Victim-survivors' perspectives on post-custodial measures for people with convictions for sexual offending

Woman outdoors on bridge looking at her mobile phone
Abstract

This paper presents results from a study that investigated the perspectives of victim-survivors about post-custodial measures for people with convictions for sexual offending (PCSOs). It addressed the question: what are victim-survivors’ reasons for supporting or opposing a wide range of PCSO post-custodial measures?

The study involved qualitative interviews with 26 victim-survivors of sexual violence. It found that victim-survivors were supportive of PCSOs being subject to a range of measures, including electronic monitoring, (non-public) sex offender registers, psychological interventions, parole supervision and Circles of Support and Accountability. In contrast, victim-survivors had very mixed views about public sex offender registers. The study emphasises the importance of considering victim-survivor perspectives in shaping post-custodial interventions for PCSOs.

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