What is Forensic Sexology?
Forensics is often discussed in relation to the legal system and crime, however, the Forensic Sexology Program uses a more generic description of forensics that describes it as 'the application of sexology in the collection of material for evidence in a decision making forum'.
This means that Forensic Sexology includes the study of aspects of criminology - such as sex offences, sex offender assessment and treatment, profiling sex offenders, treatment for the survivors of sexual assault, sexuality and the law, sexual law reform, expert etc – but it also involves the collection of material that can be used to challenge certain behaviours, customs, and even governing laws. For example, is it possible for a person with severe intellectual disability to give consent for sexual activity? Is it possible to stop female genital mutilation by presenting other strategies that fulfil the objectives of such a controversial and harmful practise? How do governing laws impact on the consensual expression of sexuality?
