Descriptive study of sex offenders in an Ohio county probation department /

Abstract

Files were reviewed (n=l13) of sex offenders currently on probation in an Ohio county. Demographic information about the offender (age, gender, race, marital status, and employment status) and demographic information about their victim(s) (age and gender) were collected. The relationship between victim and offender was analyzed. The research compares the charges for arrest with those that the offender was convicted. Based on charges the offender was convicted, information about offender's registration status (based on Megan's Laws) was recorded. Findings indicated that the majority of sex offenders are white males, with full-time employment, and most have had no prior involvement in the criminal justice system. Typical sex offenders were either presently or previously married. Findings also documented that only a few sex offenders were convicted of the offence for which they were arrested. The majority of victims were female (race not stated) and minors. Victims and offenders were most commonly known to each other. Offenders' registration status was dependant upon the criminal offense in which they were convicted.