A/Prof. Danielle Harris1, Dr James Ogilvie, Dr Lisa Thomsen, Ms Amanda Bodker, Ms Renae Pepper
1Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
Danielle Harris is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University and a Future Fellow with the Australian Research Council (2025-2029). Her research examines sexual aggression through a developmental and life course perspective, examining onset, specialisation, versatility, desistance, and related public policy. Her work in the United States (2001-2016) was funded by the Guggenheim Foundation and the California Sex Offender Management Board. Since returning to Australia, her research has been funded by Westpac Bank, ANROWS and NCACSA. She is the sole author of an award-winning book (Desistance from Sexual Offending; ANZSOC book award).
Abstract:
Emerging adulthood (EA; 18-25 years) is now well-established in scientific literature as a distinct life stage, qualitatively different from both adolescence and adulthood. EA is not only the apex of the age-crime curve for general offending, but also a period during which sexual offending both initiates and consolidates for many individuals. Growing research from neuroscience, developmental psychology, epidemiology, and criminology, supports the need for dedicated services that target EAs who are known to have engaged in harmful sexual behaviours (HSB). Young people under 25 face a gap in service provision in which they are too old for youth-specific programs (premised on family involvement and developmental protection), yet psychosocially distinct from the populations for whom adult sexual offending programs were designed.
This presentation summarises the findings of a rapid evidence review and stakeholder consultation that assessed the need to expand current community-based programs to serve 18–25-year-olds who are known to have engaged in harmful sexual behaviours (HSB). Our findings suggest that well timed, trauma-informed, and community-based interventions can be highly effective in facilitating healthy and offence-free lives. We outline the rationale for providing a service to Emerging Adults within the contemporary Australian landscape and present a comprehensive list of recommendations to ensure the most successful outcomes for the community. Collectively, the recommendations contained in this presentation support a shift from predominantly punitive responses toward prevention-oriented, evidence-informed, and developmentally appropriate approaches that can both enhance community safety and support positive outcomes for young people and their families.