This comprehensive book examines the unique characteristics of sexual offenses and the resulting laws that pertain specifically to them, including the causes and treatment of sexual offenses as well as the policy implications of research outcomes. Sexual offenders are often treated differently than other offenders (by both the community and the criminal justice system) as a result of public scorn and recidivism. This distinctive book provides you with thorough, research-based coverage of this inherently controversial subject.

Karen Terry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Executive Officer of the Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice of The Graduate Center, CUNY, at John Jay. She holds a doctorate in criminology from Cambridge University. Dr. Terry has several publications on sex offender treatment, management, and supervision, including: SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION: A "MEGAN'S LAW" SOURCEBOOK (Civic Research Institute), and SEXUAL OFFENSES AND OFFENDERS. She has been involved with numerous research projects regarding sexual offenses and offenders. Most recently, she was the principal investigator for a national study on the nature and scope of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church from 1950-2002, and she is continuing research on the causes and context of the abuse crisis. Karen is also the editor of the periodical Sex Offender Law Report, published bi-monthly by the Civic Research Institute.