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Relapse Prevention as a Supervision Strategy for Sex Offenders

NCJ Number
164138
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 231-241
Author(s)
G F Cumming; M M Buell
Date Published
1996
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses relapse prevention (RP) as a supervision strategy for sex offenders.
Abstract
The supervision strategy presented in this paper is based on RP incorporating specialized conditions of probation tailored to the offender's risk areas and the creation of collateral community network. The authors discuss considerations during the case-planning process, development of a community-based collateral supervision network to assess the offender's self- management and supervision; team supervision of sex offenders; the use of surveillance with this population; and selective community notification. The latter refers to the mandatory notification to the community of a person's status as a sex offender. The authors note that the intent of community notification is public safety, but it is not clear that community notification achieves this. Critics argue that sex offenders will continue to find victims outside of the area of notification. Research has shown that most treated sex offenders learn how to manage and control their sexually abusive behaviors (Marshall and Barbaree, 1988, 1990; Pithers and Cumming, 1989). Effective behavioral change occurs in an atmosphere that acknowledges and supports offenders' potential for change, thereby reducing the threat they pose to their families and communities. 6 references