NCJ Number
128728
Date Published
1986
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article identifies potential emotional hazards of working with juvenile sexual offenders and suggests some ways of managing this stress.
Abstract
Therapists must be aware of the potentially detrimental emotional dynamics involved in interactions with sex offenders. Sex offenders manifest powerful emotions of rage, fear, power/control, helplessness, sexuality, cruelty, and disregard for others. In interacting with such persons in a variety of roles intended to produce improved behaviors and attitudes, therapists are at risk of being harmed psychologically to the extent of hindering their professional and personal lives. Possible emotional hazards include alienation from a society that detests sex offenders, particularly those who have abused children; identification with the victim or the aggressor as the sex offenses at issue are discussed; exposure to the manipulative behaviors of the clients; and exposure to aspects of human sexuality that may trigger unresolved or unwelcome sexual conflicts or feelings in the therapist. Therapists must be constantly aware of how the behaviors of clients are affecting their own attitudes and feelings and seek help when reactions are not being managed in a healthy manner. Networking, supervision, sabbaticals, and a battery of personal resources should be used to prevent therapists from succumbing to the emotional hazards of working with sex offenders.