Introduction
Forensic psychology goes deeper into the context of knowing why a criminal is able to accomplish actions that are specifically against the law and against actions that are morally accepted. Definitely, in this case, the individual involved in a criminal activity is seen to have a mental disorder that could be considered to have been the reason why he was able to accomplish the actions he did among his young victims (Behnke, 1997). It is assumed through this analysis that a person such as the one examined for this case ought to be dealt with efficiently even after he is released form jail not only for the sake of the safety of the people but also for his own sake of redeeming himself from what he has done and hopefully be cured from the psychological disturbance that he is experiencing.
Psychological Analysis
Robert Hansen had a background in DUI and is considerably presenting disturbing attitude towards substance abuse. However, it could be noted through the brief that Hansen did not really believe that he could be considered to be addicted to the said substances. At the age of 19, he is critically showing signs of denial especially in the sense of accepting his condition and the way he responds to tension, stress and frustration as he grows into maturity. The first instance by which he incurred sexual assault against a nine-year old girl is in 2000. He was sentenced to serve five years in prison for the said crime, but upon probation in 2004, he was reported to have assaulted another 7-year-old girl who he molested for 15 minutes. He was also found masturbating after such instance and was then considered for a 15-year prison sentence. Given the series of events he has come through, it could be understood that there is a pattern of response that he presents especially when he feels frustration compared to when his desires are repressed.
When asked about his feelings or his view of what he has done, he responded that he has already started developing certain feelings or desires towards young girls. It could be understood that he found such emotion rather common- that although there is a moral compass that limits his capacity to act upon his desire, the two instances when he did indicates that he does have the capacity to act upon such psychological pressure.
It could be understood that part of his situation shows how his background played out in the way he developed a sense response to give way to his physical demands. At a much younger age, his exposure to computer and video games may have created a huge impact on the way he thinks about other people, especially children. The diagnosis of pedophilia is identified to have a specific wanting of younger girls for the satisfaction of one’s sexual pleasure (Franklin, 2008). There are instances when such thoughts that develop form such desire become to hard to control to the point of pushing individuals who experience it to respond to the psychological fantasies through physical demand.
Given his age at 19, Hansen is expected to experience some of his developmental stage’s point of confusion. Given that he is often a loner, it is obvious that he was not able to properly handle his unusual fantasies through supposedly talking about it- he had to deal with the situation more on his own and given his age, it is clear that he was not able to process it properly, thus resulting to his actions. Given his case and the way he attacked his victims, it could be noted that his reactions were random. This means that he simply responds to the sudden physical demand as he feels it. Without knowing the possible process of dealing with his unwanted demands, he simply acts upon them and let these emotions take control of his actions (Behnke, 1997). Although he may have denied touching the young girl during his second case of assault, his history suggests otherwise.
Risk Analysis
Given that he was given 15 years of prison sentence and is being released on December, it could be assumed that he is already at its 35 to 37 years old when he is going to be released back to the community. Although he may have already served the years to respond to the assault he has incurred, it is not clear how he has been treated during the time he served. There is no indication of whether or not he was given the psychological support he needs in order to resolve his psychological issue. Accordingly, it could be noted that simply being incarcerated is not enough to teach Hansen the lesson he needs to learn. It should have been that he ought to have received guidance and therapy while he was in jail (Berlin, 2014). But without any confirmation of such, it is assumed that there is a possibility that the condition of Hansen has not been treated at all. Hence, once he is released, it is expected that a repetition of his action is indeed possible.
Given the random actions he has taken during the past when he was younger, the time of controlling his urges while he was in prison could present greater risks as he is to be released. It could be understood that untreated behavioral issue in Hansen could present dangers for the young girls he might likely attack. In this case, it is assumed that there needs to be a psychological support system in place as he is going to be released (Frances, et al, 2012).
Recommendation to the Court
It is important that even as Hansen is to be released, his mark as a Sexually Violent Predator be established. This shall make it easier for individuals who are likely going to meet with him to take precautions, especially among those who have young girls under their care. Definitively, it could be understood that to assure the neighborhood and the community to which he is going to be released into, there is a need to keep Hansen under a program that could help him control his emotions and his sexual urges. Specifically designed for the needs of Hansen, this program ought to help him develop more positive attitude on how he ought to handle his mental fantasies and physical urges. Accordingly, this is expected to help Hansen to be cured from his psychological condition while also given him better options to release his urges more positively without assaulting anyone.
True, young men within his age, are expected to experience irregular sexual thoughts in response to their physical, mental and psychological development, the development of such desire is rather natural but there are positive and morally efficient manners by which the situation could be resolved and controlled accordingly.
Conclusion
This analysis highlights that the proper role of justice is to give attention to the needs of the victims as well as that of the supportive needs to provide a restorative program that could bring the perpetrator a better choice in living his life forward- without disturbing other people’s peace. It could be noted that Hansen, although he has accomplished horrible assault against the young girls he victimized, he could still be considered a man at his young age who ought to be dealt with through the use of efficient programs that could help him become a better individual through aiding him to control his unlawful sexual impulses and urges. In this case, it is essential to take note of the need to improve the ways by which Hansen is guided in order to become a better person even after what he has done. Nevertheless, his mark of being a sexually violent predator ought not be removed until he actually shows some developments.
