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Treating sexual offenders with intellectual limitations in the community

Leam A. Craig (Consultant Psychologist, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, at the Forensic Psychology Practice Ltd, The Willows Clinic, Sutton Coldfield, UK and at the Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK)
,
Ian Stringer (Consultant Psychologist, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist at the Forensic Psychology Practice Ltd, The Willows Clinic, Sutton Coldfield, UK and at the Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK)
and
Cheryl E. Sanders (Programme Facilitator at Northamptonshire Probation Service, Northampton, UK)

The British Journal of Forensic Practice

ISSN: 1463-6646

Article publication date: 10 February 2012

1160

Abstract

Purpose

–

This study summarises the results of a cognitive‐behavioural treatment group for sexual offenders (n=14) with intellectual limitations in the community.

Design/methodology/approach

–

All participants were convicted sex offenders serving probation orders or prison licences who attended a 14‐month treatment programme designed for sex offenders with intellectual limitations. The programme comprised of five main components: sex education; cognitive distortions; offending cycle; victim empathy; and relapse prevention. All participants completed psychometric measures specifically designed for people with intellectual limitations before and immediately after completing the treatment programme. The four core measures include: Victim Empathy; Sexual Attitudes and Knowledge Assessment (SAK); Questionnaire on Attitudes Consistent with Sexual Offenders (QACSO); and Sex Offences Self‐Appraisal Scale (SOSAS).

Findings

–

Post assessment results reveal significant improvements in sexual offence related attitudes; reductions in attitudes relating to cognitive distortions and pro‐sexual assault beliefs; and significant improvements in victim empathy.

Research limitations/implications

–

Although none of the participants have been reconvicted for committing new sexual offences during the follow‐up period, given that the follow‐up was restricted to 12 months post‐treatment, it is not possible to conclude this intervention was successful in reducing risk of sexual recidivism.

Originality/value

–

The results from this study support the use of cognitive‐behavioural approaches in demonstrating positive cognitive shift (reconstructing cognitive distortions and attitudes to victim empathy) for sexual offenders with intellectual limitations.

Keywords

Citation

Craig, L.A., Stringer, I. and Sanders, C.E. (2012), "Treating sexual offenders with intellectual limitations in the community", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 5-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636641211204423

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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