Treatment/Healing for Sexual Offending Behaviour Among Aboriginal Men: Setting Direction Based on Client Characteristics

• NCJ Number: 199218
• Journal: Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 32-36
• Author(s): Lawrence A. Ellerby
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

This Canadian study identified client characteristics that may have a bearing on treatment strategies and techniques for male Aboriginal sex offenders.

Abstract

The database consisted of 303 closed treatment cases of adult male sexual offenders referred to the Native Clan Organization's Forensic Behavioral Management Clinic (FBMC) for institutional and/or community-based treatment between 1987-99. Of the total sample, 40 percent (n=121) were Aboriginal. The FBMC uses blended traditional healing/contemporary treatment programs for Aboriginal sexual offenders. Data were obtained on the offenders' developmental and social histories, education and employment, substance abuse, criminal histories, patterns of sexual offending, and treatment outcome. No significant differences were found between the sexual recidivism rates of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men who participated in treatment at the FBMC (8 percent versus 3 percent). Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men who participated in treatment at the FBMC (n=282) and a matched comparison group (n=196) of offenders from the Regional Psychiatric Centre, Prairie Region were followed for up to 10 years upon release. FBMC clients showed a significantly lower reoccurrence of sexual offending after treatment than the comparison group (8 percent versus 25 percent). The findings suggest the need to focus on Aboriginal-specific characteristics in the evaluation of Aboriginal sex offenders. This should entail a more thorough exploration of racial identity and background, exposure to Aboriginal language and culture, level of assimilation, and the potential impact of residential school. A focus on attachment styles, substance abuse, and anger and aggression may also be beneficial in the evaluation of Aboriginal sexual offenders. It will also be important to investigate differences within the Aboriginal groups, so as to identify unique characteristics that may be found among Metis and Inuit offenders. 1 table, 1 figure, and 5 notes