Punitiveness increased for all crimes but especially for sex crimes. We then examine whether sentencing is associated with rational criminal justice incentives (e.g., increasing seriousness or rates of sex crimes) or with shifting public concerns (e.g., increasing media attention to sexual violence). We examine sanctioning trends in Florida and compare punishment of sex offenders in earlier versus later parts of the get-tough era. This article tests two theoretical ideas: (1) that social concerns about particular “dangerous classes” of offenders shift over time to influence court sanctioning practices and (2) that, since the 1990s, sex offenders in particular came to be viewed by courts as one such “dangerous class.” Findings also raise questions about the virtue of get-tough sentencing policies that provide leeway for such dramatic variation across different groups of people.

Findings support theoretical arguments that contend that court decision-making is influenced by legally-irrelevant characteristics and raise questions about the source of gendered views of sex offenders and their effects on punishment approaches. These findings suggest that female sex offenders are treated more leniently than their matched male counterparts, even in instances of more serious sex offenses and those involving minor victims. Findings are similar across sex offense severity and whether the offense involved a minor victim. Specifically, male sex offenders are more likely to be sentenced to prison, and given longer terms, than female sex offenders. Results indicate that gender disparities in sex offender sentencing exist and are pervasive across sex offense types. We test this argument with precision matching analyses using 15 years of data on all felony sex offenders sentenced in a single state. This paper tests theoretical arguments that suggest court actors hold gendered views of sex offenders that result in a gender gap in sex offender punishment, where women who commit sexual offenses are treated more leniently than their male counterparts. Comprehensive approaches to community sexual offender management are examined in addition to suggestions of unique approaches intended to ensure citizen buy-in and engagement. This article reviews current policies and practices, with a specific focus on what happens when offenders are released to the community (e.g., how public policies intended to track offenders and/or restrict their movements can negatively affect community reintegration). Legislative authorities in the United States and elsewhere have also attempted to affect risk in the community with, perhaps, lesser degrees of success. Modern day technologies include actuarial risk assessment instruments, measures of criminogenic need and treatment progress, refinements to treatment processes, and the establishment of evidence-based models. Gains have also been made in regard to prevention and citizen education.

The past 30 years have been witness to considerable research and practice in the assessment, treatment, and risk management of persons who have sexually offended. Nonetheless, nonprofessionals continue to view sexual violence as a community safety issue fraught with risk and uncertainty.

Contemporary data from the United States show that rates of sexual offending and reoffending have been in steady decline for decades.

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