1. By Al Duke

2.  Most sex offenders are male (Wodarski & Johnson, 1988). In fact my expert, a Probation Officer of sex offenders only encountered about 5 females out of 50-60 sex offenders in the course of 6 years.  Sex offenders cannot be distinguished by race (Hilarski, 2008).  Biological methods are used to treat sex offenders such as drugs and surgery (Erlt & McNamara, 1997)(Greenfield, 2006).

3.  Sex offenders have cognitive distortions in the following forms (this is important):  “Permission-Giving Statements” which are cog distortions that in the mind of the offender gives them permission to behave deviantly (Erlt & McNamara, 1997).  Denial in which the offender “distort(s), minimize(s), blame(s), rationalize(s), or lie(s) to avoid responsibility.” Denial also protects them from shame, stigma and rejection of their families (Kahn & Lafond, 1988).  Therapy involves breaking through these cognitive distortions.

4.  The cycle of abuse is important. If the offender was abused as a child, he has learned to abused through social learning (Burton, 2003).  Psychological factors are important in treatment:  Cognitive-behavior techniques are used to prevent relapse, modify cognitive distortions, building empathy, impulse control, and skills training (Efta- Breitbach & Freeman, 2004).  Psychoeducation techniques such as sex ed and anger management are used Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004)..  Satiation training, covert sensitization and systematic desensitization is used to decrease deviant arousal patterns (Ertl & McNamara, 1997).

5.  Sex offenders come from dysfunctional families that are usually isolated (Wodarski & Johnson, 1988). As a result of this most sex offenders lack social skills.  Treatment modality is another social factor. Treatment can take place in the following forms (Efta-Breitbach & Freeman)  Group Therapy  Family Therapy  Multisystemic

6.  Sexual offenders buy into unattainable stereotypes about the “macho” man and the stereotypes that devalue women (Kahn & Lafond, 1988).  Due to their status as sex offenders, those who are on probation must abide by the stipulations of probation, special stipulations by the state court and the stipulations of being a registered sex offender (A. Harper, personal communication, October 27, 2008).

7. Burton, D. L. (2003). Male adolescents: sexual victimization and subsequent sexual abuse. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. 20(4), 277-296. Efta-Breitback, J. & Freeman, K. A., (2004). Treatment of juveniles who sexually offend: an overview. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 13(3), 125-138. Ertl, M. A., & McNamara, J. R. (1997). Treatment of juvenile sex offenders: a review of the literature. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. 14(3), 199-221. Greenfield, D. (2006). Organic approaches to the treatment of paraphilics and sex offenders [Abstract]. The Journal of Psychiatry & Law. 34, 437-454 Hilarski, C. (2008) The nonfamily sex offender. Handbook of Social Work in Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse. 103-177. Kahn, T. J. & Lafond, M. A. (1988). Treatment of the adolescent sexual offender. Child and Adolescent Social Work. 5(2), 135-148. Wodarski, J. S. & Johnson, S. R. (1988). Child sexual abuse: Contributing factors, effects and relevant practice issues. Family Therapy. 15(2), 157-173.