Treating Sexual Offenders With Learning Disabilities in the Community

Abstract

This study offers a critical review of a treatment group for sexual offenders with learning disabilities. The participants were diverted from criminal proceedings due to their level of cognitive functioning and attended a 7-month treatment program comprising of four main components: sex education, cognitive distortions, offending cycle, and relapse prevention. A number of psychometric assessments were administered immediately before and after intervention. Although no significant differences were found in attitudes toward sexual offending following treatment, the trend was for improvements in sex knowledge and honesty of sexual interest. Improvements in socialization skills (leisure time and interpersonal skills) were significant. No further incidents of sexual offending have been reported during a 12-month follow-up. A number of explanations for the nonsignificant improvement in attitudes are considered and recommendations for future treatment evaluation studies are made. The development of specific questionnaires and treatment programs for sexual offenders with learning disabilities is discussed.

A Systematic Review of Behavioral Health Interventions for Sex Offenders With Intellectual Disabilities

“…Treatment programs for sex offenders with IDD were implemented in a variety of settings and nations including prisons, hospitals, assisted living arrangements, and private homes in the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Twelve studies were conducted in the United Kingdom (Craig et al, 2006; Craig et al, 2012; Lindsay, Marshall, et al, 1998; Lindsay, Neilson, et al, 1998; Lindsay et al, 2011; Lindsay et al, 1999; Lindsay & Smith, 1998; Michie & Lindsay, 2012; Murphy et al, 2007; Murphy et al, 2010; Rose et al, 2002; Rose et al, 2012), three studies were conducted in Australia (Keeling et al, 2006b, 2007; O’Connor, 1996), two in the United States (Rea et al, 2014; Singh et al, 2011), and one in New Zealand (Sakdalan & Collier, 2012). …”

Assessment and treatment of offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities

“…These authors reported no reoffending at one year follow-up. The difficulties associated with treatment evaluations in this 26 client group is illustrated by a treatment study of six sex offenders with ID by Craig, Stringer and Moss (2006). Following a seven month treatment programme incorporating cognitive behavioural aspects and sex education, they found no significant improvements on any measure including assessments of sexual knowledge.…”

Adaptations and Developments in Treatment Programmes for Offenders with Developmental Disabilities

“…Others have reported similar successful behavioural programmes for this group (Grubb-Blubaugh, Shire, and Baulser, 1994;Haaven, Little, and PetreMiller, 1990) but one of the difficulties in long-term evaluation of these systems is that participants continue to be monitored and managed on a 24-hr basis by staff. This was illustrated by a treatment study of six sex offenders with ID by Craig, Stringer, and Moss (2006). Following a 7-month treatment programme incorporating sex education, addressing cognitive distortions, reviewing the offence cycle and promoting relapse prevention, they found no significant improvements on any measures including assessment of sexual knowledge.…”