NCJ Number
167758
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The assessment and treatment of American Indian sex offenders are discussed, with emphasis on the principles of considering each offender from an ethnic rather than a social or racial stance, considering identification issues for both offenders and their families, and understanding the context of historical and personal trauma.
Abstract
Crucial assessment issues include the assessment of Indian identity; cultural issues related to aggression; nonverbal communication; value differences; and the role of shame among family and tribal groups. Clinicians must be careful to question methods that may result in false memories and to recognize that sufficient research is lacking regarding the use of anatomically correct dolls to obtain or verify victim impact statements from American Indians. Treatment requires the introduction of cultural and ethnic issues in the cognitive-behavioral programming. The treatment setting must be made safe on a social level, and knowledge must be present regarding differences between American Indian societies and the dominant society regarding behavior management methods. American Indian offenders must also address several personal adjustment issues, including validating and resolving victim issues, coming to accept their family's history of traumatic events, developing an identity with a societal structure that can provide a model of prosocial behaviors, resolving any spiritual issues present, and adopting a belief structure that avoids conflicts between values and behaviors. Clinicians must understand cultural and ethnic issues as well. 11 references