The demonized other: Responding to ex-prisoners with convictions for child sexual offences

Child sexual abuse and various state institutions’ failures to prevent such abuse have been subject to heightened public interest in recent times. If the ensuing calls for a comprehensive reassessment of our ability to best protect children are to be met, this process of critical scrutiny should include asking uncomfortable questions about the response that convicted sexual offenders receive in the community. This is a matter in which the probation services are well placed to make a contribution.