Review article
https://doi.org/10.31299/ksi.29.2.4
Influence of myths and stereotypes on social treatment of perpetrators of sexual offenses
Snježana Maloić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3899-0559
; Ministarstvo pravosuđa i uprave, Uprava za zatvorski sustav i probaciju
Abstract
Foreign literature abounds with significant criticism of certain popular modern trends of sanctioning perpetrators of sexual offenses, by emphasizing the significant influence of myths and stereotypes on such trends and the application of exclusively punitive and insufficiently effective interventions. The aims of this paper are to examine and recap, based on available scientific and expert literature, some of the most important myths and stereotypes associated with sexual offenses and perpetrators, point out possible adverse effects on prevention of criminal recidivism, and emphasize and argue the importance of efforts to overcome them. Along with a critical review of existing trends, statistical data from relevant sources, research results and current knowledge are preliminary systematized and presented, elaborating the realistic state-of-the-play in relation to the public perception not founded on scientific evidence. Within the scope of critical review, the option to introduce foreign punitive trends in Croatian legislation and penological practices is analyzed, accompanied with the concluding remarks advocating the Croatian model. In view of the necessity to overcome myths and stereotypes, the paper may be seen as a potential conceptual framework of educational interventions and/or as a likely fundamental determinant for targeted communication with the media and public, but also as a kind of incentive and starting point for scientific research on this issue in the Croatian context.
Keywords
sexual offenses; stereotypes; myths; criminal recidivism; education
Hrčak ID:
269319
URI
Publication date:
28.12.2021.
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