Déjà vu: from Furby to Långström and the evaluation of sex offender treatment effectiveness

Levenson, Jill S.; Prescott, David S.

doi:10.1080/13552600.2013.867078

Cited by 26 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…There is much that is still unknown about what works in sex offender treatment. Alternative models of treatment are beginning to emerge in the field, such as the good lives model (Ward & Fortune, 2013) and a treatment-informed care approach (Levenson, 2014; Levenson & Prescott, 2014). It will be important for researchers to test and compare these approaches with the more standard CBT approach that currently dominates the field.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Longitudinal Outcome Evaluation of a Prison-Based Sex Offender Treatment Program

2016

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Sex offender outcome studies continue to produce mixed results. A common critique of these studies is their lack of methodological rigor. This study attempts to address this critique by adhering to the standards established by the Collaborative Outcome Data Committee (CODC) aimed at increasing the quality and confidence in outcome studies. We examined recidivism outcomes for a sample of formerly incarcerated sex offenders who participated in a state prison-based cognitive-behavioral-skills-based treatment program. We used propensity score analysis to compare treatment participants with a matched sample of non-participants. The final sample post-matching ( n = 512) was observed for a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 14 years. Using survival analysis, findings indicate that there were no differences in recidivism rates between treatment participants and non-participants in sexual or violent crimes. However, participants demonstrated significantly lower rates of recidivism for non-violent crimes. We discuss strengths, limitations of the study, and implications of these findings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Longitudinal Outcome Evaluation of a Prison-Based Sex Offender Treatment Program

2016

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“…To avoid such gaps in the future, we will administer the SPV half-yearly. Furthermore, we started to include a second relative measure of recidivism (changes in the intensity of sexual offenses), since the combination of the two measures frequency and intensity offer a means to evaluate improvement in outcome more precisely (54).…”

Section: Self-reported Sexual Offenses Against Children and Adolescentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of Sexual Child Abuse: Preliminary Results From an Outpatient Therapy Program

et al. 2020

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In Germany, access to outpatient treatment services devoted to the prevention of (further) sexual offenses against minors and child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses is often limited. The therapy project "Prevention of Sexual Abuse" tries to fill this gap by providing treatment to patients with a self-reported sexual interest in children and adolescents, irrespective of whether or not they are pedophilic or prosecuted by the legal justice system. Within the project, a treatment manual was developed which specifically addresses dynamic risk-factors in child sexual abusers and CSEM offenders. The treatment manual was conceived to reduce recidivism risk and to contribute to the enhancement of the patients' personal wellbeing. In this paper, results of the accompanying scientific research are presented: offensesupportive attitudes (N = 23), self-reported CSEM use (N = 10), emotional distress (N = 24), and participants' subjective risk perception of committing (further) sexual offenses (N = 25) reduced during the course of treatment. A reduction of offense-supportive attitudes was further observed from pre-intervention to 1-year follow-up (N = 8). Changes with regard to selfefficacy, quality of life, participants' self-perceived ability to control sexual impulses toward children and adolescents permanently, and several measures assessing different kinds of sexual recidivism did not, however, reach any level of significance. During an average observation period of 2.4 years, six patients confessed to have conducted new sexual exploitation material offenses, while no further sexual abuse cases were reported (N = 19). Due to the used research design and small sample sizes, treatment effects cannot be inferred and external validity is limited. This notwithstanding, results provide first evidence for a relationship between treatment participation and self-reported recidivism and psychological well-being.

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“…Nearly 30 years later, sexual violence researchers continue to have difficulty deciding what is the best way to demonstrate treatment efficacy, with many suggesting that randomized controlled trials (RCT) are the only real way to know for sure (e.g., Långström et al, 2013;Seto, Marques, et al, 2008). Others, however, have suggested that RCT methods are difficult to use in assessing treatment for persons engaging in sexual violence and that there may be ethical considerations (see Levenson & Prescott, 2014;Marshall & Marshall, 2007.…”

Section: 'Nothing Work' and The Rise Of Effective Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restorative and responsive human services

Sharpe¹

2020

The International Journal of Restorative Justice

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Rules against violence, bullying, child abuse, and sexual assault too often fail to improve safety while escalating the numbers of individuals incarcerated, separated from their families, schools, and chances for learning and starting anew. Restorative justice methods make inroads but remain marginal or even coopted by dominant and punitive approaches, but the authors of this book demonstrate how prevention strategies and rigorous efforts to strengthen relationships and communities can better protect individuals and communities from violence and other harms. Drawing lessons from settings as diverse as a nuclear power plant meltdown, auto industry cheating on emissions, and a sports stadium riot, to foster care crises and campus sexual assault and harassment, this book shows the elements in lasting solutions that draw on knowledge and build capacities of those most affected and the concentric circles of communities, professionals, and flexible systems focused on fixing problems rather than stigmatizing individuals."Martha Minow, A.B., Ed.M., J.D. Author, Between Vengeance and Forgiveness 300th Anniversary University Professor, Harvard University "This groundbreaking collection from the leading theorists of responsive regulation and restorative justice offers an insightful investigation of alternatives to the prevailing punitive authoritarian approach to human services and regulation. Contributors offer impressive evidence of the benefit of an empowerment relational approach to human services as well as the ability of ordinary citizens to, in turn, demand state and market accountability -whether on behalf of nursing home residents, farmworkers, or child-welfare involved African American mothers. The book places restorative justice and responsive regulation in dialogue and examines critically overlapping goals as well as divergence. It is a must-read not only for human service providers and policy makers, but for all who seek justice and who believe in the capacity of communities to create social change."

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Déjà vu: from Furby to Långström and the evaluation of sex offender treatment effectiveness

Cited by 26 publications

References 57 publications

A Longitudinal Outcome Evaluation of a Prison-Based Sex Offender Treatment Program

A Longitudinal Outcome Evaluation of a Prison-Based Sex Offender Treatment Program

Prevention of Sexual Child Abuse: Preliminary Results From an Outpatient Therapy Program

Restorative and responsive human services

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