NCJ Number
243143
Date Published
2011
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This chapter presents a method for increasing adolescent sex offenders' ability to strengthen emotional and empathic responses to potential victims.
Abstract
The proposed session involves a clinician and client (or any other combination of relevant participants) sitting in a room and viewing the materials outlined in this chapter. Six types of materials are listed: a photo head shot of the client with a serious expression; a photo of the client's family that suggests bonding and yearning to be close; a photo or image of one of the victims or someone resembling the victim; a detailed drawing by the client of his/her sexual offense; some photos or images of "normative life" as defined by the therapist and client; and emotionally evocative music picked by the client that accompanies the imagery sessions. The chapter discusses the rationale for the role of these materials singly and in combination in evoking empathic responses. The images will be more effective when they are placed in a large format of slides or overheads. The sessions may be divided into three sections depending on the client's readiness. The first stage stimulates feelings of longing and wanting to belong in a loving and secure family environment. The second stage focuses on the client's drawing of his/her offense in an effort to stir anguish, guilt, embarrassment, and general emotional dissonance that leads into the third stage, which focuses on images suggestive of a more normal and community-validated lifestyle. The overall intent of this approach is to assist the client in developing the ability and interest in reforming and forming relationships in which nurturing, support, and mutual assistance occur.