Treatment of Juveniles Who Sexually Offend: An Overview

Abstract

Juvenile sexual offending is increasingly being recognized as a serious crime among youth. The prevalence of sexual offending and sexual reoffending suggests that many juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) may repeat their offending behaviors if not treated. However, clinical trials evaluating specific interventions are virtually nonexistent. Instead, the literature on the treatment of JSOs is marked by discussions of strategies that are hypothesized to be beneficial, as well as descriptions of treatment programs that exist across the country. Further, while existing literature suggests that treatment for JSOs may deter future sexual offending behaviors, it is unclear which, if any, aspects of these treatments promote the development of positive behaviors. A discussion of existing treatment approaches, effectiveness, and treatment considerations follows.

The Impact of Family Service Involvement on Treatment Completion and General Recidivism Among Male Youthful Sexual Offenders

“…It is without question that these important advancements have vastly contributed to the field's knowledge, but at the cost of neglecting to identify resilience characteristics, protective factors, or evaluate the efficacy behind several conventional therapeutic modalities (Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004;Spice et al, 2013;Yoder, 2014). Indeed, a "treat first, evaluate later" approach was embraced as juvenile treatment programs began to proliferate across the country (Bourke & Donohue, 1996;Metzner, Humphreys, & Ryan, 2009).…”

Service Approaches for Youths Who Commit Sexual Crimes: A Call for Family-Oriented Models

“…Cognitive behavioral interventions are frequently used in treatment (Reitzel & Carbonell, 2006;Ikomi, 2008;Ryan et al, 2010b;Veneziano & Veneziano, 2002) and work to alter youths' distorted cognitions that perpetuate movement through the cycle (Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004;Rich, 2011). In treatment, youths recognize and define their dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors while developing healthy, positive, and constructive cognitive concepts (Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004;Rich, 2011). Cognitive behavioral interventions can also be used separately from the cycle and are frequently used in individual, group, and family treatments.…”

“…The relapse prevention model, developed by Marlatt & Gordon (1985), was initially a framework for working with adults with alcohol and drug addiction. It has been adapted to sex offenders, and continues to be one of the most salient models in the treatment of sexually abusive youth (Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004). The relapse prevention model is a skill-based model in which youths recognize their triggers and high-risk situations that can lead to a relapse of sexually offending behaviors.…”

“…The relapse prevention model is a skill-based model in which youths recognize their triggers and high-risk situations that can lead to a relapse of sexually offending behaviors. As part of the intervention, youths begin to develop appropriate exit or coping strategies to deal with external and internal factors influencing maladaptive behavior patterns (Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004;Thakker, Ward, & Tidmarsh, 2006). This intervention is ingrained in the sexual offense cycle, as youths work to circumvent a relapse by recognizing and reducing exposure triggers and high-risk situations that lead them to re-offend .…”

Investigating the Relationship Between Supervisor Status and the Modus Operandi of Juvenile Sexual Offenders: A Routine Activity Theory Perspective

“…While these results suggest that some JSOs strategically offer to care for children as a precursor to committing CSA, more research is needed to determine which JSOs are most likely to make this decision prior to taking on childcare responsibilities and which are offending in a more opportunistic fashion. This will help treatment providers address the specific motivations, beliefs and cognitions that lead the JSOs in supervisory roles to commit CSA (Efta-Breitbach, & Freeman, 2004;Zankman & Bonomo, 2004).…”