GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PROBATIONED SEX OFFENDERS (FROM SEXUAL BEHAVIORS - SOCIAL, CLINICAL, AND LEGAL ASPECTS, 1972 BY H L P RESNIK AND MARVIN E WOLFGANG - SEE NCJ-32113)

• NCJ Number: 32119
• Author(s): J J PETERS; H A ROETHER
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Little, Brown and Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SMALL-GROUP THERAPY USED IN THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF THE PHILADELPHIA GENERAL HOSPITAL TO TREAT HOMOSEXUALS, PEDOPHILES, EXHIBITIONISTS, AND RAPISTS PROBATIONED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

Abstract

DIFFICULTIES IN TREATING SEX OFFENDERS WITH TRADITIONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY METHODS ARE FIRST OUTLINED. THE PATIENT POPULATION OF THIS TREATMENT PROGRAM IS THEN DESCRIBED THE PROGRAM USUALLY OPERATES WITH HOMOGENEOUS GROUPS OF EXHIBITIONISTS, PEDOPHILES, HOMOSEXUALS, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES. IT WAS FOUND THAT OFFENDERS WOULD TALK MORE FREELY WHEN THEY KNEW THAT THE OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF A SIMILAR OFFENSE. THIS ARRANGEMENT ALSO HELPED TO DILUTE THE OFFENDERS' INTENSE REACTION TO AUTHORITY BY WORKING THROUGH PEERS IN THE GROUP SETTING. THE MEAN LENGTH OF TREATMENT WAS 26.2 WEEKS AND THE MEDIAN 21.5 WEEKS. RESULTS OF A 1965 FOLLOW-UP OF TREATMENT PARTICIPANTS SHOWED THAT THE TREATMENT GROUP HAD ONLY A 3 PERCENT RECIDIVISM RATE WHILE A COMPARABLE NON-TREATMENT GROUP EXHIBITED A 27 PERCENT RECIDIVISM RATE.