UNLAWFUL SEXUAL ACTS - A Case Study

The Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia protects the right to sexual self-determination and sexual freedom by prescribing criminal offenses against sexual freedom and criminal sanctions. The subject of this research is the examination of sexual criminality, with a focus on the criminal offense of unlawful sexual acts, aiming to determine the characteristics of the perpetrator of this criminal offense. Considering the subject and the set goal, a qualitative method of studying individual criminal cases of unlawful sexual acts was used. The data collection technique employed was content analysis. Data about the perpetrator (such as age, gender, occupation, marital status, previous convictions, mental state of the offender, motive, and relationship with the victim) were obtained, as well as situational data related to criminal behavior (time and place of the offense, accomplices, data about the victim), and the imposed criminal sanctions. Identifying the characteristics of sexual offenders is crucial for understanding this deviant behavior and for the practical task of implementing specific treatments targeted at sexual offenders. Treatments for sexual offenders that are being used worldwide, especially effective cognitive-behavioral approaches, should be implemented +in our penitentiary practice.