NCJ Number
220605
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 17-24
Date Published
2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the attitude of members of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) towards treatment, release, and recidivism of sexual predators.
Abstract
The findings suggest that the popular belief that sex offenders cannot be cured is shared by professionals who work with and/or study these offenders. A large majority (63 percent) of the professional respondents reported little hope for a cure, and 88 percent reported a fear of recidivism after treatment. No differences in opinion were found between respondents when grouped by age, sex, political orientation, years in occupation, or occupation. The study’s strongest element was the response rate of the ATSA members. ATSA is a national organization of professionals from a variety of fields, including psychiatry, psychology, social work, corrections, and parole. Fifty-two percent of the professionals responded (out of 1,040 members) to the mail survey; the high response rate was attributed to the fact that the group had never before been surveyed on the subject and the respondents welcomed the opportunity to convey their frustrations and concerns. Although research on treatment efficacy and recidivism remains controversial and is plagued with methodological problems, knowing what the attitudes of ATSA members are concerning cure and recidivism will add to the empirical knowledge regarding offender rehabilitations. Data were obtained through responses to a confidential mail survey sent to members of the ATSA. The survey included seven issues which addressed treatment effectiveness, causality, recidivism, release programs, and the criminal justice system’s role in dealing with this type of offender. Future definitive work should be undertaken. Tables, references