Sex Offending and Situational Motivation: Findings From a Qualitative Analysis of Desistance From Sexual Offending. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farmer, Mark; McAlinden, Anne-Marie; Maruna, Shadd
• Other Names: Lussier Patrick guest-editor.; Harris Danielle Arlanda guest-editor.; McAlinden Anne-Marie guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology. Volume 60:Number 15(2016)
• Page Start: 1756
• Page End: 1775
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: desistance -- routine activity theory -- sex offending -- shame management -- situational motivation; Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Violent offenders -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Periodicals; 364.3
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X16668175
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-624X

Abstract

Sex offending is typically understood from a pathology perspective with the origin of the behavior thought to be within the offending individual. Such a perspective may not be beneficial for those seeking to desist from sexual offending and reintegrate into mainstream society. A thematic analysis of 32 self-narratives of men convicted of sexual offences against children suggests that such individuals typically explain their pasts utilizing a script consistent with routine activity theory, emphasizing the role of circumstantial changes in both the onset of and desistance from sexual offending. It is argued that the self-framing of serious offending in this way might be understood as a form of "shame management, " a protective cognition that enables desistance by shielding individuals from internalizing stigma for past violence.