Treatment of Individuals Who Have Offended Sexually: An Update on Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

This chapter provides an updated review of the evidence base for the treatment of individuals who have committed sexual offenses, with a focus on recent developments in treatment effectiveness and positive psychological approaches, as part of criminal justice reform. An earlier review of this literature concluded that existing evidence, while generally positive with regard to treatment effectiveness, was not adequately incorporated into policies, interventions, and programs for these individuals. Furthermore, while positive psychological approaches have been applied to treatment, their evidence base remained weak and under-researched. This chapter provides an updated review of the literature, finding additional evidence for treatment effectiveness, including positive psychological approaches. We conclude that there is sufficient evidence to undertake criminal justice reform and to improve services for individuals convicted of sexual offenses, and that the evidence provides clear direction for needed changes to policy and practice. Keywords Sexual offender treatment • Evidence-based practice • Criminal justice reform • Recidivism • Treatment effectivenessAn essential aspect of criminal justice reform is the application of evidence to inform policy and programs in the treatment of individuals who have committed sexual offenses. In a previous review of the empirical basis for sexual offender treatment (Yates & Kingston, 2016), we concluded that much had been done in recent decades to improve upon clinical practice and research efforts, but that significant shortcomings remained, particularly with regard to the application of evidence to intervention. Strengths identified included a research base that was supportive, if