Individuals convicted of sexual offences are intensely vilified within society, evoking a sense of fear, hatred and punitiveness that is unique to this offender population. Most notably, public hostility and punitive attitudes have been found to predict an increase in sex offending recidivism. It is therefore necessary to gain more of an understanding as to how gender and mental illness influences public perceptions of sex offenders, as well as potential judgements and preconceptions behind these perceptions. A sample of 119 participants across four conditions (male sex offender: N = 31; female sex offender: N = 28, mentally ill male sex offender: N = 30, mentally ill female sex offender: N = 30) completed a series of online questionnaires assessing their perceptions of gender stereotypes, sex offenders, mental illness and mental flexibility. Participants also read a hypothetical scenario of a sexual assault, and provided their judgements of the offender’s degree of culpability, recidivism likelihood, amenability to change and necessary sentencing severity. Half of the participants were provided with an additional statement elaborating on the offender’s mental health, and were asked to re-evaluate their judgements. The results demonstrated that perpetrator gender did not play a significant role in judgements. However, mentally ill offenders were seen as less culpable, deserving of a shorter sentence but more likely to reoffend. These perceptions were predominantly influenced by attitudes towards sex offenders, as measured by the ATS-21, but also attitudes towards mental illness, male stereotypes and growth mindsets. The current study therefore highlights the complex nature of public perceptions towards sex offenders alongside the intense stigma attached to them. The societal implications and intervention methods are discussed, in the aim of reducing stigma and community hostility and in turn, reduce reoffending. The limitations are also discussed.
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