NCJ Number
199594
Date Published
2001
Length
116 pages
Annotation
This book describes the Connections program designed for parents of sexually abused children and nonoffending parents who desire to reside or reunify with sexually abusive partners when children remain in the home.
Abstract
The Connections program is a structured, psychoeducational program for nonoffending parents of sexually abused children and partners of sexual offenders. This book describes in detail the structure of the Connections program and expectations of nonoffending parents and therapists. The Connections philosophy is that families who choose to stay together after sexual abuse can do so only if they learn how to live together as safely as possible. This entails determining appropriateness for reunification, understanding the typologies of sex offenders, assessing risk, and knowing the exclusionary criteria precluding an offender from consideration for living with children. The Connections program is structured to include an intake interview, 10 educational group sessions interspersed with 8 support group sessions, at least 6 family safety planning sessions, and as many clarification sessions as needed, if reunification between an offender and his victim is being considered. Guidelines are provided and discussed for conducting each session. Clients are expected to attend all sessions, complete all assignments, and demonstrate the behaviors outlined in the competency chart and safety checklist. A major focus of treatment is on assisting clients to resolve conflicting feelings, guilt, shame, anger, and fear with emphasis placed on helping the nonoffending parent to support child victims in their recovery. Upon conclusion of treatment, written reports are expected containing recommendations regarding the prognosis for safe reunification. In other words, making reasonably sound references about a family’s ability to live safely together based on what they have shown. Resources and references