Behavioral Approaches to Treatment of the Violent Sex Offender (From Clinical Treatment of the Violent Person, P 100-122, Loren H Roth, ed. -- See NCJ-103216)

• NCJ Number: 106862
• Author(s): G G Abel; J V Benker; L J Skinner
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A review of issues and procedures associated with the treatment of violent sex offenders concludes that the therapeutic, ethical, and legal problems are similar to those associated with treatment of other aggressive patients, but that greater stigma is assigned both to those who commit sexual crime and to those who work with sexual deviates.

Abstract

Anticipating and preparing for political and staffing problems is crucial when establishing and operating an outpatient treatment program. Careful staff selection and staff cohesiveness are essential. Measures should be taken to protect staff members' safety and to prevent burnout. It is also essential to protect patients' privacy and to keep patient records secure. Treatment should aim to bring the offender's behavior within normal limits. Establishing an empathetic relationship between the therapist and patient is an essential part of any treatment. The other five components of treatment are decreasing deviant arousal, increasing nondeviant arousal, skills training, correcting cognitive distortions, sex education, and sexual dysfunction therapy. Treatment efforts must also consider such issues as the validity of the patient's reports, psychophysiological assessment, depression resulting from arrest, the critical period following the arrest, the role of alcohol in sexual assault, and incest. Data table and 25 references.