Legislation in Victoria on sexual offenders: issues for health professionals.
New legislation passed in Victoria (the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005) extends the role of doctors in managing and treating sex offenders. This legislation is not based on a solid understanding of the research evidence on treatment of sex offenders or on their risk of reoffending. The legislation creates ethical and professional dilemmas for health professionals through the conflation of legal control of offenders with the medical management of disorders of sexual preference. There is a critical need for research and funding in this area, rather than ever more oppressive laws, if governments are to be serious about treating sex offenders, rather than simply incarcerating them.
Sullivan
Danny H
DH
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Monash University, Locked Bag 10, Fairfield, VIC 3078, Australia. danny.sullivan@forensicare.vic.gov.au
Mullen
Paul E
PE
Pathé
Michele T
MT
D016265:Conflict of Interest; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014739:Victoria