A look in the mirror: Sexual abuse professionals' perceptions about sex offenders

Abstract

Sex offender policies have been enacted based on anomalous cases of child abduction and murder, leading to public misperceptions about sex offenders, recidivism, and stranger danger. Professionals working in the sexual abuse field were surveyed to determine to what extent their knowledge and perceptions are consistent with current empirical literature. Professionals had accurate perceptions of the rates at which strangers victimize children and offenders come to the attention of authorities. Significant differences were found regarding perceptions of sex offense recidivism rates, treatment effectiveness, and sex offenders' history of childhood sexual abuse. Implications for treatment, training, and advocacy are discussed.