Exploring factors influencing attitudes of professionals and paraprofessionals towards individuals who have sexually offended: a systematic review

Professionals and paraprofessionals working with individuals who have sexually offended play a key role in assessment, treatment, supervision, and risk management within forensic mental health and criminal justice settings. Their attitudes and perceptions can influence professional decision making, engagement, and rehabilitative outcomes. Earlier research, including a systematic review of studies published between 1985 and 2015, identified several factors associated with such attitudes. Given developments in practice, research, and societal discourse, an updated review was required. This systematic review examined contemporary factors influencing the attitudes and perceptions of professionals and paraprofessionals toward individuals who have sexually offended. A systematic search identified 17 studies published between 2010 and 2025. Studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were synthesised using narrative analysis to allow comparison across diverse professional groups and methodologies. The review identified multiple factors associated with attitudes, including professional training, education, offence type, and knowledge. Demographic and personal variables such as gender, parenthood, religiosity, ethnicity, experience, and level of exposure, were also associated with attitudes, although findings varied across studies. Overall, attitudes appeared to be shaped by an interaction of professional and personal factors rather than single influences. The findings highlight the complexity of attitudes in this field and the need for further research, particularly qualitative work, to better understand how these influences operate within practice.