Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global public health problem. Assessing public attitudes toward child sex offenders is important since public opinions have affected judicial decision-making regarding sex offender management policies and laws. Study objectives were to assess university students’ perceptions of offenders before and after a Sex Crimes Against Children course, and examine the potential anti-stigmatizing effect of interacting directly with people who had committed sex crimes. Compared with a previous study where only indirect contact was available, students who had direct contact with offenders reported more positive affective responses, had more positive attitudes toward sex offender treatment and rehabilitation, along with lower support for post-sentencing policies. Findings support the humanizing impact of interacting with members of the stigmatized group. Better informed public opinion is essential to support evidence-based crime prevention policies and ultimately prevent CSA.

摘要

儿童性虐待 (CSA) 是一个全球性的公共卫生问题。评估公众对儿童性犯罪者的态度很重要，因为公众舆论影响了有关性犯罪者管理政策和法律的司法决策。研究目标是评估大学生在性犯罪针对儿童课程之前和之后对犯罪者的看法，并检查与性犯罪者直接互动的潜在反污名化效果。与之前仅提供间接接触的研究相比，与犯罪者直接接触的学生报告了更积极的情感反应，对性犯罪者的治疗和康复有更积极的态度，以及对判刑后政策的支持较低。调查结果支持与被污名化群体成员互动的人性化影响。更好地了解公众舆论对于支持循证预防犯罪政策并最终防止 CSA 至关重要。