NCJ Number
106041
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (1987) Pages: 247-254
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A five-step therapy program for adolescent sex offenders in several outpatient guidance clinics in northwestern Wisconsin works through a group and uses peer interaction and a system of incentives believed to be effective with this age group.
Abstract
At a rural outpatient mental health clinic, boys from 13 to 18 charged with sexual assault have been ordered by the court to go through the program. The first step is statement by the offender to the group of the reasons for his sentence. Level two consists of discussions, controlled by the therapist, on the reasons for individual guilt and shame. Level three is description of the adolescent's abuses to the group in detail. Level four focuses on sexuality and the difference between health, nonabusive sex and abuse. Level five is an evaluation of the adolescent's motivations and record, his plans, and what he will do to avoid abusing again. The group program is only one part of the treatment, but in the third year of this program only one graduate had repeated his offenses. 4 tables and 13 references. (Author abstract modified)