NCJ Number
210255
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 91-115
Date Published
2005
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Twenty-three men incarcerated in the La Macaza Federal Penitentiary in Quebec (Canada) for the sexual abuse of a child were interviewed to determine their thoughts and perceptions of their treatment.
Abstract
Since 1992, the La Macaza Clinic has offered an intensive treatment program for all types of sex offenders. The program incorporates aspects of both cognitive behavioral therapy and relapse-prevention treatment, which resembles most treatment programs offered elsewhere for sex offenders. All participants were reported to have had repetitive sexual contacts with minors. Nondirective, semistructured interviews were conducted to determine participants' thoughts about the treatment they were receiving, their experience of the program on a daily basis, what they expected and hoped to achieve in the second phase of the treatment program, and what they liked about the program and what they would like to see changed. The 19 participants who mentioned having previous therapy claimed the group sessions involved too many individuals, complained that the therapist did not believe what they said, and reported feeling an increased risk of recidivism even after completing therapy. The current La Macaza treatment, which is voluntary, was discussed in terms of whether mandatory or voluntary therapy was most helpful. Still, many felt pressure from various sources to participate. Discussion of the treatment setting focused on the pros and cons of participation in a structured program, group dynamics, the therapists, and the hardships of treatment. 1 table and 48 references