July 20, 2008

Ripple effects of psychologist's porn addiction

Sex offenders to get new trials

A state psychologist's own sexual deviancy will lead to new trials for two Iowa sex offenders whom he opined should be locked up as sexually violent predators, the Des Moines Register reported today.

The evaluator is Joseph Belanger of North Dakota, whom I blogged about last December after he acknowledged an adiction to online child pornography.

Belanger's deviancy is causing ripple effects including a review of more than 100 cases and an upcoming appeal before the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Belanger resigned from North Dakota State Hospital but his license is still active during a continuing investigation, the Register reported.

Although many state evaluators testify that it is difficult for sexual deviants to benefit from treatment, Belanger "stressed that he has worked with a Zen teacher and that 'I believe recovery is possible,' " according to the Register report.

The Des Moines Register story is here. My Dec. 9, 2007 post is here.

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