Implications for Treatment of Sexual Offenders of the Ward and Hudson Model of Relapse

• NCJ Number: 199854
• Journal: Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2003 Pages: 121-134
• Author(s): James A. Bickley; Anthony R. Beech
• Date Published: April 2003
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This study examined the changes in distorted thinking following a cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment for two different groups of child sexual offenders.

Abstract

A commonly accepted goal of intervention treatment programs for sexual offenders is changing their distorted thinking regarding their perceptions of their victims and their sexual behavior. The authors note, however, that not all child sexual offenders espouse the same beliefs about the appropriateness of sexual contact with children. Two main groups have emerged as representative of the perceptions of child sexual offenders: those who espouse an “avoidant” goal and those who espouse an “approach” goal regarding sexual activity with children. In the avoidant group, offenders are likely to view their desire to have sexual contact with children as inappropriate, but lack the necessary coping skills and strategies necessary to restraining their sexual desires toward children. On the other hand, the “approach” oriented offenders view sexual contact with children as appropriate, and therefore, do not attempt to constrain their sexual desires toward children. In the current study, 59 child sexual offenders were categorized as either “avoidant” (n = 15) or “approach” (n = 44) goal oriented. All offenders attended the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Wolvercote Clinic, in which they participated in a cognitive-behavioral treatment program. Their level of distorted beliefs about sexual activity toward children and their beliefs regarding their own victims were measured before and after treatment. Results indicated that the treatment model effectively changed the distorted beliefs of the offenders who had previously espoused an “approach” oriented belief system. No significant changes in beliefs occurred in the “avoidant” oriented group of offenders, which was expected given that they viewed sexual contact with children as inappropriate prior to treatment. In conclusion, the authors note the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral approach to the treatment of child sexual offenders in reaching its stated goal of changing distorted beliefs. Tables, references