Robinson Laurie O
Distinguished Senior Scholar, Lee Center of Criminology, University of Pennsylvania (Washington Office), Washington, DC 20036, USA.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Jun;989:1-7.
Few issues within the crime policy arena are as volatile as those involving sex offending, yet there is an enormous "knowledge gap" between research, science, and clinical practice, on the one hand, and the policy and criminal justice practitioner communities, on the other. Recent highly publicized cases involving sex offending, which have elevated the issue in the public eye, provide an opportunity for experts in this field to play an aggressive role in informing this debate. In particular, high priority should be given to developing more effective means of communicating to policymakers, practitioners, the media, elected officials, and the public what is known from science and clinical practice about sex offending and about what works in addressing it. A strong commitment to greater cross-disciplinary collaboration is also needed, as is federal leadership, particularly in supporting a cross-department research agenda. Researchers and other experts in this field can play a valuable role in helping ensure rational and effective public policy relating to sex offending that can achieve public safety and help reduce future victimization.
犯罪政策领域内，很少有问题像涉及性犯罪的问题那样多变，然而，一方面，研究、科学和临床实践与另一方面的政策及刑事司法从业者群体之间存在着巨大的“知识差距”。近期备受关注的涉及性犯罪的案件，将这一问题推到了公众视野中，为该领域的专家在为这场辩论提供信息方面发挥积极作用提供了契机。特别是，应高度优先考虑开发更有效的沟通方式，向政策制定者、从业者、媒体、当选官员和公众传达科学和临床实践中关于性犯罪以及应对性犯罪有效方法的已知信息。还需要坚定致力于加强跨学科合作，联邦层面的领导也很有必要，尤其是在支持跨部门研究议程方面。该领域的研究人员和其他专家可以在帮助确保制定合理有效的与性犯罪相关的公共政策方面发挥宝贵作用，这些政策能够实现公共安全并有助于减少未来的受害情况。
