NCJ Number
95467
Date Published
1984
Length
171 pages
Annotation
Protecting the citizens of Florida from sexual assault involves changing the sentencing and treatment of sex offenders and establishing a clearinghouse to provide research, training, public education, and coordination of State efforts in abuse prevention, treatment, and sentencing.
Abstract
Only about 10 percent of those arrested for sex offenses in 1982 were sentenced to prison; another 10 percent were sentenced to probation. However, about 2 to 3 times this number are identified by other authorities, and about 10 times this number escape detection. Task force recommendations include delaying final sentencing for sex offenders until after treatment, so that an offender's treatment response can be considered at sentencing and more effective treatment can be provided. The current residential Mentally Disordered Sex Offender (MDSO) programs should be supported and expanded, because most current treatment for sex offenders is provided outside of State auspices and is not coordinated with the State's residential treatment efforts. In addition, pilot projects should be phased in to provide treatment programs for juvenile sex offenders and their families, halfway house treatment, education on sexual abuse for school children, and more treatment programs for victims and their families. Also needed are an information and training clearinghouse, training for professionals who work with victims and offenders, and a citizen advisory board. Tabular data, a 57-item bibliography, trip reports, survey results, and task force work statements are supplied. The text of a model MDSO statute is also included.