Guest Video

Watch the following videos in their entirety and answer the critical thinking questions below. 

Joshua Benjamin - Case Overview

Q1: Because those who commit sexual abuse are so stigmatized, the majority of people view these individuals as incurable. Is this the view that you most often take? Does hearing Josh’s story and his desire to get help for his struggles change your perspective?

Joshua Benjamin: Attempts to Get Help and his Victimization

Q1: Sexual abuse is one of the most difficult and often enraging topics to discuss. Like Josh, those who commit acts of sexual abuse have often been sexually abused themselves. What steps can be taken to change society’s view on the topic and help these offenders receive effective treatment?

Jennifer Schuett - Misconceptions About Survivors

Q1: In recent years, much more attention has been given to victims and victims’ rights. Do you feel that Jennifer’s statements about victims are still true or has there been change in this regard?

Q2: Jennifer states that individuals, specifically victims, should “fight for the justice that you deserve.” While this statement is a backbone of democratic ideals, how is it disproportionately experienced in America? Can everyone equally and realistically fight for justice?

Chris Farias: Legal Definitions of His Crime

Q1: Are repeat offenders a reflection on the role or effectiveness of the criminal justice system? With whom does responsibility lie? The individual? The Community? The police? The state? Elsewhere?

Q2: Statutes are often accepted as unquestionable; Chris’ third DWI legally labeled him a repeat offender creating, as he described, “an uphill battle”. Are consequences like the one Chris faced necessary and are they successful? What could be some alternative responses to an individual who obtains three DWI’s?

Measurements in Research