NCJ Number
185127
Journal
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2000 Pages: 203-222
Date Published
July 2000
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article profiles the development of cognitive behavioral treatment programs for sexual offenders and appraises various issues regarding these treatments.
Abstract
The authors first identify the trends that have developed over the past 30 years and then discuss the current status of sexual offender treatment and how more effective programs might be developed in the future. By the early 1990's, North American treatment programs for sex offenders typically included the elimination of denial and minimizations regarding the offenses; the correction of distorted perceptions and attitudes; the normalization of sexual interests; the enhancement of empathy; social skills training; sex education; and the identification of an offense chain, plus the generation of a set of relapse prevention plans. The fact that these approaches are empirically based encourages optimism that future development will continue to produce improved treatment programs. Although current evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral treatments are effective, recidivism rates must be further lowered, particularly for the highest risk offenders. Treatment issues discussed in this article include the length of treatment time, fantasizing and planning offenses, treatment targets, treatment components, relapse prevention procedures, and the treatment process. 151 references