Pragmatism and practicalities: Residential placement and reintegration of young males who have sexually abused

Nikki Evans,John Dunlop

doi:10.11157/anzswj-vol21iss3id270

Abstract

Human service responses to sexual abuse perpetrated by young people are often extensive and expensive, and yet many aspects of these responses remain contentious. In 2007, as members of Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), we prepared a submission to the Social Services Committee for the Inquiry into the Care and Rehabilitation of Youth Sex Offenders. This paper expands on points made in the ANZASW submission, with a particular focus on availability of suitable residential placements for young men who have sexually abused. The paper then considers issues relevant to reintegration of these youth into the community following a period in residential placement.

Highlights

Human service responses to sexual abuse perpetrated by young people are often extensive and expensive, and yet many aspects of these responses remain contentious
In 2007, as members of Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), we prepared a submission to the Social Services Committee for the Inquiry into the Care and Rehabilitation of Youth Sex Offenders
A significant proportion of young men who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviour, and who come to the attention of professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand, are assessed as needing to be temporarily removed from their family home and/or community

Summary

Nikki Evans and John Dunlop

Nikki Evans worked as a therapist for a number of years with young people who had engaged in sexually abusive behaviour, their families, caregivers and the systems they were involved with. She continues to provide supervision to workers in this field and is an academic at the School of Social Work and Human Services, University of Canterbury. John Dunlop is a social worker in private practice who has worked with both male perpetrators and survivors of sexual abuse over a number of years He is currently providing supervision and consultation to individuals and organisations working in the social services field. He was the project manager responsible for the establishment of the National Residential Adolescent Treatment Centre, Te Poutama Arahi Rangatahi, which is located in Christchurch, New Zealand

Introduction

Rationale for residential placement

Findings

Conclusion