Overview

What are the findings of the multi-year, state government-funded report of the PA Task Force on Child Pornography? And what are its recommendations?

Summary

In 2021 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed ACT 53 which established the Task Force on Child Pornography.

It directed the task force to “conduct a review to ascertain any inadequacies relating to the offense of child pornography in 18 PA CS 6312.

The report was finished and published in September of 2022.

What was the Focus of the Report of the PA Task Force on Child Pornography?

The report narrowed in on a number of issues related to CSAM offenses.

It reviewed the demographics of the individuals committing these crimes, assessed the newest research on recidivism, looked at SOAB assessments and surveyed law enforcement and prosecutors.

Who was included in the Report of the PA Task Force on Child Pornography?

Between 2014 and October of 2021, there were 2989 cases involving CSAM offenses with an average of 385 cases per year.

The majority of cases

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The post Summary of the Report of the PA Task Force on Child Pornography first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

What are the links between substance abuse, particularly alcohol, and sexual offending?

Summary

From a risk assessment perspective, it is rather generally accepted that substance abuse or addictions are dynamic risk factors for recidivism.

The post Substance Abuse and Sexual Offending first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

How do maladaptive coping mechanisms stemming from childhood trauma influence an offender’s behavior?

Summary

Many individuals who commit a sexual crime have a trauma history. The percentage depends on what research you look at.  We also know that many of them are also under the influence of a substance when they commit their offense.  Indeed, the Motivation Facilitation Model of Sexual Offending by Seto calls this a state facilitator.  Therefore, it is wise for evaluators and attorneys to have an understanding of the relationship between trauma and substance abuse. 

The post What is the relationship between trauma and substance abuse in men? first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

How does alcohol and substance abuse affect the likelihood of violent and/or sexual offenses?

Summary

This study, published in 2000, is considered very old by academic standards.  However, it is one of the first to address alcohol and drug abuse in sexual offenders using the standardized measures of the MAST and DAST.  Prior to this research, there was anecdotal evidence and conjecture about the role of substance abuse in sexual offending but no hard data. 

The post Substance Abuse Issues in Sexual Offenders first appeared on Mitigation Aide.