Since the end of the 20th century, public attention regarding sex crimes has increased dramatically. The impetus for this increase was a collection of highly publicized cases in which young children were abducted, raped, or even murdered by someone with whom they were not acquainted. This entry will provide information regarding the types of sex offenders, legislation aimed at preventing new sex crimes, treatment, and myths about the sex offender population

Male sex offenders constitute a heterogeneous group of individuals whose offenses range from noncontact crimes such as exhibitionism or viewing child pornography, to contact offenses including child molestation, sexual assault, and rape. Regardless of the offense, sex offenders commit crimes for various reasons, many for nonsexual reasons. In recent years, researchers have come to understand ...