Reconsidering Sex Crimes and Offenders

This examination of our nation’s sex crime laws and the social attitudes behind them argues that many citizens are being pursued as sex offenders for nonviolent and oftentimes consensual sexual behaviors.Cutting through the hysteria and hype, Reconsidering Sex Crimes and Offenders: Prosecution or Persecution? argues that while convicted violent sex offenders certainly should be punished, many laws targeting minor sexual offenses are outdated, overly severe, and too concerned with satisfying public outrage driven by distortions, misconceptions, and sensationalistic media coverage.Reconsidering Sex Crimes and Offenders is sure to challenge readers’ understanding of who a sex offender is, how they should be treated, and how best to protect the community from such offenders. The book looks at how the legal definitions of certain offenses have changed over time and then explores a series of real-life case studies. Readers will discover how some citizens have been targeted and punished for consensual acts—including homosexuality, polygamy, and pornography. Additional coverage considers a number of highly controversial laws—from residency restrictions to the death penalty—and the media’s role in fueling public support for them.Case studies showing the effects of over-criminalizing nonviolent sexual behaviorsTwo contributors—one a professor of criminology, the other a sexologist focusing on sexual behaviorA chronology of important dates in the history of prosecuting sex crimes in the United StatesA bibliography of sources for further reading on all aspects of sexual behavior, and the legal and social response to sex offenders

"Two contributors, one a professor of criminology and the other a sexologist, challenge readers’ assumptions about sex offenders in this examination of US law on sex crimes and the social attitudes behind them. They argue that many citizens are being pursued as sex offenders for nonviolent and even consensual sexual behaviors, such as homosexuality, polygamy, and prostitution. The first chapter looks at how religion, medicine, and social science have contributed to the definition of sexual offending. Sexual offenses and offenders of different categories are then described. The rest of the book analyzes real-life case studies, and considers the role of sensationalistic media coverage in creating public support for controversial laws. A bibliography offers sources for further reading on all aspects of sexual behavior, and on the legal and social response to sex offenders." - Reference & Research Book News, "Well-referenced and clearly presented, this book provides information that if widely known would result in more sensible laws. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers." - Choice, "In sum, Zilney and Zilney’s work takes a practical clinical focus, reviews relevant legislation, and integrates case examples and research. The book would be of potential interest to probably a wide audience, including clinicians from various training backgrounds who work with sex offenders, academics in the social sciences, or legal professionals.... In terms of its use in the classroom, the book could be a useful text or supplement for courses from a variety of fields. In particular, its critical examination of the gendered social construction of sexual behavior norms would make it a suitable text for courses featuring topics in gender issues. Perhaps one of the biggest strengths of the book, though, is the humanizing lens through which it views these men (and women and youth) who have problems with their sexual behavior, some more serious than others, and who come in contact with the law. The take home message resonates powerfully that these individuals are above all people first, and much more than simply their worst personal problem." - Sex Roles

Lisa Anne Zilney is associate professor in the Department of Justice Studies at Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ.Laura J. Zilney is a sexologist with a private practice near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.