Perceptions of sex offenders with intellectual disability: a comparison of forensic staff and the general public

Steans, Jennifer; Duff, Simon

Abstract

Background. Existing literature suggests that individuals with intellectual disability are not always held accountable for their actions and forensic staff are unlikely to report their sexually harmful behaviour.

Method. This research explores how categorisation of an offender as having intellectual disability and the framing of an offence as planned or opportunistic, impacts upon ratings of risk, blame and intent by forensic staff and the general public. The impact of pre-existing attitudes towards sex offenders upon these ratings was also considered.

Results. Differences are identified between participants’ ratings when the offender is categorised as having an intellectual disability. More positive attitudes are associated with lower ratings of several factors.

Conclusions. Individuals with overly positive attitudes towards sex offenders could underestimate the risk posed by sex offenders with intellectual disability. These results are important to consider alongside the NHS Transforming Care Agenda.

Citation

Steans, J., & Duff, S. (2020). Perceptions of sex offenders with intellectual disability: a comparison of forensic staff and the general public. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(4), 711-719. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12467

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 27, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 15, 2018
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Deposit Date: Apr 4, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: May 15, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
• Print ISSN: 1360-2322
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-3148
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 711-719
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12467
• Keywords: Attitudes towards Sex Offenders; ATS; Intellectual disability; Sex offenders with an intellectual disability
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/932799
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jar.12467
• Contract Date: Apr 4, 2018