Physical Activity as an Intervention with Young People Exhibiting Harmful Sexual Behaviour: A Review

Louisa Horner,Bernard Gallagher

doi:10.5920/css.552

Abstract

A number of treatment approaches have been used with young people who exhibit harmful sexual behaviour (YPHSB). Other young offenders (OYO) have sometimes received an alternative form of treatment - physical activity (PA)-based intervention. Positive outcomes have been reported for these young people. Some authorities have argued that YPHSB and OYO are similar in terms of their psychosocial characteristics and therefore might benefit from PA-based interventions. There are a small number of evaluations of such interventions with YPHSB but they are limited to adventure therapy (AT) or wilderness therapy (WT). This paper will provide an outline of PA-based interventions used with OYO; assess any overlap in psychosocial characteristics between YPHSB and OYO; and evaluate the evidence as to the efficacy of PA-based interventions with YPHSB.

Highlights

There are suggestions that an appreciable proportion of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by other children and young people (CYP) (Cooper and Roe, 2012; NSPCC, 2013; Smith, BradburyJones, Lazenbatt, and Taylor, 2013)
Hackett (2014), for example, indicated that a third of sexual offences were committed by CYP, and Campbell, Booth, Hackett and Sutton (2018) estimated that 30–50% of all childhood sexual abuse was perpetrated by other young people
It is essential that any welfare and rehabilitative provision for young people who exhibit harmful sexual behaviour (YPHSB) includes effective treatment

Summary

Background

There are suggestions that an appreciable proportion of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by other children and young people (CYP) (Cooper and Roe, 2012; NSPCC, 2013; Smith, BradburyJones, Lazenbatt, and Taylor, 2013). Hackett (2014), for example, indicated that a third of sexual offences were committed by CYP, and Campbell, Booth, Hackett and Sutton (2018) estimated that 30–50% of all childhood sexual abuse was perpetrated by other young people. Most of the studies are: based upon males only; are restricted to adolescents; were carried out in the US; and drew their samples from quite different sources, such as incarcerated youth and young people in state care It is not clear, as to how similar – or different – YPHSB and OYO are to one another in terms of their psychosocial characteristics. The key elements of MAPPS included separating YPHSB from their usual environment; engaging them in adventure activities; and exposing them to a ‘pro-social culture’, in which they developed mutually positive and helpful relationships with other young people and staff. This support consisted of weekly contact, and monthly on-site and placement visits

Evaluation Format

Methods

Design

Conclusions