OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL OFFENDERS

• NCJ Number: 32886
• Journal: Social Work Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1976) Pages: 134-140
• Author(s): S N SILVER
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: National Assoc of School Workers
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON SEXUAL DEVIANCE PROGRAM, COMBINING GROUP INTERACTION WITH BEHAVIORAL ENGINEERING, AND BASED ON CONCEPTUALIZATION OF SEXUAL DEVIANCE AS REVERSIBLE, LEARNED BEHAVIOR.

Abstract

WITHIN THE STAFF DIRECTED GROUP SETTING, CONCENTRATION IS ON COGNITIVE INTERFERENCE, RECOGNIZING BEHAVIOR CHAINS, ENHANCING SELF-ESTEEM, BUILDING SOCIAL SKILLS, SIDETRACKING OF DEVIANT IMPULSES, WITH REWARDS FOR SUCCESS, AND REWARDS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONTROL. BY HELPING THE OFFENDER TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF HIS DEVIANCE, AND TO RELATE TO THE TRAUMA CAUSED TO HIS VICTIM, THE PROGRAM HELPS TO FACILITATE SELF-REGULATION AFTER TERMINATION. THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS ABOUT TWO-THIRDS NON-VOLUNTARY, WITH REFERRALS FROM COURTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, IS SAID TO BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY AND, IN SOME CASES, TO TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL CARE.