ABSTRACT
In recent decades a great deal of discussion about sex crimes, and dealing with sex o enders and with victims of sexual assaults, above all rape, has taken place in many countries. Almost every week the media report cruel sex o enses; sometimes it seems that other topics are peripheral to this in the news [e.g., Amann and Wipplinger, 2002]. In some European countries,
this rising interest has been caused by a small number of severe cases of sexual abuse and murder of children, most sensationally the Dutroux scandal in Belgium. In that case, a number of men abused and murdered children; subsequently, severe investigation faults came to light, with strong rami cations not only in Belgium but also on public opinion elsewhere in Europe. e ensuing discussion not only focused on the sex o enders themselves; it also became dangerous for policymakers because of negligence and failure by o ce holders.
