Rehabilitation Of a Sex Offender

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The Rehabilitation of a Sex Offender? The overall goal of sexual offender treatment programs is to reduce the likelihood of offender recidivism in the future. Research has proven this goal an undesirable task because the variables leading to sexual abuse are many and often debated over, and there is also considerable resistance often on the part of the offender to fully engage in the treatment process. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been the preferred method for sex offender treatment however recent studies indicate an increase in the acceptance of psychoanalytical therapy. This essay will describe the benefits and limits of psychoanalytical and cognitive therapy while contrasting the use of these theories in treating sex offenders. Clinical interest in issues of denial and accountability in sexual offenders can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s (Cowden & Morse, 1970). The origin of cognitive behavioral therapy dates back to the late 1970’s as the dominant approach to the treatment of sexual offenders (Marshall & Barbaree, 1990). The overall aim of cognitive behavioral treatment is to strengthen sex offenders with the self-management skills necessary to manage or avoid situations that increase their risk of recidivism in society. To successfully accomplish this, offenders are trained to alter their views in a pro-social direction, realize the negative consequences of their actions both for themselves and others, establish a less distorted view of their deviant behavior, develop more acceptable responses to meet their needs, and learn strategies to control deviant sexual arousal (Marshall, & Barbaree, 1990). As with any corrective measure in individuals, the effectiveness of these approaches rests in part on the offender’s cooperation and dedication to the treatment process. The old saying goes: a person cannot change unless he has the
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