Attitudes of University Students Toward Individuals Who Have Committed Sexual Crimes: The Role of Sociodemographic and Personality Variables

Abstract

Understanding the attitudes of justice-related students toward individuals who have committed sexual crimes (ICSC) is crucial, as they will likely work with them. This study examines the attitudes of 418 Portuguese University students in psychology, criminology, and law toward ICSC and their rehabilitation, exploring variations based on sociodemographic and personality variables. Participants completed the Attitudes toward Sex Offenders Scale, the Attitudes toward Treatment of Sex Offenders Scale, and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Students generally hold negative attitudes toward ICSC and their rehabilitation, with criminology students expressing the most positive attitudes. Regression analyses reveal that those who oppose rehabilitation also hold negative attitudes toward ICSC, and lower openness, agreeableness, and negative attitudes toward ICSC are linked to unfavorable attitudes toward rehabilitation. These findings highlight the need to enhance education about this population and their rehabilitation in higher education to better prepare future professionals for effective and compassionate work with ICSC.