Ethics-Governance: Article: eMJA: Legislation in Victoria on sexual offenders: issues for health professionals

Articles indexes: a \| b \| c \| d \| e \| f \| g \| h \| i \| j \| k \| l \| m \| n \| o \| p \| q \| r \| s \| t \| u \| v \| w \| x \| y \| z \| other

Article - Abstract. To view full article click on the article title.
eMJA: 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. The Victorian State Government has introduced legislation to provide for extended supervision of some sexual offenders. The Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 20051 was enacted in June 2005. It permits an order to be made providing for up to 15 years of conditional supervision and “treatment” subsequent to the expiration of a criminal sentence or parole for a range of child sexual offences and bestiality (Box). Full Article: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_06_190905/sul10338_fm.html


2006 Ethics-Governance.com