Treatment of sexual offenders: Concepts and empirical evaluations

Lösel F, Schmucker M (2017)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 2017

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Edited Volumes: The Oxford handbook of sex offences and sex offending

Series: The Oxford Handbooks in Criminology and Criminal Justice

City/Town: New York

Pages Range: 392-414

ISBN: 978-0190213633

DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190213633.013.23

Abstract

This chapter contains an overview on concepts of sexual offender treatment and their effects in reducing reoffending. In the first part we briefly discuss various treatment approaches:  behavior modification, cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), relapse prevention (RP), psychodynamic treatment, therapeutic communities, multi-systemic therapy, pharmacological treatment and brain-oriented biofeedback techniques. The second part contains a synthesis of results from meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the effects of sex offender treatment. Overall, research reveals a positive treatment effect on sexual reoffending of d = 0.20 that indicates up to 25% less recidivism in treatment versus control groups. CBT, RP and programs based on the Risk- Need-Responsivity Model have the strongest evidence base. However, the studies and findings are very heterogeneous and outcomes vary depending on many treatment, setting, offender, and methodological factors. Most promising are programs with the following characteristics: treatment in the community and in forensic hospitals, delivered in a partly individualized mode, implemented with sound integrity, targeting medium to high-risk offenders, addressing young individuals, and being evaluated in well documented small studies. In contrast, programs in prisons, delivered merely in a group format, including low risk offenders, and evaluations in large samples show smaller or no effects. Recent developments aim to modernize and widen standard programs towards more differentiated interventions, but more sound evaluation research is needed. This also applies to combinations of psychosocial and pharmacological treatment.

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How to cite

APA:

Lösel, F., & Schmucker, M. (2017). Treatment of sexual offenders: Concepts and empirical evaluations. In B. Francis & T. Sanders (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of sex offences and sex offending. (pp. 392-414). New York: Oxford University Press.

MLA:

Lösel, Friedrich, and Martin Schmucker. "Treatment of sexual offenders: Concepts and empirical evaluations." The Oxford handbook of sex offences and sex offending. Ed. B. Francis & T. Sanders, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. 392-414.

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