Groupwork Programme for Male Sex Offenders: Establishing Principles for Practice (From Groupwork With Offenders, P 218-230, 1993, Allan Brown and Brian Caddick, eds. - See NCJ-158762)

• NCJ Number: 158781
• Author(s): M Cowburn
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Whiting and Birch
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This paper describes the nature and values involved in a group counseling program provided by the probation service for adult male sex offenders in Nottinghamshire, England.

Abstract

Among the 13 concepts on which the program rests are that men are responsible for their sexual behavior, men can control their response to sexual arousal, sex offenses are a misuse of power, and both research and practitioner experience indicate that convicted sex offenders significantly underestimate the number and type of offenses they commit. The program also places sexually assaultive behavior centrally within human experience and challenges the traditional social work position of believing and respecting the clients' understanding of their experience. The group sessions address gender, race, and sexual orientation. A full assessment of issues relating to the offending is part of the group work. Dissatisfaction with the original program led to the development of a modular program that will be piloted in the coming year. Modules will focus on assessment, behavior patterns, victims, sex education, gender identity, power and sexuality, the sense of self, relapse prevention, risk assessment, and termination. The program includes a 5 days of assessments followed by 27-28 half-day sessions. Figure