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Abstract: The media sometimes present certain myths related to sex offenders that run contrary to the data supported by empirical research, such as identifying sex offenders as being compulsive, homogenous, specialists, and incapable of benefiting from treatment. These myths affect the public's overall perception of sex offenders and their crimes, which, in turn, can influence public policy. The literature suggests that television news presents several myths about sex crimes and sex offenders; however, research on whether the print media perpetuate these myths is limited. This exploratory study seeks to begin filling this gap in the literature by examining the presentation of sex offender myths in newspaper articles. Employing content analysis, this study evaluated a sample of 334 articles published in 2009 in newspapers across the United States for the presence of sex offender myths. Sex offender myths were not significantly related to the type of article, region of publication, victim age or gender, or the type of offense. Myths were, however, significantly associated with articles reporting on various types of sex offender policies, often in a manner which runs contrary to empirical research. The legal and policy implications of these findings are explored.
Keywords: criminal justice policy, crime and media, sex crimes, sex offenders
INTRODUCTION
Sexually-based crimes against children spark a sense of alarm and urgency among the public. This public response is exacerbated when the media sensationalizes cases involving the abduction and sexual victimization of children, especially those that tragically end in a child's murder (Katz-Schiavone et al. 2008). But such child abductions by strangers are rare. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (n.d.) estimates that roughly 115 children per year are the victims of kidnappings by strangers who hold the child overnight, transport the child 50 miles or more, kill the child, demand ransom, or intend to keep the child permanently (see also Sedlak et al. 2002). In contrast, young children are killed by drunk drivers and as a result of "physical abuse or neglect perpetrated by their own parents or caretakers" at exponentially higher rates (Levenson and D'Amora, 2007: 179).
Media coverage of child sexual victimization fuels the public's morbid fascination with sex offenders who target children (Hanson et al. 2002; Levenson and D'Amora 2007; Lösel and Schmucker...