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FEMALE SEXUAL OFFENDERS-AN UNDEREXAMINED POPULATION
Title
FEMALE SEXUAL OFFENDERS-AN UNDEREXAMINED POPULATION.
Creator
Dunton, Creaig Anthony, Holmes, Stephen T., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Sex crimes are considered to be among the most damaging and heinous forms of social deviance in existence. Besides the acts perpetrated by the offenders, the social stigma attached to being victimized is often just as injurious to the victim. Society sees males as the sole perpetrators of acts of sexual abuse, but this is not the case. The extant literature shows that women, while fewer in number, also perpetrate acts of sexual abuse and assault against other adults and children.This thesis...
Show moreSex crimes are considered to be among the most damaging and heinous forms of social deviance in existence. Besides the acts perpetrated by the offenders, the social stigma attached to being victimized is often just as injurious to the victim. Society sees males as the sole perpetrators of acts of sexual abuse, but this is not the case. The extant literature shows that women, while fewer in number, also perpetrate acts of sexual abuse and assault against other adults and children.This thesis is a preliminary typology that classifies female sexual offenders based upon the acts perpetrated, using cases presented in the extant literature. The pre-existing typologies that have been developed come largely from the psychiatric community, and therefore are classified on motivation rather than acts.While this is by no means a complete typology, it is an essential first step in learning more about this underexamined population.
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Date Issued
2004
Identifier
CFE0000030, ucf:46114
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000030
EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY CHANGEON TASER UTILIZATIONS
Title
EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY CHANGEON TASER UTILIZATIONS.
Creator
Miller, Michael, Holmes, Stephen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of organizational policy changes within the Use-of-Force Continuum on taser usage and officer's perceptions of taser effectiveness. Tasers have been used by police since the 1970s and their use is increasing as the technology has improved. Data reveals that tasers are beneficial for controlling non-compliant suspects while preventing serious injuries and rarely has their use resulted in death. Much of the public controversy surrounding...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of organizational policy changes within the Use-of-Force Continuum on taser usage and officer's perceptions of taser effectiveness. Tasers have been used by police since the 1970s and their use is increasing as the technology has improved. Data reveals that tasers are beneficial for controlling non-compliant suspects while preventing serious injuries and rarely has their use resulted in death. Much of the public controversy surrounding tasers centers on when and how often officers deploy them. Use of force data from 890 police citizen encounters during a two-year period was analyzed to examine how changes in organizational policy have affected taser deployments and how policy changes have affected taser use. The study's findings support that after the policy change, the frequency of taser use by officers decreased, while the levels of suspect resistance encountered by officers increased. The frequency and severity of suspect injuries did not change and the numbers of officers injured in use-of-force encounters also did not change. Survey response data from officers were compared to archival data, which revealed that while officers perceive an increased risk of harm to themselves as a result of the organizational policy change that was not supported in the findings. Officers did not perceive an increased risk of harm to suspects which was supported in the archival data findings. Officers also expressed a belief that the organizational change that placed the taser at a higher level on the Use-of-Force Continuum is appropriate for most use-of-force encounters. This study concludes with future directions and trends for taser use in law enforcement.
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Date Issued
2008
Identifier
CFE0002150, ucf:47501
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002150
IS "GOOD" GOOD ENOUGH? A SMALL AREA VARIATION ANALYSIS OF DISPARITY IN EXPRESSED RATES OF ACCESS TO AND SATISFACTION WITH CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA.
Title
IS "GOOD" GOOD ENOUGH? A SMALL AREA VARIATION ANALYSIS OF DISPARITY IN EXPRESSED RATES OF ACCESS TO AND SATISFACTION WITH CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA.
Creator
Schaefer, Jay, Holmes, Stephen T., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The purpose of this dissertation research was to explore indications of disparities within the east Central Florida child and adolescent healthcare services market. Structured as a follow-up study to work completed in 2005 under the direction of the Health Council of East Central Florida assessing parental perceptions of community child and adolescent healthcare services, this research extended that evaluation by aggregating participant responses at the county and small area zip code group...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation research was to explore indications of disparities within the east Central Florida child and adolescent healthcare services market. Structured as a follow-up study to work completed in 2005 under the direction of the Health Council of East Central Florida assessing parental perceptions of community child and adolescent healthcare services, this research extended that evaluation by aggregating participant responses at the county and small area zip code group levels, contextually testing the uniformity of responses in understanding parent perceptions of access to, and satisfaction with, community healthcare service offerings available for children and adolescents. Under a variety of methodologies significance in the responses concerning access to healthcare services were demonstrated between the counties studied. Statistical modeling, however, could not demonstrate the core demographic differences among these data. Data representing perceptions of satisfaction with the services received by children and adolescents were demonstrated at the small area zip code group level within Orange county. Primary effect assessment of the demographic variables representing these respondents yielded findings generally consistent with theoretical expectations of disparity but, notably, the correlation effects between a number of key independent variables demonstrated a mediation of the primary effects on overall perception of satisfaction. Specifically, it was demonstrated that the interaction of white race with possession of private healthcare insurance, and the interaction of greater levels of educational attainment with black race, caused a proportional reduction in the predicted satisfaction score of these survey respondent cohorts. Further research specific to these phenomenon encompassing a clearer understanding of the type of care received and the individual's specific experiences with their healthcare providers was recommended, with ensuing research to better identify commonalities of interactions with specific area providers, local restrictions imposed by area insurance carriers, influences caused by language and/or cultural barriers, and the like as drivers in understanding the individual dynamics of satisfaction.
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Date Issued
2010
Identifier
CFE0003505, ucf:48977
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003505
Demanding Reduction: An Exploration of County-Level Characteristics Associated with Areas of Human Trafficking in Florida
Title
Demanding Reduction: An Exploration of County-Level Characteristics Associated with Areas of Human Trafficking in Florida.
Creator
Diaz, Madelyn, Huff-Corzine, Lin, Corzine, Harold, Holmes, Stephen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Research on the prevalence of human trafficking (HT) is relatively scarce, even though more attention has been brought to this human rights issue in the past couple of decades. Widely known as a form of modern day slavery, trafficking of persons for sexual exploitative reasons to earn a profit for the trafficker occurs in every major city across the country, despite common misconceptions that it only thrives in foreign countries. To expand on limited existing literature on human trafficking,...
Show moreResearch on the prevalence of human trafficking (HT) is relatively scarce, even though more attention has been brought to this human rights issue in the past couple of decades. Widely known as a form of modern day slavery, trafficking of persons for sexual exploitative reasons to earn a profit for the trafficker occurs in every major city across the country, despite common misconceptions that it only thrives in foreign countries. To expand on limited existing literature on human trafficking, this research study explores possible correlations among areas of high violent crime rates, drug arrests, the presence of demand reduction strategies, sociodemographic variables, and tourism measures among the Florida counties to determine if they can act as predictive measures to locate areas where a human trafficking arrest is the most likely to occur. These relationships were investigated through the Offender Based Transaction Systems (OBTS), documented court actions filed by prosecutors between 2012-2016 of human trafficking arrests, and comparing it to violent crime rates and drug arrest rates for the Florida counties using data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in conjunction with demand reduction efforts. The results from this study did not support the hypothesis that the higher rate of violent crime and drug arrest rates would significantly increase to the presence of a human trafficking arrest. Instead, demand reduction efforts, e.g. street and web sting operations, neighborhood action, and public awareness, emerged as the only significant variable that predicted the likelihood of a human trafficking arrest occurring in a county. These findings stress the importance of reduction efforts targeting the leading consumers in this lucrative market; the demand for sex from sex buyers.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0006994, ucf:51621
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006994
Offender Reentry: A Mixed Model Study of Interorganizational Commitment to Partnership
Title
Offender Reentry: A Mixed Model Study of Interorganizational Commitment to Partnership.
Creator
Humiston, Gail, Langworthy, Robert, Holmes, Stephen, Rosky, Jeffrey, Bryer, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study explores the associations between the independent variables of organizational motivations and culture with the dependent variable of organizational commitment to local jail reentry partnerships. A cross-sectional, mixed methods design was used based primarily on a quantitative survey mailed to organizational informants involved in jail reentry activities within three central Florida counties. Qualitative data was also collected by observing conveniently sampled reentry meetings and...
Show moreThis study explores the associations between the independent variables of organizational motivations and culture with the dependent variable of organizational commitment to local jail reentry partnerships. A cross-sectional, mixed methods design was used based primarily on a quantitative survey mailed to organizational informants involved in jail reentry activities within three central Florida counties. Qualitative data was also collected by observing conveniently sampled reentry meetings and analyzing the content of social artifacts, such as meeting handouts, minutes, e-mails, and other related documents. This study extends the literature by using the theoretical framework of Oliver (1990) to develop measures of organizations' motivations (i.e., reciprocity, stability, efficiency, asymmetry, and legitimacy) to partner with jails in reentry. It also extends the literature of Fletcher, Lehman, Wexler, Melnick, Taxman, and Young (2009) by furthering the development of valid measures of interorganizational relationships. Fletcher and associates found two levels of relationships (i.e., structured and unstructured); whereas this study found that organizations are linked according to elements (i.e., linking clients, services, providers, data, program evaluation and grant funding, and management) within increasing levels of complexity. Bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated positive associations between the predictor and outcome variables, as hypothesized. However, the sample size was not large enough to determine the strength or significance between the variables. The directed content analysis of the qualitative data supported the presence of the theoretical constructs, but also indicated that they were not mutually exclusive or exhaustive. Two of the three counties ended formal reentry meetings, so a case study approach was used to analyze the three counties using the theory of loose coupling (Orton (&) Weick, 1990; Weick, 1976). Although all three counties experienced the same external pressures to begin formal meetings, there were differences in partnership structures, leadership goals, and events which serve to explain why only one county was able to sustain those formal meetings. Results of this study have both research and practical implications. The development of valid measures for moderating variables in reentry will allow researchers to relate those variables to reentry program outcomes. By exploring the associations between organizational motivations and cultures with varying levels of commitment to interorganizational relationships, correctional officials will better understand who will partner, why, and to what degree. As a result, we may better understand the extent to which reforms targeting offender reentry can be successfully planned, implemented, and sustained. There are limitations to this study. Methodological errors associated with surveys, the primary data collection method herein, include the following: measurement, coverage, sampling, and nonresponse (Dillman, Smyth, (&) Christian, 2009). Despite having a relatively large sample size for analysis at the organizational level, the correlation design and small sample size (N = 68) limit the ability to draw causal inferences.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFE0005507, ucf:50361
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005507
Correlates to Police and Correctional Burnout: An Exploratory Study
Title
Correlates to Police and Correctional Burnout: An Exploratory Study.
Creator
McDonald, James, Holmes, Stephen, Adams, Kenneth, Wolf, Ross, Addelston, Judi, Goltz, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study builds on the small but growing body of research examining the antecedents and effects of burnout on police and corrections officers. A review of the extant literature on burnout in general and on the literature exploring police and correctional officer burnout in particular identified several variables that contribute to the social-psychological condition of burnout. The variables identified in the literature review were grouped according to biographical factors (gender, race...
Show moreThis study builds on the small but growing body of research examining the antecedents and effects of burnout on police and corrections officers. A review of the extant literature on burnout in general and on the literature exploring police and correctional officer burnout in particular identified several variables that contribute to the social-psychological condition of burnout. The variables identified in the literature review were grouped according to biographical factors (gender, race/ethnicity, and age), biographical stressors (marital status and level of education), organizational factors (occupational field, agency size, tenure, and rank), workplace stressors (recent promotions, transfers or discipline, and perceptions of fairness in promotions, discipline, and transfers), or life-event stressors. This study utilized the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) to assess burnout. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) developed by Holmes and Rahe (1996) was used to identify life-event stressors. The sample for this study was drawn from police and correctional officers attending professional development training at a regional criminal justice training center in Central Florida. Of the 577 students surveyed, 417 remained in the sample after duplicates were eliminated. A multi-stage analysis, which included analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent sample t-tests, and ordinary least squared techniques (OLS), was conducted to explore the influences of different correlates of burnout on police and correctional officers. Multiple one-way ANOVA models and independent sample t-tests were run first, followed by several stages of multiple regression analysis. In the initial OLS regression models, only the variables for biographical factors, biographical stressors, and occupational factors were entered in the models. In following stage, workplace stressors were added to the regression models, followed by the addition of life-event stressors into the final regression models. The correlates of burnout found to be most significant included race/ethnicity, agency size, and perceptions of fairness in promotions and discipline. Of the correlates that were significant, race/ethnicity and perceptions of fairness were the most noteworthy, since the data indicated White/Caucasian officers experienced greater levels of burnout than minority officers, a finding that appeared related to an officer's perceptions of fairness in promotions and discipline. In addition, a statistically significant difference in professional efficacy scores was detected between officers from smaller agencies (99 officers or fewer) and officers from the largest agencies (1,000 officers or more). The findings from this study seem to suggest that burnout may be influenced by perceptions of fairness in promotional and disciplinary processes, which may be confounded by an officer's race/ethnicity. To address this matter, police and correctional agency administrators might want to consider designing promotional and disciplinary procedures that stress transparency and emphasize merit-based outcomes rather than equality-based outcomes. With regard to agency size, administrators from small agencies should consider steps that make the job more rewarding to their officers so they are less susceptible to burnout.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004215, ucf:49016
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004215