NCJ Number
145822
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1993) Pages: 512-523
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The authors review research into the matter of assessing the treatment efficacy of outcome studies of sex offenders.
Abstract
Statistically measurable differences between treated and untreated subjects is a necessary criterion toward assessing treatment efficacy. The authors argue that such efficacy has not yet been scientifically demonstrated. However, they also reject the "nothing works" attitude of some reactionaries. They recommend further assessment research using meta-analysis techniques and warn against promising what may not be deliverable, which would taint the credibility of claims for treatment that may demonstrably work. Even small reductions in the recidivism of sex offenders would be quite valuable in human and economic terms. Such reductions, if scientifically demonstrable, would constitute sufficient evidence of efficacy. 25 references