NCJ Number
176579
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 8 (1998) Issue: Dated: Pages: 66-76
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Sexual knowledge and the impact of sex education in a secure hospital setting was examined through a study of 96 male sex offenders and non-sex offenders in Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The participants were assessed for clinical purposes between 1984 and 1997, using a sexual knowledge questionnaire developed for the hospital. Forty-six participants subsequently took part in sex education programs. They completed the sexual knowledge questionnaire at the end of the program as well. The educational programs significantly improved the sexual knowledge of both sex offenders and non-sex offenders in special hospitals, as measured by the difference in sexual knowledge scores. Although this therapy is of particular relevance to sex offenders, findings did not confirm previous findings of a disproportionate deficit in sexual knowledge in sex offenders compared with other offenders. Although the number of participants was small and the results would require replication, findings suggested that sex education should be considered for all mentally disordered men who become offenders. Tables, figure, and 20 references (Author abstract modified)