Abstract
The number of sex offenses, particularly those involving children, has risen dramatically in the last few years, and the handling of sex offenders is thus the focus of new concern. A review of statutes and legal cases indicates that special processing of sex offenders, particularly child sexual abusers, has had a long history in the criminal justice/mental health system. Until the late 1970s, most emphasis was concentrated on the rights of defendants in the disposition of cases under sexual psychopath statutes. Since that time, the trend has been toward the repeal of these statutes and the expansion of legislation which attempts to improve the probability of successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases and ease the difficulties of child victims in the courtroom. The lack of research in this area is discussed, and directions for future policy research are indicated.
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