Treating a sexual offender who categorically denies committing the offense

This case study describes a strategy for treating a sexual offender who categorically denies committing the offense. These offenders usually refuse to participate in treatment or are deemed ineligible or unsuitable for sexual offender treatment on the basis of their denial of responsibility. The treatment approach outlined in this case study reflects an adaptation of conventional sexual offender treatment such that the focus is on the problems in the offender's life that led to him or her to be in a position where he or she could be "accused" of an offense. This case study demonstrates how an offender who is categorically denying responsibility for his offending was therapeutically engaged in treatment. Treatment implications of this approach are discussed. © 2008 Sage Publications

The use of antilibidinal medications in the treatment of sexual offenders

Antilibidinal medications can be used to reduce a sexual offender’s deviant sexual fantasies and arousal. We briefly review what these medications are and what effects they have, how commonly they are used or should be used, how effective they actually are, and finally in our clinical opinion which sex offenders would benefit from the taking these medications. We also raise briefly some of the ethical, legal, and medical implications of their use

How should "acceptance of responsibility" be addressed in sexual offending treatment programs?

Sexual offenders in treatment programs are usually expected to take responsibility for their offending-which we define, on the basis of a literature review, as giving a detailed and precise disclosure of events which avoids external attributions of cause and matches the official/victim's account of the offense. However, research has not established that a failure to take responsibility for offending is a risk factor for future recidivism. In this paper, we critically review and evaluate the literature on taking responsibility for offending, to determine the rationale for the popularity of this treatment target. We consider the reasons why sex offenders fail to take responsibility for their offending and examine some potential problems with focusing on this goal in treatment programs. We also describe alternative treatment strategies for taking responsibility and conclude that there is less need for offenders to take responsibility for their past offending than there is for them to take responsibility for their future actions. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

Risk assessment and treatment planning

The Wiley Handbook on the Theories, Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offending is a three-volume collection of up-to-date readings contributed by international experts relating to the assessment, intervention, and theoretical foundations ..

Preparing sex offenders for treatment: A preliminary evaluation of a preparatory programme

One of the emerging findings in offender rehabilitation is that treatment completion and therapeutic gains can be maximised under conditions where the participant is “ready” for psychotherapeutic intervention. This study investigated the preliminary effectiveness of a Preparatory Programme designed to motivate or prepare sex offenders for treatment. The treatment targets of readiness, hope, self-efficacy, and motivation to change were measured before and after the programme. The Preparatory group showed significant positive changes on self-efficacy and hope. In contrast, sex offenders who completed a psycho-educational programme or who were on a waitlist did not receive such gains. There were no significant increases in measures of motivation however the majority of offenders subsequently commenced a full treatment programme

An integrated groupwork methodology for working with sex offenders

There is now a considerable literature on the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. There exists another substantial literature on therapeutic groupwork and its relevance to a range of clinical populations. These bodies of work have made reference to the other in terms of their mutual relevance. However, there has been no comprehensive attempt to apply groupwork theory and principles systematically to work with sex offenders. While this work is generally carried out using a group format and the application of groupwork principles is enthusiastically promoted in the field, the application is underdeveloped both empirically and even more so conceptually. As a result, practices vary greatly. We argue here that a systematic and integrated consideration of the application of groupwork methodology to the treatment of sex offenders has the potential to significantly enhance treatment effectiveness. We conclude with implications for training and clinical practice

The treatment of sexual deviance within therapeutic settings

This chapter will describe the treatment philosophy used by Australian correctional jurisdiction to treat sexual deviance issues within a therapeutic setting. The basis of the approach is to assist individuals convicted of a sexual offence to learn a small number of skills that can be used for all treatment risk areas. In so doing, there is a focus on healthy sexuality throughout all of the treatment process and a limited need for specific treatment exercises relating solely to sexual deviance. The importance of contextual or process issues to create optimal therapeutic environments within which to target sexual deviance is highlighted. Having described the treatment philosophy, we then illustrate specific treatment strategies used for sexual functioning with reference to specific exercises or concepts organised under physiological arousal, cognitions, and behavioural

Group versus individual treatment: what is the best modality for treating sexual offenders?

This paper reviews the different treatment modalities used for treating sexual offenders. We provide an overview of the literature comparing group therapy with individual treatment and summarise the main advantages and disadvantages of both treatment modalities. Group treatment appears to be at least as effective as individual treatment, and there are several clinical advantages obtained through group processes which helpfully address the particular criminogenic needs of the sexual offender population and which are less easily obtained in individual therapy. In addition, we also address the debate about the advantages of open-ended versus closed-group formats. Openended groups seem to offer more clinical advantages than closed groups, and in particular allow for treatment to be more responsive to individual needs, although there have been no direct comparisons of the two approaches with sexual offenders. We conclude by identifying the next steps for research

A review of the use of therapeutic communities with sexual offenders

Sexual offender treatment programmes are often facilitated in secure settings such as prisons or psychiatric hospitals, which are not ideal environments for such treatment. Arguably, however, when these environments are structured as therapeutic communities (TCs), opportunities are created to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This article describes the concept of a TC, its operating principles and rationale, as well as the benefits and rationale for establishing TCs in conjunction with cognitive-behavioural treatment with sexual offenders. This is discussed in terms of the potential of TCs to improve targeting of treatment content, to enhance treatment process, to provide optimal environments for therapeutic gain, and to provide a broad therapeutic framework for treating sexual offenders. The article reviews and summarizes what evidence exists for the use of TCs with both nonsexual offenders and sexual offenders. Finally, it highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the use of TCs to inspire further empirical and conceptual consideration of these isues.Sexual offender treatment programmes are often facilitated in secure settings such as prisons or psychiatric hospitals, which are not ideal environments for such treatment. Arguably, however, when these environments are structured as therapeutic communities (TCs), opportunities are created to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This article describes the concept of a TC, its operating principles and rationale, as well as the benefits and rationale for establishing TCs in conjunction with cognitive-behavioural treatment with sexual offenders. This is discussed in terms of the potential of TCs to improve targeting of treatment content, to enhance treatment process, to provide optimal environments for therapeutic gain, and to provide a broad therapeutic framework for treating sexual offenders. The article reviews and summarizes what evidence exists for the use of TCs with both nonsexual offenders and sexual offenders. Finally, it highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the use of TCs to inspire further empirical and conceptual consideration of these isues.Sexual offender treatment programmes are often facilitated in secure settings such as prisons or psychiatric hospitals, which are not ideal environments for such treatment. Arguably, however, when these environments are structured as therapeutic communities (TCs), opportunities are created to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This article describes the concept of a TC, its operating principles and rationale, as well as the benefits and rationale for establishing TCs in conjunction with cognitive-behavioural treatment with sexual offenders. This is discussed in terms of the potential of TCs to improve targeting of treatment content, to enhance treatment process, to provide optimal environments for therapeutic gain, and to provide a broad therapeutic framework for treating sexual offenders. The article reviews and summarizes what evidence exists for the use of TCs with both nonsexual offenders and sexual offenders. Finally, it highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the use of TCs to inspire further empirical and conceptual consideration of these isues