Stumbling into sexual crime: the passive perpetrator in accounts by male internet sex offenders.

Public reactions to internet child offending remain ambivalent in that, while there is vocal condemnation of contact child sex offending, there is less indignation about internet child abuse. This is potentially due to a lack of recognition of this type of offence as sexual offending per se. This ambiguity is reflected by internet sex offenders themselves in their verbalizations of their offending. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the accounts offered by seven individuals convicted of internet-based sexual offences involving the downloading and viewing of images of children. In particular, this article presents an analysis of the explanations of offenders for the commencement of internet activity and the progression to more illicit online materials. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using discursive methods, paying close attention to language use and function. The analysis documented the practices that internet child abusers employed in order to manage their identities, distance themselves from the label of sex offender, and/or reduce their personal agency and accountability. Implications of this analysis are discussed with reference to the current minimization of the downloading of sexually explicit images of children as a sexual crime per se by the public and offenders alike and the risk assessment and treatment of individuals convicted of these offences

UK-based police officers' perceptions of, and role in investigating, cyber-harassment as a crime

Within the UK, cyber-harassment is a criminal act and perpetrators can be prosecuted if the crime is reported to the police. Cyber-harassment has a detrimental impact and causes psychological distress to victims but due to its online nature, complaints made may not be taken seriously and the impact may not be fully acknowledged. Police officers' perceptions of this crime and its victims are crucial as this will impact on how the crime is investigated and whether perpetrators are prosecuted. The present exploratory study aimed to gain insight into how cyber-harassment is investigated and identify issues and barriers. Eight police officers based in the United Kingdom were recruited using a snowball technique to participate in semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and three themes were identified: online accessibility, threat, and the unhelpful victim. Each theme is discussed in relation to theory, policy and legislation within the UK

'Better as a Buddhist': an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the reflections on the religious beliefs of Buddhist men serving a prison sentence for a sexual offence

This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the accounts offered by individuals (n=7) convicted of a sexual offence who describe themselves as Buddhists. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews within a custodial environment and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). This paper presents the two superordinate themes that emerged from the data: (i) Better as a Buddhist and (ii) Ebb and Flow. Reflections and analysis from the Buddhist prison chaplain are integrated within the analysis of prisoner-participant data. Implications of the analysis are discussed with reference to interventions that use Buddhist principles, factors that underpin factors that help reduce reoffending and those that fit with the formation of a desistance narrative for religious individuals who have committed sexual offences

Work–family enrichment of firefighters: "satellite family members", risk, trauma and family functioning

Purpose: Traditionally, research exploring the work–family interface has focussed on two perspectives: the organisation and the employee. The third perspective of the family has been largely neglected. This has also been the case with emergency responders. Arguably, the social support that emergency responders receive from their families maintains the health and well-being of the emergency responders. There has been more literature focussing on family members of police and ambulance staff, but less is known about the experiences of the families of firefighters. This study, therefore, aims to explore the occupation-related consequences for families of firefighters to establish what could be done to preserve this important source of social support. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach was needed to understand the perspective of relatives of firefighters. Grounded theory was used to analyse interviews of family members of firefighters. Findings: Important concepts to families of firefighters include the management of emotional contagion from their firefighter, their sophisticated perceptions of physical and emotional risk, their ability to make things work around a satellite family member, detail of the sacrifices they make and the social support from other firefighters' families. Research limitations/implications: The findings highlight the rich understanding and benefits offered when fire and rescue services and researchers consider the family perspective of the work–family interface within this context to develop a rich supportive dynamic between the organisation, the employee and their family. Practical implications: Findings from this study are considered to inform the development of a positive resource ecology within fire and rescue services. Where work-family enrichment positively informs the interventions and practical approaches organisations can use to enhance the wellbeing of their employees, by acknowledging other life domains. Originality/value: The contribution to theoretical perspectives on the work–family interface, as well as the informed understanding of occupational consequences of the firefighting occupation on relatives, offers a unique contribution to the literature

Researcher-practitioner reflections: the therapeutic utility of the Visually Adapted Repertory Grid Technique (VARGT) with stalkers

Purpose: This paper outlines researcher-practitioner reflections on the use of a Visually Adapted Repertory Grid Technique (VARGT) with men convicted of stalking. It draws on and assimilates participant experiences of the VARGT as a research engagement tool. Further, it extends discussion to propose its value as a generic engagement tool for when personal insights and collaborative case formulations may otherwise be difficult to access. Approach: The repertory grid technique, developed from Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory (1955), was adapted for use in a mixed methods research study undertaken with those who commit stalking offences (see Wheatley, 2019, p. 77). Analytical and reflexivity processes within this original study highlighted rich and recurrent data across the sample pertaining to the positive participant experience of the VARGT, unrelated to its core research question. Findings: This paper presents reflections and psychological discussion for experiences of using the VARGT. Key features clustered around therapeutic alliance and engagement, enlightenment, and a motivation for positive change. Practice implications: This paper suggests the VARGT has value in participant-client engagement, particularly where sensitive topics are investigated and participants have difficulty directly articulating their psychosocial functioning. Originality/value: This novel technique offers potential as an engagement tool for use in research and clinical settings

Using a Visually Adapted Repertory Grid Technique (VARGT) with people who stalk

Purpose: This manuscript aims to provide instructions on how to implement an adapted version of the standard Repertory Grid Technique (the VARGT). The purpose of which is to provide practitioners with a tool which enables active engagement by participants in research and clinical practice. This tool has been utilised effectively with people convicted of stalking offences. Approach: Repertory grids, developed from Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory (1955), had never been utilised with those who stalk, either clinically or in a research context. Visual and kinaesthetic adaptations were made to standard RGT procedures (see Grice, 2002; Tan and Hunter, 2002), for use in a mixed methods research study (see Wheatley, 2019, p. 77) due to expected challenges in engaging with this group. This manuscript presents theoretical underpinnings and step-by-step instructions for practical application. Findings: The VARGT is easy to administer and produces rich data, in both qualitative and quantitative formats. This adapted approach encourages active participation and an interpreted therapeutic collaboration (see Wheatley, Winder, and Kuss, in press). Originality/value: This novel technique has engaged men convicted of stalking offences collaboratively in research activities and showed potential for its use as a clinical tool. This instructional technical paper allows the technique to be replicated

"You want to catch the biggest thing going in the ocean": a qualitative analysis of intimate partner stalking

This study employs a qualitative phenomenological exploration of the “lived” experiences of male intimate partner stalking (IPS) perpetrators serving a custodial sentence in the United Kingdom for an offense related to intimate partner violence (IPV). The purpose of this study is to capture the nature and complexity of the experiences of the pathway to IPS from the perspective of the perpetrator. The study seeks to provide a unique understanding of how IPS perpetrators attribute meaning to their behavior, illuminating the underpinning cognitive characteristics and emotions that play a role in their behavior. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven men with a history of IPS behavior. The resultant transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Five superordinate themes reflecting participants’ experiences were identified: (a) “The quest for attention and affection creating connection,”(b) “Conflicted identity and extremes of self,” (c) “My life, a film set,” (d) “Gameplaying: One step ahead,” and (e) “Severed connections, changing the Gameplay.” The findings are presented in relation to the existing literature and theoretical frameworks which seek to explain stalking perpetration. The analysis provides a greater understanding of men who have engaged in IPS behavior, demonstrating how hearing the perspective of the perpetrator has value in informing theory and intervention. The study has provided valuable insight into the cognitive characteristics of this population and a rich understanding of the profiles of men who have engaged in IPS behavior. Implications for forensic practice, policy, and research are outlined, and recommendations for future research and overall limitations are discussed

The relationship between neuroticism and intelligence scores among a Libyan student sample

The study examined the impact of Neuroticism on an individual's intelligence among a Libyan student sample. Seventy-five students aged between 15 to 25 years, completed the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale (WBIS the Arabic version) and the Neurotic Behaviour Scale (NBS) to provide measures of Intelligence and Neuroticism scores, respectively. The results showed little difference in either sex or age with regard to differences in neuroticism scores. Furthermore, the findings revealed that there were no significant differences between the three different levels of neuroticism scores and the individuals' performance on the WBIS intelligence scales. However, the scaled scores of the High-neuroticism group on the WBIS subtests were more scatter than other groups and were clinically significant on Arithmetic, Information and Digit Symbol. The results indicated that there were significant negative correlations between neuroticism and Arithmetic, Information and the Picture Completion scale. The role of gender appeared through the differences between males and females in the correlation coefficients between neuroticism and the WBIS scores, not just in the size but also in the direction of the correlation

Reducing reoffending and increasing community (re)integration: effective practice when people have a sexual conviction

This evidence review provides an in-depth look at the issue of reducing reoffending and increasing community (re)integration for people who have a sexual conviction. Professor Belinda Winder has been a prominent researcher in this area for over 15 years. She is also a co-founder of the Safer Living Foundation, a charity set up in 2014 to conduct (and evaluate) initiatives that help to prevent further victims of sexual crime. The review sets out in detail the 13 key factors that are relevant in creating effective practice to reduce sexual recidivism and promote community integration. Professor Winder shows how these two aims are closely aligned and the review makes an excellent benchmark for those looking to establish, improve or evaluate a service targeted at people who commit sexual offences