NCJ Number
171464
Date Published
1997
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This paper reflects the need to address the unique needs of individual youth and the global patterns of functioning that are the developmental and contextual phenomena associated with the manifestation and continuation of sexually abusive behaviors.
Abstract
The goal of this presentation is to help clinicians integrate offense-specific interventions along with more comprehensive approaches that support differential diagnosis and goal-oriented interventions. Treatment strategies must address the sexual, the abusive, and the youthful characteristics of the sexually abusive youth and explore the developmental and contextual phenomena in order to identify both risks and assets. The goal is to decrease the deficits and deviance and increase the youth's competent functioning and nonabusive relationships. Treatment modalities include peer groups, individual and family therapies, psychoeducation and skill building, and nurturance of growth and development within caregiving milieus or the family. After discussing the cycles of functioning, the paper considers the following aspects of the therapeutic relationship: victim advocacy, confidentiality, and trust. A discussion of the developmental-contextual framework focuses on temperament and concurrent psychiatric disorders. A review of goal-oriented interventions considers the treatment group, confrontation, introduction to treatment, and learning to use the cycle. The concluding section on education and assignments addresses cognitive restructuring, empathy, victim awareness, societal messages and myths, sexuality, controlling arousal, family dynamics and influence, the treatment of concurrent psychiatric disorders, individual therapy sessions, and relapse prevention. 3 tables and 72 references