Discussion Post: Sex Offender Rehabilitation
Sexual crimes cover a wide range of criminal behavior including, but not limited to, rape, child molestation, lascivious acts, and indecent exposure. They also include acts that, while legal themselves if consensual, were forced upon persons who did not consent, are developmentally disabled, are minors, or have been drugged, just to name a few potential scenarios. An important question for anyone working with sex offenders in any capacity-whether in the criminal justice arena, in human services capacities, or in mental health professions-is whether or not sex offenders can be rehabilitated.
Can sex offenders be rehabilitated? Should sex offenders be treated, or should the focus be on punishing them? If they should be treated, then when and how should treatment be done and what are the treatment implications for counselors?
To prepare for this Discussion, review the Learning Resources on sex offender rehabilitation. Consider your position on whether sex offenders can be rehabilitated and what sex offender treatment should entail, especially as it relates to counseling. You may also wish to search through the sex offender registry for your jurisdiction.
Post your position on the degree/extent to which sex offenders can be rehabilitated. Justify your response with references to Learning Resources. Explain what sex offender treatment should entail and any other consequences sex offenders should face.
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.
Readings
• Course Text: Murray, C., Pope, A., & Willis, B. (2017). Sexuality counseling: Theory, research, and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
o Chapter 6, "Sexuality and Mental Health"
• Article: Boroughs, M. S., Valentine, S. E., Ironson, G. H., Shipherd, J. C., Safren, S. A., Taylor, S. W., Dale, S. K., Baker, J. S., Wilner, J. G., O'Cleirigh, C. (2015). Complexity of childhood sexual abuse: predictors of current post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, substance use, and sexual risk behavior among adult men who have sex with men. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 44(7), 1891-1902. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Hames, C., Winder, B., & Blagden, N. (2016). 'They treat us like human beings'-experiencing a therapeutic sex offenders prison: impact on prisoners and staff and implications for treatment. International Journal of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology, (4), 371. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Kim, B., Benekos, P. J., & Merlo, A. V. (2016). Sex Offender Recidivism Revisited. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 17(1), 105-117. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Levenson, J. S., Willis, G. M., & Prescott, D. S. (n.d.). Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Lives of Male Sex Offenders: Implications for Trauma-Informed Care. Sexual Abuse - A Journal of Research and Treatment, 28(4), 340-359. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Marshall, W. L., & Hollin, C. (2015). Historical developments in sex offender treatment. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 21(2), 125-135. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Website
• U.S. Department of Justice (n.d.). The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW).