Community-based treatment for child sex offenders: an evaluation

Allam, Jayne (2000). Community-based treatment for child sex offenders: an evaluation. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This project was designed to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the West Midlands Probation Service (WMPS) sex offender treatment programme. The study examines treatment impact on a sample of 126 adult male child sexual abusers (CSAs) who were referred to the programme between January 1995 and January 1997. It was postulated that treated sex offenders would be reconvicted at a significantly lower rate than untreated offenders and that psychometric tests would reveal lower levels of deviance (denial and minimisation, cognitive distortions, poor victim empathy, sexual dysfunction) post treatment than prior to treatment. With an average time at risk of 2.5 years, the reconviction rate for the treated sample was significantly lower, at a third of that of a sample of matched controls. In addition, significant improvements were found for the treatment group in levels of deviance as measured by psychometric tests. Therefore, both hypotheses were accepted. These results are consistent with a number of other treatment evaluations and indicate that treatment can be effective in lowering reconviction rates and in reducing the denial, distortions and deviance associated with sexual offending. However, it is suggested that treatment providers need to target treatment provision more effectively, taking into account the needs of individual offenders and working in tandem with other agencies to ensure maximum protection of children.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):