Sex Offender Treatment Research Articles

Treating Sex Offenders: Effects on Male and Female Therapists.

The aim of the present study, based on in-depth semistructured interviews conducted in Israel with 18 social workers (nine women and nine men), working as probation officers who diagnose and treat sex offenders, was twofold: The first goal was to examine how treating sex offenders affects the male and female practitioners' daily lives and specifically, their parenting. Second, in light of the claim that support of colleagues and family members is very important for coping with secondary traumatization, the study investigated how working with sex offenders influenced the practitioners' ability to share their experiences with their colleagues in the workplace and with their partners at home. The study findings, based on a phenomenological analysis, revealed that male and female probation officers working with sex offenders experienced anxiety, suspicion, and concern for their children's safety. Their spousal and collegial relationships were also affected by their work. In addition to not receiving support from their colleagues and partners, they experienced loneliness and attacks "from the inside and from the outside," expressed in criticism, loathing, and disgust in relation to their work. The findings reveal, for the first time, the common and the distinct effects of male and female practitioners' experiences on their spousal and parental relationships. It also expands the understanding of the connection between exclusion and loneliness experienced by them, due to their limited ability of sharing their experience with colleagues and family members. The discussion offers theoretical explanations for these implications and recommends how to provide relief for male and female practitioners, who work with sex offenders.

Denial in Sex Offending Treatment: Examining Criminal Career Diversity

ABSTRACT Sex offenders commonly exhibit some degree of denial of their offending. Past research has shown that denial conflicts with treatment completion, but does not necessarily increase sexual reoffending risk. This study explores whether the impact of denial upon the treatment of sex offenders is unequivocal or influenced by other factors, such as criminal career variables and dynamic risk. Thirty-five convicted male sex offenders in Italy were assessed for criminal career characteristics (e.g., heterogeneous versus specialized offending), for the nature of denial, and for dynamic risk factors. Interventions for sex offenders may be more effective if they are designed to differentiate between heterogeneous offenders who are difficult to engage in treatment, and specialized sex offenders who are more likely to engage in and complete treatment, regardless of their level of denial. Heterogeneous and specialized sex offenders pose different risks and these differences need to be taken into account in treatment.

Polygraph: The Use of Polygraphy in the Assessment and Treatment of Sex Offenders in the UK

Polygraph: The Use of Polygraphy in the Assessment and Treatment of Sex Offenders in the UK

P-value Problems? An Examination of Evidential Value in Criminology

This study aims to assess the evidential value of the knowledgebase in criminology after accounting for the presence of potential Type I errors. The present study examines the distribution of 1248 p-values (that inform 84 statistically significant outcomes across 26 systematic reviews) in meta-analyses on the topic of crime and justice published by the Campbell Collaboration (CC) using p-curve analysis. The distribution of all CC p-values have a significant cluster of p-values immediately below 0.05, which is indicative of p-hacking. Evidential value (right skewed p-curves) is detected in most meta-analytic topic areas but not motivational interviewing (substance use outcome), sex offender treatment (sexual/general recidivism), police legitimacy (procedural justice), street-level drug law enforcement (total crime), and treatment effectiveness in secure corrections (juvenile recidivism). More studies, especially carefully designed and implemented randomized experiments with sufficiently large sample sizes, are needed before we are able to affirm the presence of evidential value and replicability of studies in all CC topic areas with confidence.

The Application of Network Analysis to Dynamic Risk Factors in Adult Male Sex Offenders

Although dynamic risk factors are considered important in the assessment and treatment of adult male sex offenders, little is known about their interrelationships. We apply network analysis to assess their associations and to provide an analysis of their shortest pathways to sexual and violent (including sexual contact) recidivism. Analyses revealed a central position for general rejection/loneliness (in all networks), poor cognitive problem solving (in networks containing sexual or violent—including sexual contact—recidivism), and impulsive acts (only in the network including sexual recidivism). These variables represented links between clusters of dynamic risk factors composed of factors relating to sexual self-regulation, emotionally intimate relationships, antisocial traits, and self-management. Impulsive acts showed the strongest independent association with sexual and violent (including sexual contact) recidivism.

Les Centres Ressources pour les Intervenants auprès des Auteurs de Violences Sexuelles (CRIAVS)

Resources Centres for People working with Sex Offenders (RCPSO) are public services devoted to tackling sexual violence. Created following the April 2006 circular related to the evaluation and treatment of sex offenders, centres are regional multidisciplinary teams (e.g. psychiatrist, psychologist, sexologist, nurse, lawyer, sociologists, librarians, etc.) aim at: - developing primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of sexual violence; supporting professionals working with sex offenders (e.g. case studies, assessment, referral); - improving multi-agency network and partnerships to facilitate the articulation between health and justice systems in the context of penally ordered care; - multidisciplinary training (initial training and continuing professional development) of professionals and informing the public; - ensuring access to knowledge by free access to an online multilingual database of reference documents related to sexual violence (http://theseas.reseaudoc.org/opac/); - initiating, supporting and disseminating research and innovation in the field of sexual violence prevention. In 2009, a national federation was created, the French Federation of Resources Centres for People working with Sex Offenders (FFRCPSO), allowing for national efforts, visibility and projects. The FFRCPSO has developed national and international multi-agency partnerships and support innovative projects. For instance, the ELIS study was the first national study to investigate a penally ordered care measure (“care injunction”), its use, conduct, implementation and output, providing national data and highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. In June 2018, the national consortium on the prevention, evaluation and treatment of sex offenders gathered 15 national key stakeholders and organisations leading to the identification of key actions and 35 recommendations. These recommendations outline a multi-levelled national strategy to tackle sexual violence emphasising communication, prevention in key populations, training for all professionals, evaluation and treatment at key stages and needs for further research. Among these recommendations and based on international successes, was the creation of a national evaluation and referral helpline for minor-attracted persons. In November 2019, the pilot phase and evaluation of the national evaluation and referral helpline was launched.

Treatment for Non-Contact Sexual Offenders: What We Know and What We Need

Much of the research on treatment of sexual offenders is focused on contact sexual offenses, which include physical contact with a victim. Conversely, there is a dearth of literature on effective psychological interventions for individuals who commit non-contact sexual offenses. This paper briefly reviews the research on the characteristics and risk of some of the main types of non-contact sexual offenders (i.e., online, voyeuristic, exhibitionistic) before critically examining the psychological treatment literature in this area. Suggestions for future research are provided.

Discursive Chains: How Prison Becomes Real and Chains Identity Movements For a Sex Offender

Detainees enact a “self” that is faced with the prejudices and stereotypes of the crime for which that detainee was convicted. Of all inmates, sex offenders face the greatest risk of receiving social condemnation alongside their prison sentence. This empirical study worked with 32 male sex offenders over 18 years old that were housed in the “protected” unit of the Due Palazzi. The following analysis explores how these men are required to manage their “self,” hetero-narrations, perception of everyday interactions in the protected unit, and conceptions about the rehabilitation path. Moreover, the detainees’ view on the prison’s strategic opportunities for promoting effective change in their condition and identity are also examined.
 Discourse analysis applied to an open answer questionnaire showed that, rather than facing the stigma assigned to them, the detainees tend to minimize the importance of storytelling and construct alternative biographies to share with other inmates. Managing narratives allows the sex offenders to distance themselves from the perceived threats of living with other detainees; however, it also prevents the re-signification of their offenses. As such, the rules of “secrecy” must be considered by both qualitative researchers who conduct studies in prisons and prison administrators who plan the housing and treatment of sex offenders.

A narrative review of research on clinical responses to the problem of sexual offenses in the last decade.

Research on the treatment and programs for people who have committed sexual offenses has greatly increased in the past decade. The aim of this review is to discuss research that has been published over that period (2010-2019) that is relevant for treatment providers. The articles included in this review were found through PsycINFO and PubMed (Medline) using the keywords "treatment or therapy" and "sex offen*". The inclusion criteria were publications that discuss treatment of persons who have committed sexual offenses (written in the English language only). Any articles that examined only special populations were excluded, such as those that examined persons who committed sexual offenses who were female, had intellectual disabilities, deafness, juveniles, etc., because these groups will likely have needs and responsivity factors that differ from the "average" natal-born male sex offender. Results showed that several meta-analyses indicate that treatment is effective in reducing sexual recidivism. The most frequently used treatment for sex offenders is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is often provided in conjunction with pharmacological treatment to reduce sexual impulsivity and/or sex drive. This review is limited to the specific key search terms. The findings of this review support the use of treatment and a community reintegration approach when treating persons who have committed sexual crimes to prevent sexual recidivism.

Interrater reliability, concurrent validity, and predictive validity of the risk for sexual violence protocol.

This study empirically evaluated risk judgments made using the Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP; Hart et al., 2003), a widely used set of structured professional guidelines for assessing and managing sexual violence risk. Based on evaluations of other structured professional judgment guidelines, we hypothesized that judgments made using the RSVP would demonstrate good interrater reliability, concurrent validity, and predictive validity. Based on file review, research assistants made ratings using the RSVP and two commonly used actuarial tools for sexual violence risk assessment in a sample of 100 adult male sexual offenders who successfully completed a community-based sex offender treatment program. Recidivism information was obtained from official records 10 years after treatment completion. With respect to interrater reliability, judgments of the presence and relevance of individual risk factors ranged from moderate to almost perfect, and those for composite scores reflecting the sum of these ratings were almost perfect. Interrater reliability for integrative summary risk ratings was substantial to almost perfect. Regarding concurrent validity, the findings indicated that judgments made using the RSVP had moderate to large and statistically significant correlations with scores on the actuarial tools. Finally, with respect to predictive validity, RSVP presence total scores and summary risk ratings were predictive of new sexual violence over the follow-up, and the magnitude of their predictive validity effect sizes was similar to that of scores on the actuarial tools. The findings supported the potential utility of the RSVP in practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment of Sexual Offenders with Developmental Disorder

Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment of Sexual Offenders with Developmental Disorder

Academic oversight in policy research: questions arising from the Sex Offender Treatment Programme study

Academic oversight in policy research: questions arising from the Sex Offender Treatment Programme study

The Duality of Stigmatization: An Examination of Differences in Collateral Consequences for Black and White Sex Offenders

Isolating particular groups of individuals is nothing novel within American society, and two prevalent examples of this are the historical and current treatment of Blacks and sex offenders. To date, few studies have examined how race is related to sex offenders’ experiences, never mind how race compounds the effects of social stigmatization for registered sex offenders (RSOs). Using a statewide sample of RSOs (n = 306), the primary goal of this study is to examine how race is related to sex offenders’ experiences and perceived stigma are impacted by sex offender policies. Findings showed significant differences in the experiences and perceptions of Black and White sex offenders. Specifically, Blacks reported fewer experiences of collateral consequences, and overall a lower degree of perceived stigma. Implications are discussed.

Réflexions et perspectives sur l’Audition Publique « Auteurs de Violences Sexuelles : Prévention, Évaluation, Prise en charge » des 14 et 15 juin 2018

In France, the treatment of sexual offenders is based on the “order for care”, a measure created by the law of 17 June 1998. Twenty years after, it seemed appropriate to have a regard on its results. The French Federation of Resource Centers for Professionals working with Sexual Offenders has thus promoted the Public Hearing on the theme “Authors of Sexual Violence: prevention, evaluation, care”, held at the Ministry of Health and Solidarities on the 14th and June 15, 2018. This collective work, which brought together 15 associations and public persons concerned by the field, was conducted according to the methodology and with the support of the High Authority of Health. It resulted in the drafting by the Hearing Committee of a report containing 35 proposals to strengthen the fight against sexual violence. A year later, it seems important to review this work and the report, in order to take stock of its contributions, but also its shortcomings. The dissemination axes of the proposals are underlined with the current perspectives for their implementation.

Differences in Psychosexual Development Among Child, Peer, and Mixed Juvenile Sex Offenders.

Researchers have examined a number of typologies of juvenile sex offenders, including victim age. Using data from psychological evaluations and the Multiphasic Sex Inventory-II (MSI-II; [Psychological assessment of sex offenders, 2010]), this study compared child offenders (i.e., victims were more than 4years younger), peer offenders (i.e., victims were 4years younger or less), and mixed offenders (i.e., both child and peer victims) on variables including victim, offender, and offense characteristics, and psychosexual development. Peer offenders had more severe sexual offenses, prior status/nonviolent charges, and issues with sexual functioning. Mixed offenders began offending at a younger age and were indiscriminate in gender and relationship of the victim. Mixed offenders were also more likely than child and peer offenders to have prior sex offender treatment, meaning they had previously failed treatment. As juvenile sex offenders are a heterogeneous group, these research findings suggest that child offenders, peer offenders, and mixed offenders' treatment needs differ from each other.

Élaboration d’une échelle des représentations sociales négatives concernant les auteurs de violences sexuelles

IntroductionThe prototype of the “recidivist pedophile-child murderer” widely portrayed in the media is that of a (moral) monster. The horror and incomprehension of acts that are considered to be immoral, abnormal, and pathological, lead to the view that sex offenders must be “crazy”, “sick” or “perverse”. Attitudes towards sex offenders are generally very negative, and most people think they should be punished severely and locked up for as long as possible, especially child molesters. Women are slightly more understanding. The professionals who work with sex offenders (criminal justice system, care-workers) tend to have more positive perceptions. The aim of this study is to develop French-language tools to assess negative attitudes towards sex offenders. A further aim is to compare the attitudes of professionals, including people working in a CRIAVS (a regional center that provides guidance to professionals working with sex offenders), with those of other people. We will factor in history of sexual abuse, personality traits and emotional distress of the respondents. MethodParticipants and procedure. The sample consisted of 405 people (mean age 25.51±9.70years, 15–70; 58% women). One-third of the respondents were care-workers, of whom 20% (n=29) worked in a CRIAVS or in a treatment center for sex offenders. They were recruited via a web-based questionnaire created using Sphinx software. MaterialThe scale of negative social representations of sex offenders comprised 27 items, mostly worded in a derogatory way (e.g. “People who engage in acts of sexual violence are really monstrous”, “… have no place in society”; “… are people just like us”; “… should above all be given treatment”; “… do things that are totally incomprehensible”; “… are obviously very violent”; “… can never stop”). This questionnaire was the subject of a pre-test study. We also translated the Attitudes Towards Sex Offenders (ATS 21) scale, which is structured around three factors (Trust, Intent and Social Distance), each with 7 items. The material also included a personality trait scale (Big Five Inventory-10 items), an emotional distress scale (General Health Questionnaire-12 items) and questions about any history of sexual abuse experienced personally or by a close friend or relation. ResultsA principal component factor analysis of responses to items of negative attitudes towards sex offenders yielded a two-factor varimax-rotated solution explaining more than 45% of total variance. The first factor, “Segregation of sex offenders”, concerned items conveying the view that sex offenders should be excluded from society, that they cannot live with other people, that they are monstrous, etc. The second factor, “Sick People”, concerned items giving the view that sex offenders needed above all to be treated, but also related to the fear they inspire, and the impulsive and serious nature of their acts. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were respectively 0.94 and 0.67 (0.93 overall). The results showed strong correlations between ATS (ATS and its 3 factors: Trust, Intent and Social Distance) and the “Segregation of sex offenders”, as well as a significant correlation between Trust (ATS) and “Sick People”. The results showed an effect of age and level of education on the social representations of sex offenders, with less favorable attitudes among the youngest and those with the lowest level of education. There were weak links with personality traits (lower scores on Conscientiousness and higher scores on Neuroticism) and with emotional distress (higher scores on Anxiety-depression). There were also differences between women and men, with women showing greater tolerance than men, although they also scored higher on the “Sick People” factor. There were differences between people living in rural areas, whose attitudes were more negative than those living in urban areas. Finally, the attitudes of care-workers, particularly those working in a CRIAVS or treating sex offenders, were less negative than those of the other participants. DiscussionThis study is the first step in the development of a scale of negative attitudes towards sex offenders (with satisfactory internal and external psychometric qualities). Results are consistent with previous data. Pejorative attitudes are an obstacle to the care and rehabilitation of sex offenders. This tool could be used by CRIAVS professionals to evaluate the attitudes of the people or professionals attending their awareness or training programs. This study extends work on the “monster” figure and the segregation of “social deviants”.

Sex offender treatment professional perceptions of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Midwest

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is precipitated by prenatal alcohol exposure. Typified by cognitive, social, and adaptive functioning impairments, FASD places impacted individuals at an elevated risk for involvement in the criminal justice system. In particular, it has been reported that some individuals diagnosed with FASD engage in inappropriate sexual behaviors. Because professionals working in the field of sexual offender treatment have the potential to strongly influence their clients, this study surveys professionals that provide treatment services to sexual offenders. Topics queried include knowledge of FASD, the role of FASD in criminal behavior, and training opportunities. The key findings from this study include that the respondents readily recognized symptoms, deficits, and consequences of FASD, but had very few opportunities to receive advanced training on FASD in the context of inappropriate sexual behavior. Findings suggest there is a strong need to develop educational and training programs that better equip professionals with the skills to assist clients with FASD in treatment settings for inappropriate sexual behavior.

Adolescent sex offenders with autism spectrum conditions: currently used treatment approaches and their impact

ABSTRACTAims: Offending behaviour in adolescents with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) is rare. However, some theoretical links have been drawn between sexual offending and autism-typical deficits. Although research in this area is scarce, case-studies have begun to evaluate the impact of treatments for juvenile sexual offenders with ASC. This review aimed to summarise the available treatments for this group and their impact on young people (YP).Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted. Six online data-bases were searched for studies detailing interventions with adolescent sexual offenders with ASC.Results: Six case-studies were reviewed. Interventions consisted of detailed assessments, staff training, peer support, medication, and adapted cognitive-behavioural therapy. One case-study used narrative techniques. Only two studies reported on objective and measurable treatment effects whilst the remainder relied solely on anecdotal evidence. Studies presenting quantitative data found a decrease in sexual arousal, absconding, sexually harmful/inappropriate behaviour, and masturbation to deviant fantasies. Anecdotal evidence pointed to increased insight, flexibility, ability to open-up, and reintegration. The overall quality of studies was low with one exception. Research and clinical implications are discussed.Conclusions: Whilst some benefitted from the currently used treatment options, results cannot be generalised due to methodological flaws.

Learning from research: Adapting interventions for sexual offending to improve outcomes.

Sexual behaviour towards another person who does not or cannot consent to it causes serious harm to its victims. Understandable tendencies towards isolating or shaming the offenders, however, may actually increase risks of recidivism and further such harms. The study aims to consider evidence for the effectiveness of interventions for sex offenders, mainly in a U.K. context, across four areas: criminal justice system programmes, medication, interventions for sex offenders with personality disorder and a community-based model for the reintegration-Circles of Support and Accountability, and identify key evidence gaps. We searched for reviews in the following four strands of work-psychosocial programmes, medication, personality focused therapies, and Circles of Support and Accountability-and identified gaps in knowledge. Randomised controlled trials in this field are rare but have been achieved. Findings from more naturalistic outcome studies of sex offender treatment programmes are disappointing, but recidivism rates among released sex offender prisoners are low, regardless. Medication relying on substantial physiological change raises substantial ethical concerns. Not all sex offenders have a mental disorder but up to half have been diagnosed with a personality disorder, which may need specific treatment. Evidence is growing that lay work such as Circles of Support and Accountability is a valuable adjunct to other interventions. In this field, where tensions between attributions swing between "madness" and "badness," there is growing evidence for optimism that complexity of history and presentation can be met through cooperation between the many disciplines, integrative strategies, and wider community engagement. The need now is for large, prospective controlled trials of interventions, with long periods of follow-up. Perhaps, the most exciting developments have come from the wider public. More research into the qualities of these volunteers might inform public education and health strategies supporting wider safety.

"I feel that if I didn't come to it anymore, maybe I would go back to my old ways and I don't want that to happen": Adapted sex offender treatment programmes: Views of service users with autism spectrum disorders.

The cognitive and behavioural profile associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) includes difficulties with social interaction, communication and empathy. Each of these may present barriers to effective participation in sexual offending treatment, leading to poorer outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 men with autism and an intellectual disability (including the borderline range) who had completed an adapted sex offender treatment programme. Grounded Theory was used to explore the men's experiences of treatment and perceptions of risk. The men's perceptions of sexual risk were inextricably linked to constructs of identity and shaped their opinions of treatment effectiveness. Risk of reoffending was conveyed through narratives of changes in self and circumstances and included notions of blame and culpability. The findings illustrated some clear benefits for men with ASD associated with attending adapted sex offender treatment programmes, including delivery of treatment within groups and opportunities for social development. The study supports the view that difficulties with empathy and cognitive flexibility complicates treatment for sexual offending.