Forensic Staff Attitudes Toward Men Who Have Sexually Offended: A General Public Comparison

Challinor, Laura; Duff, Simon

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the attitudes towards men who have sexually offended (MSO) between the general public and professionals and paraprofessionals in forensic settings.
Background: Existing research demonstrates a number of different factors that appear to be important in the development, maintenance and deterioration of attitudes towards MSO. The exploration of such factors requires further exploration.
Method: A convenience sample was used for the cross-sectional study. A total of 553 participants were recruited from the general public and forensic hospitals, both private and National Health Service (NHS). An online version of the Attitudes Towards Sex Offenders scale (ATS; Hogue, 1993) was distributed via email and social media.
Results: Gender was not found to have any impact on the attitudes individuals held towards MSO. The general public were found to have significantly more negative attitudes when compared to those exposed to MSO at work (professional and paraprofessional staff). Duration of employment did not make attitudes any more or less positive.
Conclusion: The clinical and societal implications of the research are important for MSO to reduce risk within forensic establishments and be supported to reintegrate successfully into the community. Without the support from both staff and the general public at each stage of rehabilitation, desistance is less likely to be maintained. Research continues to provide varying results regarding the factors that influence the nature of attitudes towards MSO.

Citation

Challinor, L., & Duff, S. (2019). Forensic Staff Attitudes Toward Men Who Have Sexually Offended: A General Public Comparison. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 15(2), 110-119. https://doi.org/10.1097/jfn.0000000000000238

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 31, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 19, 2019
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Feb 1, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 20, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1556-3693
• Electronic ISSN: 1939-3938
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 110-119
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/jfn.0000000000000238
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1514121
• Publisher URL: https://journals.lww.com/forensicnursing/Abstract/2019/06000/Forensic_Staff_Attitudes_Toward_Men_Who_Have.7.aspx
• Contract Date: Feb 1, 2019