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The current research explored the impact of specially trained dogs on the experiences of sexual offence survivors in an English and Welsh court environment. In total, five cases of survivors of sexual offences were provided with a specially trained dog during court proceedings. In each case, data were collected from several sources, including interviews, observations and various documentation. Using a thorough multiple-case-study design, data were analysed both within and across all cases to identify any individual and thematic patterns. The within-case analysis found that the dog aided survivors in becoming calmer and less anxious. The across-case analysis indicated five reoccurring themes pertaining to the survivor: (1) impact of court context, (2) emotional impact of dog on survivors, (3) physical impact of dog on survivors, (4) change in anchoring due to presence of the dog, and (5) the uniqueness of a dog as a companion. The findings also highlighted important considerations when utilising such services to support survivors at court. Overall, these results identified a large number of benefits not only to the survivors, but also their families and other supporting individuals, providing the first global evaluation of such service for survivors of sexual offence, which should aid in considering the introduction of this service internationally. It is thus recommended that the criminal justice system in England and Wales further explore the use of this service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated whether a group of firesetters ( n = 68) could be distinguished, psychologically, from a matched group of non-firesetting offenders ( n = 68). Method: Participants completed measures examining psychological variables relating to fire, emotional/self-regulation, social competency, self-concept, boredom proneness, and impression management. Official prison records were also examined to record offending history and other offense-related variables. A series of MANOVAs were conducted with conceptually related measures identified as the dependent variables. Follow-up discriminant function and clinical cut-off score analyses were also conducted to examine the best discriminating variables for firesetters. Results: Firesetters were clearly distinguishable, statistically, from non-firesetters on three groups of conceptually related measures relating to: fire, emotional/self-regulation, and self-concept. The most successful variables for the discrimination of firesetters determined via statistical and clinical significance testing were higher levels of anger-related cognition, interest in serious fires, and identification with fire and lower levels of perceived fire safety awareness, general self-esteem, and external locus of control. Conclusions: Firesetters appear to be a specialist group of offenders who hold unique psychological characteristics. Firesetters are likely to require specialist treatment to target these psychological needs as opposed to generic offending behavior programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]