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This chapter presents an overview of treatment approaches for Persons with Sexual Offense Histories (PSOHs). These approaches include those that have been used historically, such as behavioural interventions, and those that have come into use more recently, such as interventions based on the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model and the Good Lives Model (GLM). Models that integrate or update aspects of these frameworks are also discussed – one of these is the newly developed Integrated Risk Assessment and Treatment System (IRATS), which has shown promise among high-risk, high-need populations. The chapter also describes subgroups of PSOHs that may warrant additional consideration in treatment. Although heterogeneity exists among PSOHs, groups such as female PSOHs, juvenile PSOHs and those engaged in online sexual offenses may present with unique treatment needs that could be addressed by service providers. For these and other groups, treatment efficacy may depend on factors including the formation of a therapeutic alliance and attention to cultural barriers and histories of trauma. Future considerations for ongoing treatment development are included.
There is growing support surrounding what constitutes a successful treatment approach and that treatment for sexual offenders can reduce recidivism for some, yet there is still considerable debate concerning its real effectiveness. This chapter discusses the treatment approaches that have historically been used with sexual offenders, and how these can feed into future directions in work with this population. Earlier, the treatment of sexual offending focused on behavioural interventions, followed by the addition of the cognitive component of cognitive-behavioural treatment. The current perspective is that sexual offender treatment should be offered in a manner that considers the literature surrounding 'What Works' in offender rehabilitation. Newer approaches have been suggested which address some of the criticisms of the psychology of criminal conduct. In particular, the movement towards more positively oriented (as opposed to just risk management oriented) treatment approaches such as the Good Lives model, are encouraging and hold great potential.