Citation

Farmer M, McAlinden AM, Maruna S. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2016; 60(15): 1756-1775.

Affiliation

Queen's University, Belfast, UK The University of Manchester, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X16668175

PMID

27669732

Abstract

Sex offending is typically understood from a pathology perspective with the origin of the behavior thought to be within the offending individual. Such a perspective may not be beneficial for those seeking to desist from sexual offending and reintegrate into mainstream society. A thematic analysis of 32 self-narratives of men convicted of sexual offences against children suggests that such individuals typically explain their pasts utilizing a script consistent with routine activity theory, emphasizing the role of circumstantial changes in both the onset of and desistance from sexual offending. It is argued that the self-framing of serious offending in this way might be understood as a form of "shame management," a protective cognition that enables desistance by shielding individuals from internalizing stigma for past violence.

© The Author(s) 2016.

Language: en