NCJ Number
168019
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 637-648
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The Challenge Project aimed to compare group and individual treatment outcomes for perpetrators of child sexual abuse, with particular reference to treatment program compliance and reoffending.
Abstract
The project assessed 80 convicted perpetrators of child sexual abuse in southeast London over a 2-year period and followed them up 1 and 2 years later. The 43 perpetrators who were diverted into the community program received standardized cognitive-behavioral treatment on a weekly basis over a 1-year period. Subjects were matched on key variables and entered either group or individual therapy. Some treatment effects were demonstrated in both group and individual therapy, particularly when individual changes in test scores were examined. Two variables were significantly associated with poor treatment program compliance, a history of sexual and/or violent offending and a history of childhood sexual victimization. Only one subject had been convicted of a further sexual offense, possession of child pornography, at follow-up. The findings may support professionals in deciding how best to allocate scarce resources. The authors plan to extend the outcome study to at least a 5-year follow-up period to see whether compliance and shifts in psychological measures represent valid outcome predictors. 22 references and 3 tables