Collateral Effects of the Media on Sex Offender Reintegration: Perceptions of Sex Offenders, Professionals, and the Lay Public

Abstract

Sexual offending results in devastating consequences for victims and is of great concern to the public; prevention of re-offending is therefore an important endeavour. No formal reintegration system is in place for sex offenders and often the media sensationalizes stories about these offenders, which can indirectly affect their opportunities for reintegration into the community and thereby impact factors related to recidivism. Because the media has a remarkable influence on public views and frequently draws attention to sex offenders, it is important to study the role it plays in offender reintegration. The proposed study surveyed sex offenders, professionals who work with them, and university students on their perceptions of how the media portrays sex offenders and the effects of these portrayals on sex offender reintegration. Results and implications of the findings are discussed.