Overview of rehabilitative efforts in understanding and managing sexually coercive behaviors.
In reviewing approaches to rehabilitative efforts in understanding and managing sexually coercive behaviors within the past two decades, one is struck by the development of two totally divergent paths. In 1971, there were a few civil commitment programs operated by mental health departments-most notably were the Sexual Psychopath Program at Western State Hospital in Fort Steilacoom, Washington, and the Massachusetts Treatment Center for Sexually Dangerous Persons. There were a few programs in prisons started by therapists who were interested in this population but given little recognition and even fewer resources. Additionally there were a handful of community-based programs including the J.J. Peters Institute in Philadelphia and PASO (Positive Approaches to Sex Offenders) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today there are thousands of specialized sexual offender treatment programs treating sexual abusers of every age, gender, ethnicity, and with a wide range of comorbid conditions. They are treated in the community, prisons, mental hospitals, residential facilities, and private practices. There is an international organization, a specialized research journal, and a specialized branch of the Department of Justice, the Center for Sex Offender Management. This chapter will provide an overview of the developments in the field, primarily covering the last 25 years. It will look at the evolution of theoretical approaches, the development of specialized approaches for subpopulations, significant landmarks, and possible future trends.
Schwartz
Barbara K
BK
Justice Resource Institute, Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02324, USA. bschwartz@jri.org
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003068:Coercion; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011640:Public Policy; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States