| “There [is] an ongoing controversy as to whether sex offending against children is a pathology- a stable and deviant disposition, or a form of criminality-a general antisocial, exploitative style of personal interaction” (Canter et al 1998, p532-533). Critically discuss and consider the influence of theoretical ideas/explanations of sexual offending on policy and practice.This title requires you to think about whether child sexual offending is a compulsion, something that the individual cannot control, or is it a behaviour, which is perhaps more susceptible to change? What are the implications of thinking about child sexual offending in these different ways when it comes to addressing this form of offending? Introduction – Demonstrate your understanding of the core task and the different aspects of the debate, define key terms. Highlight Canter et al’s argument in more detail. Choose 1-2 theoretical criminological explanations of child sexual offending which would support the idea that it is innate and a compulsion and critically evaluate these explanations. Choose 1-2 theoretical criminological explanations of child sexual offending which would support the idea that child sexual offend is a form of criminality that has developed and which may in the future be susceptible to change. Critically evaluate these explanations. It is likely that you find ideas which span both sides of the debate, this is also ok. You can deal with one side of the debate then the other, or structure your discussion as a more ping pong style, either approach is fine. Does one side of the debate dominate more than the other when it comes to political, social and media driven perceptions of sexual offenders? Discuss the implications of thinking about child sexual offending in these different ways in terms of policy and practice. How are these ideas reflected in our response to child sexual offending (i.e. restrictive versus rehabilitative methods)? What would work, following on from these explanations, to address sexual offending in the longer term? You can cite some practice examples if you wish. Conclusion – summarise your salient points and their strengths/weaknesses. |
