Assignment:
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 this week's 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.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 4 your position on the degree/extent to which sex offenders can be rehabilitated. Justify your response with references to this week's Learning Resources. Explain what sex offender treatment should entail and any other consequences sex offenders should face.