CrimeNewsUpdate

No cure for sex offenders

Claude Marais exposing himself to minors was not a random or isolated incident – it showed premeditation

The trial of Claude Marais, an alleged sex offender, resumed on 12 November, when the accused appeared before regional magistrate Delize Smith once again.

The State witness, Dr Shaheda Omar, who testified at this time, said it is unlikely that sexual predator, Claude Marais, can be rehabilitated and regarded him as a medium-risk offender.

Marais appeared again in the Roodepoort Regional Court, where testimony from the State witness, a social worker and professional counsellor at the Teddie Bear Foundation for Abused Children, was heard.

Also Read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2017/11/23/sexual-predator-found-guilty/

According to Omar, and based on the psychological report from Dr Lorinda Brink Berg, it is a myth to fit sexual offenders into a specific box as they cannot be profiled. She said highly reputable and credible people who are respected in society can also be sexual offenders. “Sexual offenders are your everyday man or woman, the likes of you and me. They could be a diverse group of individuals who are not psychotic or crazy, who may display traits of depression, or they could be just the same as the general society.”

Referring to the tests done on Marais and the time that has lapsed (five years from the arrest to the tests), she said depression and medication could influence the results. She said each individual is unique. “There is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to these tests. They are generic, and not tailor-made to the individual.”

Also Read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2016/10/19/six-deadly-sins-in-the-way-of-safer-neighbourhoods/

Omar said Marais’ exposing of himself to minors was not a random or isolated incident – it shows premeditation. She said in her experience, when a perpetrator is caught for the first time, it is usually not the first time he has offended. Pattern, frequency and severity are the three risk patterns Marais falls into. “We would also need to look at the lack of impulse control when people cannot control their sexual urges.”

Omar said there are many people who exhibit anti-social behaviour that are not sex offenders, but there are also many “normal” people like you and me who are sex offenders.

She said that once you are a sex offender, there is no cure. There is an option for treatment or management for an ongoing period, but it is a long-term intervention and not a quick fix. It is also possible for an offender to have an average sex life with his partner, yet have a deviant relationship outside of that partnership where he or she inflicts humiliation, physical force and going against the wishes of the victim on others.

Smith asked how the witness would classify Marais, with reference to this offence, assuming that there were low-, medium- and high-risk profiles. The witness said she would prefer to do a victim impact report, but in her general response she would see him as a medium risk.

The State rested and cross-examining continued.

The Defence asked the witness if, according to the previous witness’ testimony, a sex offender also exhibits anti-social behaviour. Omar said that anti-social behaviour is not symptomatic, nor does it mean that the person cannot be a sex offender. Omar explained again that she is an independent expert in this matter and had not evaluated Marais.

She also said there was ample opportunity for Marais to “rehearse” his responses to the tests in the time before they were conducted.

She said no test (psychometric etc) is 100 per cent accurate, because all these tests are generalised and not tailored to each individual. “They are strong indicators, but not 100 per cent accurate. The fact that a person can conceive of and orchestrate this offence makes it a serious offence.”

The Defence wanted to know if Marais could not then be regarded as a low risk, but Omar explained that this was not an isolated incident or a random event.

Marais has been out on bail for almost six years and has not been arrested again for this kind of offence, but the witness could not say for sure that he had not re-offended just because there had been no further reports.

Smith asked Omar what her opinion would be re anti-social behaviour if Marais had consumed various types of drugs. Omar replied that drug use speaks to impulse control issues and the inability to restrain oneself. She said Marais’ cognitive distortion, that is, his denial of responsibility, is a typical trait of adult sex offenders.

She referred back to the drawings Marais made during his psychological tests. The jagged lines he drew on women indicate negative feelings towards females. This could be concerning, but he needs to be evaluated in the context of the other tests that were performed.

The case was postponed to 3 December since the victim impact report handed to the Defence had not been certified.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at  krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

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