Fathers Anonymous - A Group Treatment Program for Sexual Offenders (From Sexual Abuse of Children in the 1980's, P 70-79, 1986, Benjamin Schlesinger, ed. - See NCJ-103167)

• NCJ Number: 103171
• Author(s): R Dawson
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: University of Toronto Press
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To provide a comprehensive approach to family sexual misuse treatment, the Oxford Family and Children's Services (Canada) has developed a Fathers Anonymous treatment program for incest offenders.

Abstract

The program's major principles include: (1) sexual abuse is unacceptable, (2) intervention should not destroy the family, (3) sexual abuse is a family problem, and (4) effective intervention requires a meshing of the judicial and therapeutic systems. Treatment aims at preventing further sexual misconduct, assisting fathers in accepting responsibility for their misconduct, and enabling fathers to assume expected roles as spouse and parent. Groups meet weekly, co-led by a male and female therapist. Sessions are strictly confidential except in cases involving court-ordered treatment or a specific request by members for release of information. The program has been well accepted by the courts and probation service. Attendance at sessions has been perfect, and fathers have achieved some therapeutic progress. 3 notes.