Episode 10: Notification Requirements: Purpose, Process and Impact

Episode 10: Notification Requirements: Purpose, Process and Impact

The UK Sex Offender Register (SOR) was introduced in the 1990s to support public protection. In Scotland, this is known as Notification Requirements. In this epsiode we're talking about what the system is and how it came about, we consider the benefits and drawbacks to how it works, and discuss existing research on the systems in the UK and internationally, including reducing reoffending and the impact on people and communities. Find out more about the work of the RMA: Home - RMA - Risk Management Authority [https://www.rma.scot/] References & Useful Links Sex offenders register explained | Scottish Sentencing Council [https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk/news-and-media/spotlight-on-sentencing-blog/sex-offenders-register-explained] 2025 - Ansbro & Fitzgibbon - UK Sex Offender Register - Has Net Been Cast Too Wide. The UK sex offender register: Has the net been cast too wide? - Maria Ansbro, Wendy Fitzgibbon, 2025 [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17488958251356678] 2014 - Carr - The Effect of Sex Offender Registries on Recidivism. (99+) The Effect of Sex Offender Registries on Recidivism: Evidence from a Natural Experiment [https://www.academia.edu/8690584/The_Effect_of_Sex_Offender_Registries_on_Recidivism_Evidence_from_a_Natural_Experiment] 2025 - Hanson et al - How Public Registries Obscure Sexual Recidivism Risk Evidence from State Administrative Data. How public registries obscure sexual recidivism risk: Evidence from state administrative data. [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-01516-001] 2006 - Wakefield - The Vilification of Sex Offenders. Do Laws Targeting Sex Offenders Increase Recidivism and Sexual Violence. The Vilification of Sex Offenders: Do Laws Targeting Sex Offenders Increase Recidivism and Sexual Violence? | IPCE [https://www.ipce.info/library/journal-article/vilification-sex-offenders]

Episode 9: Algorithms, AI and Online Harm (Part 2)

We know that social media has played a large part in radicalisation over the years. Continual development of platforms, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the effect of the attention economy may be increasing the risk of online harm poses to our communities. In these episodes, our Research and Development team talk about online spaces to consider the impact on vulnerable populations, the process of implementing safeguards and restrictions; and how legislation must be shaped to help keep communities safe in the digital age. This is the second part of a two-part episode. Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot [https://www.rma.scot] References & Useful Links Ashurst, L., & McAlinden, A. M. (2015). Young people, peer-to-peer grooming and sexual offending: Understanding and responding to harmful sexual behaviour within a social media society. Probation Journal, 62(4), 374-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550515619572 [https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550515619572] Fisico, R., & Harkins, L. (2021). Technology and sexual offending. Current psychiatry reports, 23(9), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01269-1 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01269-1] Kenyon, J., Binder, J., & Baker‑Beall, C. (2022, December 8). The Internet and radicalisation pathways: Technological advances, relevance of mental health and role of attackers. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-and-radicalisation-pathways-technological-advances-relevance-of-mental-health-and-role-of-attackers [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-and-radicalisation-pathways-technological-advances-relevance-of-mental-health-and-role-of-attackers] Ofcom (2025). Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2025 [https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2025] Slavtcheva-Petkova, V., Nash, V. J., & Bulger, M. (2015). Evidence on the extent of harms experienced by children as a result of online risks: implications for policy and research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(1), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.934387 [https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.934387]

Episode 8: Algorithms, AI and Online Harm (Part 1)

We know that social media has played a large part in radicalisation over the years. Continual development of platforms, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the effect of the attention economy may be increasing the risk of online harm poses to our communities. In these episodes, our Research and Development team talk about online spaces to consider the impact on vulnerable populations, the process of implementing safeguards and restrictions; and how legislation must be shaped to help keep communities safe in the digital age. This is the first part of a two-part episode. Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot [https://www.rma.scot] References & Useful Links Ashurst, L., & McAlinden, A. M. (2015). Young people, peer-to-peer grooming and sexual offending: Understanding and responding to harmful sexual behaviour within a social media society. Probation Journal, 62(4), 374-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550515619572 [https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550515619572] Fisico, R., & Harkins, L. (2021). Technology and sexual offending. Current psychiatry reports, 23(9), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01269-1 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01269-1] Kenyon, J., Binder, J., & Baker‑Beall, C. (2022, December 8). The Internet and radicalisation pathways: Technological advances, relevance of mental health and role of attackers. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-and-radicalisation-pathways-technological-advances-relevance-of-mental-health-and-role-of-attackers [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-and-radicalisation-pathways-technological-advances-relevance-of-mental-health-and-role-of-attackers] Ofcom (2025). Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2025 [https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2025] Slavtcheva-Petkova, V., Nash, V. J., & Bulger, M. (2015). Evidence on the extent of harms experienced by children as a result of online risks: implications for policy and research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(1), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.934387 [https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.934387]

Episode 7: Selecting Approaches for Effectively Responding to Risk

It's been a long time coming! We're proud to be able to launch our newest online directory, Selecting Approaches for Effectively Responding to Risk (SAFERR). In this episode, Geoff talks to our Researcher Jihad Diab and our Chief Executive Mark McSherry, about the challenges of translating complex information into an accessible online directory. SAFERR is specifically focussed on the implementation and evaluation of a variety of risk management approaches in the context of their application to forensic populations. SAFERR is ongoing and we're keen to receive feedback on how we can continue to improve what we do to support colleagues working in public protection. Have a look at SAFERR: https://saferr.rma.scot/ [https://saferr.rma.scot/] Find out more about the work of the RMA: https://www.rma.scot/ [https://www.rma.scot/]

Episode 6: Dr Rajan Darjee - Bonus Feature-Length Episode

In this bonus feature length episode, we're thrilled to welcome Dr Rajan Darjee to the podcast. Raj has worked in forensic psychiatry for over 20 years, beginning in the UK and now more recently working in Australia. Raj has been an Accredited Risk Assessor with the Risk Management Authority, a vital role in the Scottish justice system when an Order for Lifelong Restriction is being considered. He has worked in secure hospital, prison and community settings, and has extensive experience of working with people who have committed, or are at risk of committing, sexual offences, stalking, intimate partner violence, homicide and other types of serious interpersonal violence. In this episode, Raj talks to us about multi-disciplinary approaches throughout his career, and it all started with Silence of the Lambs... Find out more about RMA Accredited Assessors: https://www.rma.scot/olr/risk-assessors/ [https://www.rma.scot/olr/risk-assessors/] Find out more about Dr Rajan Darjee: https://fbacs.com.au/our-team [https://fbacs.com.au/our-team] Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot [https://www.rma.scot]