. E (2005)
The characteristics of persistent sexual offenders: a meta-analysis of recidivism studies

The major predictors of sexual recidivism for both adult and adolescent sexual offenders are:

• Deviant sexual preferences
  Deviant sexual interests: enduring attractions to sexual acts that are illegal or highly unusual
  Men who commit such acts do not necessarily have enduring preferences for such behaviour
• Antisocial orientation
  Antisocial personality, antisocial traits, and a history of rule violation
  There is a strong association between rule violation and impulsive, reckless behaviour.
  The major predictor of violent recidivism and general (any) recidivism

Antisocial orientation facilitates sexual offending because individuals will not commit sexual crimes unless they are

• Willing to hurt others, or
• Can convince themselves that they are not harming their victims, or
• Feel unable to stop themselves

Sexual offenders are likely to have many problems, not all of which are related to sexual offending.

Dynamic risk factors that have the potential of being useful treatment targets

• Sexual preoccupations
• General self-regulation problems

Variables commonly addressed in sex offender treatment programs had little or no relationship with sexual or violent recidivism

• Psychological distress
• Denial of sex crime
• Victim empathy
• Stated motivation for treatment

Sexual offenders are more likely to reoffend with a non-sexual offence than with a sexual offense.

Sexual deviancy was unrelated to non-sexual recidivism.