Comparing Various Treatment Options for Sexual Offenders and Their Efficacy Rates
Comparing Various Treatment Options for Sexual Offenders and Their Efficacy Rates
Abstract
The assessment and treatment of sexual offending has varied greatly within the last 40 years. The establishment of sexual offender treatment began in the 1970’s where medical officials focused on reducing criminal psychological or pathologies with the use of physical/chemical castration and various pharmaceutical remedies. As treatment ideals evolved, cognitive-behavioral treatment became the new focus by way of having the offender accomplish a list of goals. These specific goals allowed the offender to take criminal responsibility for their actions, allowed them to identify and manage their personal problems/behaviors, taught them how to recognize their deviant behavior while teaching them how to eliminate their Cognitive Distortions (CDs) (Terry, 2013). This paper will explain the various treatment programs available to sexual offenders as well as outlying their respective efficacy rates.
Keywords: sexual offenders, treatment, recidivism rates
Comparing Various Treatment Options for Sexual Offenders and Their Rate of Efficacy In today’s society, those who commit sexual crimes are often looked upon as untreatable. Contrary to this belief, research on sexual abuse and possible treatment methods began during the 1890 - 1920’s. Known as the Progressive Era, medical professionals recognized and began to conduct research on sexual deviant behavior. Extra focus was made toward those who victimized women and children (usually after a high profile sexual murder) and were dubbed as having a unique medical problem. Due to this reasoning, medical professionals (at the time) developed treatment “procedures and remedies” in forms of surgical/chemical castration and other pharmaceutical medications that were made to control the sex offender’s behaviors which were thought to be deeply rooted within their
Abstract
The assessment and treatment of sexual offending has varied greatly within the last 40 years. The establishment of sexual offender treatment began in the 1970’s where medical officials focused on reducing criminal psychological or pathologies with the use of physical/chemical castration and various pharmaceutical remedies. As treatment ideals evolved, cognitive-behavioral treatment became the new focus by way of having the offender accomplish a list of goals. These specific goals allowed the offender to take criminal responsibility for their actions, allowed them to identify and manage their personal problems/behaviors, taught them how to recognize their deviant behavior while teaching them how to eliminate their Cognitive Distortions (CDs) (Terry, 2013). This paper will explain the various treatment programs available to sexual offenders as well as outlying their respective efficacy rates.
Keywords: sexual offenders, treatment, recidivism rates
Comparing Various Treatment Options for Sexual Offenders and Their Rate of Efficacy In today’s society, those who commit sexual crimes are often looked upon as untreatable. Contrary to this belief, research on sexual abuse and possible treatment methods began during the 1890 - 1920’s. Known as the Progressive Era, medical professionals recognized and began to conduct research on sexual deviant behavior. Extra focus was made toward those who victimized women and children (usually after a high profile sexual murder) and were dubbed as having a unique medical problem. Due to this reasoning, medical professionals (at the time) developed treatment “procedures and remedies” in forms of surgical/chemical castration and other pharmaceutical medications that were made to control the sex offender’s behaviors which were thought to be deeply rooted within their