Making a Bad Situation Worse: Current and Potential Unintended Consequences of Juvenile Registration for Sexual Offences.

Within the US, children and adolescents who engage in sexually abusive behavior are often subjected to sex offender registration and notification requirements, which contribute to stigmatization and forfeiture of their civil rights without empirical basis (Lancaster, 2011; Pickett et al., 2023; Zilney & Zilney, 2009). To date, 39 states subject children with adjudicated sexual offenses to sex offender registration requirements, with most recent estimates revealing that approximately 200,000 youth have been placed on sex offender registries within the US and many are now on the registry as adults (Pickett et al., 2020). This severe response-by both members of the public and policymakers-toward children who engage in inappropriate sexual behavior is imposed upon children and adolescents with adjudicated sexual offenses in an effort to meet goals of reducing sexual violence and increasing community safety. Within the current discourse, we review the history of registration and notification practices for adolescents with sexual offenses, describe what registration and notification policies entail, and then present empirical and theoretical evidence of the harmful outcomes associated with implementation of registration and notification requirements for sexual offenses. Thus, the predominant aim of this discourse is to encourage thoughtful and critical examination of registration and notification policies and their iatrogenic impacts.

Reoffending after convictions related to child sexual exploitation material: Data from the German Federal Central Criminal Register.

BACKGROUND: As digitalization has made it easier to produce, copy, and distribute child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse images has become more widespread. Thus, the need to assess the risk of subsequent sex offenses - above all, sexual abuse of children by individuals who have been convicted of CSEM offenses - becomes more and more important. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the respective size of two groups of offenders: first, offenders who commit CSEM offenses without ever crossing the line to sexual abuse of children, and second, so-called crossover offenders, that is, individuals who commit CSEM offenses and engage in child sexual abuse. Identification of differences between these two groups facilitates analyzing the risk that someone convicted of a CSEM offense might in the future sexually assault children. METHOD: We used data from the German Federal Central Criminal Register (Bundeszentralregister), a data set that includes information about all persons convicted of any criminal offense, including "child pornography" offenses, by a court in Germany. RESULTS: For persons convicted of CSEM offenses only, with no additional concurring sex offenses, the rate of subsequent convictions for child sexual abuse is very low (1.1 % after a six-year follow-up period, adult offenders). This risk is even lower if offenders are older than 30 years of age, and it is slightly higher for offenders with previous offense-specific convictions (i.e., previous sex offenses). CONCLUSIONS: The mere existence of a conviction for a CSEM offense is not an indication that the convicted person poses a significant risk of committing child sexual abuse. To pinpoint such a risk more accurately, the following factors should be examined: the existence of offense-specific prior records, the presence of crossover-offending in the form of concurring offenses, and the age of the offender.

Prevention of child sexual abuse in the United States: Scoping review of United States legislative policies.

BACKGROUND: States in the United States (US) have passed and enacted legislation for the purpose of preventing child sexual abuse (CSA) since 2000, but it is unknown whether these legislative policies reduce adult-perpetrated CSA. OBJECTIVE: Review the literature from 2000 to 2023 to understand which US CSA prevention policies have been evaluated, the effectiveness of these policies, study populations, and barriers and facilitators associated with the implementation of CSA prevention policies. METHODS: The study protocol was published prior to undertaking the review: PMC10603531. The review follows Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and is reported according to the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. We searched 27 databases, hand searched reference lists of included studies, and sent notice via listserv to other researchers in the field. Articles were included if the content focused on CSA prevention policies and the effects. No limits to methodology were applied. Methodological rigor was assessed. RESULTS: 2209 potentially relevant articles were identified; 20 articles advanced to full-text review, three satisfied the inclusion criteria. Three eligible studies focused on CSA prevention education policies, while the other focused on mandated reporting policies. Effects of these policies were mixed in relation to CSA reporting and substantiation rates. No study considered child demographics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite decades of legislative action for CSA prevention across the US, only a few studies have assessed the effects of these policies. These findings highlight the need for additional research to ensure that CSA prevention policies such as CSA prevention education in schools and mandated reporting practices are working as intended.

Práticas de avaliação psicológica em suspeitas de abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar no contexto do judiciário do estado do Rio de Janeiro / Psychological assessment practices in cases of suspected intrafamilial child sexual abuse in the context of the judiciary power in the state of Rio de Janeiro / Les pratique s de l'évaluation psychologique en cas de suspicion d e violence sexuel intrafamilial chez l' enfant dans le contexte judiciaire de l'état de Rio de Janeiro / Prácticas de evaluación psicológica en presuntas víctimas de abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar en el Poder Judicial del estado de Río de Janeiro

Resumo: O artigo apresenta os resultados da pesquisa que investigou as práticas em avaliação psicológica realizadas pelos psicólogos forenses do judiciário fluminense nos processos judiciais envolvendo suspeita de abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar. Foram realizadas entrevistas qualitativas com quatro analistas judiciários do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (TJRJ) e duas psicólogas peritas judiciais. A partir da análise de conteúdo de Bardin, emergiram três categorias: avaliação psicológica: percepções e recursos; perícias psicológicas em casos de abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar; e dificuldades dos psicólogos forenses no contexto do TJRJ. Concluiu-se que as práticas avaliativas são diversas e que há pouca abertura por parte dos psicólogos forenses e da instituição judiciária fluminense para a utilização de instrumentos psicológicos além das entrevistas. O espaçamento temporal entre a ocorrência da violência e a perícia, o alto volume de trabalho e os curtos prazos processuais foram complicadores referidos por todos os participantes.

Abstract: This study investigated the practices in Psychological Assessment carried out by Rio de Janeiro judiciary forensic psychologists in judicial proceedings involving suspected intrafamilial child sexual abuse. For that, six forensic psychologists linked to the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro were interviewed. Participants included four judicial analysts occupying positions of psychologists and two psychologists who are judicial experts. Based on Bardin's content analysis, three categories emerged. Psychological Assessment: perceptions and resources; psychological expertise in cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse and difficulties faced by forensic psychologists in the context of the Court of Justice. We found diverse evaluative practices and scarce spaces for the use of psychological instruments besides interviews. The temporal spacing between the occurrence of violence and expertise, the high volume of work, and the short procedural deadlines configured complicating factors according to all participants.

Résumé : L'article expose les résultats de la recherche qui a enquêté sur les pratiques d'évaluation psychologique réalisées par des psychologues légistes de la justice de Rio de Janeiro dans le cadre de procédures judiciaires impliquant des violences sexuels intrafamiliaux présumés chez des enfants. Des entretiens qualitatifs ont été réalisés avec quatre analystes judiciaires du Tribunal de Justiça do Rio de Janeiro (TJRJ) [Cour d'Appel de l'État de Rio de Janeiro] et deux psychologues judiciaires experts. De l'analyse de contenu de Bardin, trois catégories ont émergé : évaluation psychologique : perceptions et ressources ; expertise psychologique dans les cas de violence sexuel intrafamiliaux chez les enfants ; et difficultés des psychologues judiciaires dans le cadre du TJRJ. Nous concluons que les pratiques évaluatives sont diverses et qu'il y a peu d'ouverture pour l'utilisation d'instruments psychologiques en dehors des entretiens. L'espacement temporel entre la survenance de la violence et l'expertise, le volume de travail important et les courts délais de procédure ont été des facteurs de complication mentionnés par tous les participants.

Resumen: Este artículo expone los resultados de la investigación que tuvo como objetivo conocer las prácticas de evaluación psicológica realizadas por psicólogos forenses del Poder Judicial de Río de Janeiro en procesos judiciales que involucran a presuntas víctimas de abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar. Se realizaron entrevistas cualitativas a cuatro analistas judiciales del Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Río de Janeiro (TJRJ) y dos peritos psicólogos judiciales. Del análisis de contenido de Bardin surgieron tres categorías: evaluación psicológica: percepciones y recursos; pericia psicológica en casos de abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar; y dificultades de los psicólogos forenses en el contexto del TJRJ. Se concluyó que las prácticas evaluativas son diversas y que hay poco espacio para el uso de herramientas psicológicas más allá de las entrevistas. El espaciamiento temporal entre la ocurrencia de la violencia y la pericia, el alto volumen de trabajo y los cortos plazos procesales fueron los factores de complicación mencionados por todos los participantes.

Aportes del psicoanálisis a los estudios de abuso sexual infantil: Análisis del discurso de la madre de una niña abusada sexualmente / Contributions of psychoanalysis to studies of child sexual abuse: Mother's speech analysis about her sexually abused daughter

Se presentan los resultados dela tesis doctoral sobre los deseos y defensas (y sus estados) de la madre de una niña abusada sexualmente, con el objetivo de conocer su estructuración subjetiva en este difícil acontecimiento. Se trata de un estudio de caso en el que se usa como método el Algoritmo David Liberman (ADL), en el análisis del discurso de la madre, seleccionadas tres sesiones y una carta manuscrita. El estudio de deseos y defensas puede contribuir a describir y conocer el posicionamiento subjetivo de una madre frente a la situación abusiva de su hija, y como ésta es vivida por ella AU

The results of the doctoral thesis on the wishes and defenses (and their states) of the mother of a sexually abused girl are presented, with the aim of knowing her subjective structuring in this difficult event. This is a case study in which the David Liberman Algorithm (ADL) is used as a method in the analysis of the mother's speech, three sessions and a handwritten letter selected. The study of desires and defenses can contribute to describing and knowing the subjective position of a mother in the face of her daughter's abusive situation, and how it is experienced by her AU

Use of Tanner stages to estimate chronological age in alleged child pornography cases: A systematic review. / Uso de las etapas de Tanner para estimar la edad cronológica en presuntos casos de pornografía infantil: Revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: The last two decades have seen an exponential growth in the distribution and availability of child pornographic material on the Internet and social networks. The medical community is involved in assisting the investigating authorities in relation to estimating the age and sexual maturity of the alleged victims. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of using Tanner stages as a method for esti mating chronological age in alleged child pornography cases based on published evidence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Systematic review study in PubMed and Scopus databases following PRISMA guideli nes. Articles describing the outcome of using Tanner stages to estimate chronological age in alleged child pornography cases were identified. For screening, those written in English or Spanish published from January 1, 2000, to April 30, 2020, were considered. The following data were extracted from the articles included: type of study; material and methods used; Tanner items examined; evaluators' characteristics; results; estimated chronological age versus real age; observer-dependent variations (bias); and conclusions. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. Three were literature reviews and four were case studies with expert testimony and observer bias. This method is ineffective when the alleged victim, in both sexes, shows sexual maturation in Tanner stages 3-5. In stages 1-2, it may be useful to state that the victim is under 18 years old, but not to determine their chronological age. CONCLUSION: Scientific evidence discourages the use of Tanner stages to estimate the chronological age of the vic tim from images in alleged child pornography cases. Pediatricians, and other medical professionals, should avoid making a testimony that is not scientifically based.

Child Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations and Prosecutorial Decisions to Accept or Reject Cases of Child Sexual Abuse.

INTRODUCTION: Prosecution of child sexual abuse (CSA) cases provides safety for communities and justice for victims. Prosecutorial decisions are multifactorial and include the presence of a structured coordinated community response to outcries and access to skilled healthcare providers. This study examines the impact forensic nurse sexual assault examinations (SAEs) have on prosecution in a population of children seen at a child advocacy center (CAC). METHODS: The authors examined case data from 553 cases of reported CSA, seen by a forensic nurse in a CAC. RESULTS: Statistical analysis focused on prosecution decisions with and without SAE, with and without physical findings. Logistic regression determined prosecution occurred more often when SAE had been conducted (p = 0.026, OR = 1.732, 95% CI [1.068, 2.808]), regardless of examination findings. LIMITATIONS: The limitations include a single location for data and the multifactorial reasons for prosecution of cases. DISCUSSION: The multifactorial elements contributing to prosecutorial decisions are diverse. The formalized approaches in CACs historically show increased prosecution. Teasing out the impact of an SAE in a CAC may be reflective of positive CAC approaches. Regardless, a statistically significant finding of association uniquely with the SAE, with or without findings, implies more studies are needed to support the role of the forensic nurse in successful prosecutions of CSA cases.

Understanding Risk of Suicide among perpetrators who view child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Attempts to address the threat of harm posed by perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA) have rightly increased in recent years, with well-known efforts such as operation NOTARISE resulting in 750 arrests; however, the cost of such operations is also high. Operation NOTARISE resulted in 24 suicides; the estimated economic and social cost of which has been estimated to be £34.8 million.[1] Perpetrators who view child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) are not only at higher risk of suicide than the general population, individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and perpetrators of other violent and sexual crimes,[2-5] but they also appear to be at higher risk of suicide than perpetrators of CSA who engage directly in sexual acts with a child .[6-8] An in-depth understanding of the experiences of CSAM offenders is missing in the literature, but is required to understand how to mitigate the risk of suicide amongst this high risk group. This qualitative study investigates the experiences of CSAM perpetrators from the perspectives of law enforcement officers (n = 16), CSAM perpetrators themselves (n = 5), and help-line operators who have provided support to CSAM perpetrators through the Lucy Faithfull Foundation "Stop it now!" helpline (n = 6). Analysis was conducted separately for each dataset and in accordance with guidelines set out by Braun and Clark .[9] The focus of this paper is the six over-arching themes that were common across all datasets: (i) offender demographics; (ii) psychological impact of arrest; (iii) coping with the investigation; (iv) cognitive distortion; (v) shame and stigma; and (vi) professional support. Findings are discussed in the context of the challenges faced by law enforcement and healthcare professions when providing support to this high risk group, and eight key recommendations are made to reduce the risk of suicide.

[Epidemioclinical and legal aspects of sexual abuse among minors in Monastir, Tunisia]. / Aspects épidémiocliniques et suites judiciaires des abus sexuels chez les mineurs à Monastir, Tunisie.

INTRODUCTION: Child sexual abuse is a disturbing reality and a major public health problem. Indeed, it is a subject that has long been treated as taboo, with dramatic consequences on physical and mental health as well as on social wellbeing of the victims. The purpose of this study was to highlight the epidemiological and clinical features as well as the legal aspects of child sexual abuse. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective descriptive study at the psychiatric outpatient service of the University Hospital of Monastir over a period of 12 years and 6 months. All children younger than 18 years diagnosed with suspected or confirmed sexual assault were included. RESULTS: a total of 93 children, victims of sexual abuse were enrolled. The average age of patients was 10 years, with a standard deviation of 3.9 years. Sex-ratio M/F was 0.9. The most common sexual contact was touching (47,3% of cases). The majority of abusers were male (93,5%). In more than half of the cases (53,8%) they were relatives of the child and in 28% of cases intra-familial abuse was reported. Initial psychiatric assessment showed mental disorders in 70% of cases. CONCLUSION: sexual abuse is a very broad field of violence which varies widely in nature and intensity. Although, in some types of sexual abuse occasionally there is a lack of physical traces, the emotional and psychological impact is ubiquitous and characterized by numerous clinical manifestations.

Characteristics of Older Adult First-Time Sex Offenders: Insights From the Missouri Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of older adult first-time sex offenders (who offended for the first time at the age of 65 years or above). DESIGN: The authors retrieved and analyzed data from the publicly available Missouri sex offender registry database up to December 2018 and the Missouri public case management system website. PARTICIPANTS: Registered older (≥65 years) sex offenders in the state of Missouri, United States. MEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographic characteristics of the offender, offense type(s), offense, and conviction dates; age and sex of the victim(s); and case disposition information (whether the trial was waived or not and what were the sentences imposed). RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-four older adult sex offenders all males were identified, of which 172 were first-time offenders. The majority were white; the median age of offense was 68.6 years old. One hundred and thirty-nine (80.8%) first-time offenders were convicted strictly of non-pornography offenses, with prepubescent girls the predominant victim pool. The most prevalent charge in this subgroup was Child Molestation, First Degree (36.5%). Twenty-eight (16.3%) offenders were convicted strictly of pornography offenses, the most prevalent one being Possession of Child Pornography (96.6%). The recidivism rate among first-time offenders was close to 1%. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of older registered sex offenders are first-time sex offenders and most of them have underage victims. Although the offense and recidivism rates seem to be low, future longitudinal studies should focus on the predictors of sexual offending in the older population, in order to design targeted preventive measures, risk assessment, and treatment options.

Os usos do abuso sexual / Los usos del abuso sexual / The uses of sexual abuse

Resumo Este artigo analisa as narrativas de mulheres e homens; mães e pais; cuidadoras e cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes envolvidos em denúncias de abuso sexual, na condição de vítimas, e que foram, por essa razão, inseridas/os no sistema de garantia de direitos, objetivando demonstrar o que pensam, que enunciados utilizam para falar sobre o abuso sexual e os sentidos atribuídos à sua inserção na rede de atendimentos. Para auxiliar a operar teoricamente utilizou-se a noção de biopolítica, enquanto uma forma de governo e uma tecnologia do poder de Foucault, associada às ideias de um governo pela psicologia de Castel e à retórica do trauma de Fassin. A partir da análise, é possível descrever como o abuso se torna a forma de legitimação maior para que se possa acessar a proteção do Estado e como as formas de governar capturam a todos/as e balizam as narrativas em sutis esferas.

Resumen Este artículo analiza las narrativas de mujeres y hombres, madres y padres, cuidadores de niñas, niños y adolescentes involucrados en denuncias de abuso sexual, como víctimas, y que fueron, por eso, insertados en el sistema de garantía de derechos, con el objetivo de demostrar lo que piensan, qué declaraciones utilizan para hablar sobre el abuso sexual y los significados atribuidos a su inserción en la red de asistencia. Para ayudar a operar teóricamente, se utilizó la noción de biopolítica, como una forma de gobierno y una tecnología de poder de Foucault, asociada a las ideas de un gobierno de la psicología de Castel y la retórica del trauma de Fassin. A partir del análisis es posible describir cómo el abuso se convierte en la forma de mayor legitimación para que se pueda acceder a la protección del Estado y cómo las formas de gobernar capturan a todas y todos y marcan las narrativas en esferas sutiles.

Abstract This article analyzes the narratives of men and women; mothers and fathers and caretakers of children and adolescents involved in sexual abuse allegations, as victims, and that, for that reason, they have been inserted in the Rights Guarantee System, aiming to demonstrate what they think, what statements they use to talk about sexual abuse and the meanings attributed to their insertion in the care network. To facilitate the theoretical comprehension, the notion of Biopolitics was used as a type of government and one of Foucault's technologies of power, also linked to the ideas of a government for Castel's psychology and to Fassin's rhetoric of trauma. From the analysis it is possible to describe how the abuse becomes the major way of legitimizing in order to access the government protection, and how the forms of government capture all people and support the narratives in subtle ways.

Analyzing the scientific foundation of Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome: A reply to Lyon et al.

The issue before the New Jersey Supreme Court in the Frye hearing New Jersey v. J.L.G. (2018) was whether the scientific community agreed that Summit's (1983) Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome rested on a firm scientific foundation. Lyon et al. (this issue) critique our approach to describing child sexual abuse disclosure, which involved extrapolating rates from children who came to the attention of authorities. Lyon et al. claim that our conclusions are marred by sampling biases resulting from what they term the ground truth problem, suspicion bias and substantiation bias. The points Lyon et al. claim we "fell victim to" were the very points we acknowledge are inherent difficulties in estimating the extent to which children will come forward to tell others about sexual maltreatment. Lyon et al. offer an alternative solution to the inherent difficulties in studying a difficult-to-identify population, relying in large part on 21 papers published mostly in the 1960s and 1970s. We argue that the method they propose has more flaws than the one it is intended to replace. Points of agreement and disagreement, along with suggestions for future research, are discussed. Moving forward, we argue that studies are needed that embrace both validity and generalizability in order to foster data-driven theories rather than invoking the intuitive suppositions of Summit's (1983) syndromal evidence.

The Relevance of Certain Case Characteristics in the Successful Prosecution of Child Sexual Abuse Cases in Indonesia.

Successful prosecution in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases is an essential purpose of law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability of perpetrators and children's safety. However, research has shown that legal prosecution of CSA cases is a highly complex endeavor resulting in only a limited percentage of cases being prosecuted and ultimately proven in court. Most attrition occurs at the stage of the police investigation. The current study is the first study of CSA prosecution in an Asian country. We aimed to identify factors, which contribute to Indonesian CSA cases prosecution. We examined police files of CSA cases (N = 179) from three police units in greater Jakarta. We found that only 32% (n = 58) of cases were prosecuted. The following factors increased the odds of prosecution: victim being threatened, the suspect confessed, medical examination report being present, duration of investigations between one to 2 months, and the case being charged under the Child Protection Law. These findings (threat, suspect confession, and the presence of a medical examination report) correspond to previous studies in other jurisdictions.

Can Legislation Alone Protect Devadasi Girls from Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation?

Girls in India continue to be sexually abused/exploited under the veil of traditional practices such as Devadasi dedication despite the existence of legislation meant to protect them from child sexual abuse. This study recounts the experiences of 30 Devadasi girls who were dedicated, initiated into sexual activity, and involved in commercial sexual activity as children. It underscores the need to address this practice as a criminal offense to be prosecuted under the legislation. Efforts must be made to explicitly connect Devadasi dedication and child sexual abuse in the minds of the public, law enforcement agencies and government officials.

When sexual offence is an unexpected diagnosis - exploration of medical, legal and social aspects in Nepalese scenario.

In Nepal, following allegations of sexual assault, the survivor is taken by the police to a Government Hospital for medical examination and sample collection. To provide an integrated service to survivors of gender-based violence, a One-Stop Crisis Management Centre (OCMC) is established in many Government Hospitals. However, paediatric survivors of sexual abuse frequently seek initial care at the emergency department, as most present with a medical complaint rather than for sexual abuse. It is therefore important to train emergency physicians with the skills required to identify the features and diagnose a case of sexual assault. We present a case where the diagnosis of sexual assault of a child was an incidental finding and discuss the challenges faced in dealing with such cases in non-OCMC Hospital.

Child pornography: Characteristics of its depiction and use.

Child pornography involves the realisation of deviant fantasies with very specific characteristics with regard to its content and use and therefore the legal action needed to deal with it. The internet has facilitated its dissemination and access and complicates the issue but we need to be able to identify and track people who use illegal pornography. This paper is based on a review of the literature and presents some criminological characteristics of child pornography on the internet.

A Public Health Approach to Global Child Sex Trafficking.

Human trafficking and child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in particular are global public health issues with widespread, lasting impacts on children, families, and communities. Traditionally, human trafficking has been treated as a law enforcement problem with an emphasis on the arrest and prosecution of traffickers. However, use of a public health approach focuses efforts on those impacted by exploitation: trafficked persons, their families, and the population at large. It promotes strategies to build a solid scientific evidence base that allows development, implementation, and evaluation of prevention and intervention efforts, informs policy and program development, and guides international efforts at eradication. This article uses the public health approach to address human trafficking, with a focus on child sex trafficking and exploitation. Recommendations are made for public health professionals to contribute to antitrafficking efforts globally.