Source: dailytimes.com.pk 12/1/21
There have been growing calls for tougher punishment against sexual offenders and stronger preventive measures in the aftermath of a series of violent crimes victimizing women and children. Recently, a Cabinet meeting approved a revised bill, under which a clause providing for “chemical castration” of habitual rapists had been removed from the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the light of objections raised by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
Using hormonal drugs to reduce sexual violence recidivism is known as chemical castration. The first reported attempt of hormonal manipulation to reduce pathological sexual behaviour occurred in 1944 when diethylstilbestrol was prescribed to lower testosterone levels. In 1996, California became the first state in the United States to authorize the use of either chemical or surgical castration for certain sex offenders who were being released from prison into the community. This legislation was extremely controversial at the time; however, eight additional states have subsequently passed laws that provide some form of castration for sexual offenders under consideration for parole or probation. Currently, similar debates on the legislation and expansion of chemical castration have taken place in Korea.
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Comparing surgical and chemical castration. There is a little difference in recidivism rate after either surgical or chemical castration…
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…chemical castration is associated with various side effects, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and impaired glucose and lipid metabolism.
