A Comparison of Sex Offenders and Other Types of Offenders Referred to Intellectual Disability Forensic Services

Abstract

This study compared 131 sex offenders with ID and 346 other types of offenders with ID using case file records. All the females in the study were non sexual offenders. Significantly more sexual offenders were referred from court and criminal justice services while significantly fewer were referred from secondary healthcare. A higher percentage of sex offenders had some form of legal status at time of referral. Greater proportions of non sexual offenders were referred for aggression, damage to property, substance abuse and fire setting while only the sex offenders had an index sex offence. For previous offending, the non sexual offenders had higher rates of aggression, cruelty and neglect of children, property damage and substance abuse while the sexual offenders had higher rates of previous sexual offending. For psychiatric disturbance and adversity in childhood, only ADHD showed a significant difference between groups with the non sexual offenders recording higher rates.

Key words:

• characteristics
• intellectual disability
• non sex offenders
• sex offenders

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the UK Department of Health National Forensic Health research and development Programme – research grant no. MRD/12/45.

Note: Copies of the proforma for data collection are available from billlindsay@castlebeck. com.