ABSTRACT

The term ‘mentally disordered sexual offender’ (MDSO) is used to describe individuals who have committed sexual offences and who have co-morbid major mental disorders (not including substance or personality disorders). This important distinction must be considered when formulating a treatment plan to manage an offender’s risk in the community. This special category of sexual offender has emerged with the trans-institutionalisation seen over the past four decades. MDSOs require a specialised approach for effective risk management and treatment, both in custody and in the community. This chapter will describe the trans-institutionalisation phenomenon, the prevalence of major mental disorders among sexual offenders, and the special considerations and approaches for MDSOs.