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What's in a Name?

By Kent Scheidegger et al.

As mentioned previously, the idea that pedophilia is a mental illness on par with schizophrenia or other strongly biologically caused illnesses of the mind is weak. Yet that hasn't stopped many from suggesting otherwise. And when it comes to the civil commitment of sex offenders, the Supreme Court has concluded that a link between a mental abnormality and volitional control is necessary to justify commitment. To establish whether someone is a sexual predator, courts almost always rely on psychological experts to ascertain whether the criteria are met. Even if states retain considerable leeway in defining the mental abnormalities and personality disorders that make an individual eligible for commitment, the experts must utilize behavioral science to arrive at their conclusions...continue to full post

Full post as published by Crime and Consequences on March 19, 2008 (boomark / email).