Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

International approaches to the management of perpetrators of sexual harm policy: Preventative, practical, or political?

McCartan, Kieran; Gotch, Katherine

Authors

Kieran McCartan Kieran.Mccartan@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Sociology and Criminology

Katherine Gotch



Contributors

Jean Proulx
Editor

Franca Cortoni
Editor

Leam A Craig
Editor

Elizabeth J Letourneau
Editor

Abstract

The issue of sexual abuse is a global socio‐political one, which means that, despite international differences in policy and practice surrounding sexual abuse, the creation and implementation of these policies and practices are politically sensitive. This chapter will critically consider the risk management strategies that are “common” internationally (including imprisonment, community supervision, treatment, registration, notification/disclosures, and residence restrictions); in doing so, we will highlight that, despite international
differences in regard to punitivism, all sexual offense‐related policies and practices are rooted in a common frame of public protection and risk management. The chapter will also highlight the collateral consequences of these policies on the individuals who experience them, and what that means with respect to public protection and risk management. The chapter will close with a discussion of how the emerging discourse of prevention fits within a risk management framework—can we balance punitiveness and prevention in a global political landscape that often caters to a public that demands punishment while hoping for prevention and rehabilitation?

Citation

McCartan, K., & Gotch, K. (2020). International approaches to the management of perpetrators of sexual harm policy: Preventative, practical, or political?. In J. Proulx, F. Cortoni, L. A. Craig, & E. J. Letourneau (Eds.), The Wiley Handbook on What Works with Sexual Offenders: Contemporary Perspectives in Theory, Assessment, Treatment and Prevention (441-454). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119439325.ch25

Acceptance Date Feb 22, 2020
Online Publication Date Jun 12, 2020
Publication Date Jun 22, 2020
Deposit Date Mar 4, 2020
Publisher Wiley
Pages 441-454
Series Title What Works in Offender Rehabilitation
Book Title The Wiley Handbook on What Works with Sexual Offenders: Contemporary Perspectives in Theory, Assessment, Treatment and Prevention
Chapter Number 25
ISBN 9781119439455
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119439325.ch25
Keywords community engagement; risk management policies; sexual abuse; sexual harm policy
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5605026
Publisher URL https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Handbook+of+What+Works+with+Sexual+Offenders-p-9781119439455