NCJ Number
98470
Date Published
1983
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Based on a literature review and the authors' clinical impressions, this paper examines the prevalence of sex offenses among the mentally retarded population, reviews previous treatment studies for such offenders, suggests a model for treating these offenders, and proposes treatment and assessment methods derived from the model.
Abstract
A review of the literature revealed a prevalence rate of 10-15 percent for sex offenses among the mentally retarded population, a slightly higher rate than for the general population. Operant-based treatment techniques were found to be effective with severely retarded sex offenders. Limited data, however, were found on the treatment of the mild to moderately retarded sex offender. The discussion is devoted primarily to treatment of this group. Because of the limited data available, the authors derive treatment techniques from the general literature on sexual deviation. The social learning model of sexual deviation is selected as the one which has generated research support. This model is based on the theory that sex offenders have deficits in heterosexual, social, educational, and cognitive skills. General considerations noted in applying this model to mentally retarded offenders are the definition of mental retardation, behavioral disorders of the mentally retarded in addition to their sexual offenses, and the nature of sexuality in the mentally retarded. The paper also examines techniques for assessing excesses and deficits in sexual arousal in the mentally retarded as well as treatment techniques for addressing such states. Also described are the authors' techniques to address and treat heterosexual social skills and deficits of mentally retarded sexual offenders. Twenty-four references are listed.