Using Drama Therapy To Do Personal Victimization Work With Sexual Aggressors: A Review of the Research (From Sex Offender: New Insights, Treatment Innovations and Legal Developments, Volume II, P 20-1 to 20-23, 1997, Barbara K. Schwartz and Henry R. Cellini, eds. - See NCJ-167745)

• NCJ Number: 167764
• Author(s): B K Schwartz; J Bergman
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: Civic Research Institute, Inc
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This paper reviews literature on the inclusion of components on childhood sexual victimization in sex offender treatment, with emphasis on the role of psychodrama or drama therapy for achieving catharsis of the trauma of the offender's personal victimization as a child.

Abstract

Whether to deal with their clients' personal victimization is a current issue being debated by professionals who treat sex offenders. The holistic nature of the offender as a person with issues in the physiological, cognitive-behavioral, affective, interpersonal, familial, societal, and spiritual domains is receiving increasing acceptance. Drama therapy is a particularly effective method for confronting these issues. Abreaction and catharsis of the trauma are widely accepted methods of reconnecting the traumatic memories with the original emotions. It is important to conduct this work in a setting in which the participants will have plenty of support and in which participants understand in general what they will be experiencing. This therapy also requires trained professionals with formal training and supervised experience. 52 references