NCJ Number
70979
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Although Great Britain is remiss in providing therapy groups for nonviolent sex offenders, they can greatly benefit from such groups; the Avon Berkely group providing behavior modification and support is discussed as a model for treating these offenders.
Abstract
Indecent assaulters, exposers, and nonviolent pedophiles benefit from therapy and should not be imprisoned or put on standard probation without therapy. Especially encouraging work for these offenders is presently being done in the U.S., where 24 programs for nonviolent sex offenders report nonrecidivist success rates as high as 90 percent. A study of 12 probation departments across Great Britain, however, reveals only 3 treatment groups and few treatment units in prisons. However, the Avon Berkely group, in existence since 1977, can serve as a model for effectively treatng nonviolent deviants. The group currently contains 12 men referred by the courts. Out of 20 serviced by the group since it began, only 1 has reoffended. The group offers shared experiences, a chance for change through recognizing problems and changing behavior, and a chance to learn social skills. A male and a female lead the group. Men in the group are socially and sexually repressed; have low self-esteem; are often from unhappy, mother-dominated homes; and several have spent long periods in mental institutions. The group members discuss a wide range of topics related to their sexual behavior and repressed feelings and help each other in learning to behave in more socially accepted ways. Proposals for the future are included.