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Brief History of Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Sexual Offenders Treatment: Part 2. The Modern Era

NCJ Number
199853
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2003 Pages: 93-120
Author(s)
W. L. Marshall; D. R. Laws
Date Published
April 2003
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This is the second of two papers that outline the history of the development of behavioral and cognitive treatment of sexual offenders from the 1970’s to the present.
Abstract
In this second paper, the authors highlight the significant developments, trends, influences, and issues in the cognitive behavioral approaches to the treatment of sexual offenders. Picking up from where they left off in the first paper, the authors begin their historical account in the 1970’s where they discuss three major developments in assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. First, the 1970’s witnessed the further development of phallometric evaluations as the main feature of assessment, and the associated focus on modifying sexual preferences. Second, during the 1970’s, behavioral interventions broadened to include cognitive processes in the treatment of sexually deviant behavior. Finally, the 1970’s were noted for the expansion of more comprehensive treatment programs. Among the major practitioners of this era was the American psychiatrist Gene Abel, who was noted for his emphasis on behavioral and cognitive behavioral approaches in the treatment of sexual offenders. The authors next discuss the developments that occurred during the 1980’s, most notably the adaptation of the relapse prevention model of treatment from the field of addiction treatment. Other developments of the 1980’s included the focus on juvenile sexual offenders and other special populations, as well as the formulation of social learning theories in the attempt to understand sexual offending. Next, the authors note the significant developments made during the 1990’s, including the proliferation of treatment programs and the development of risk prediction instruments. The 1990’s also witnessed the passage into law of civil commitment laws in many States and the emergence of the public health approach to the understanding and treatment of sexual offenders. Finally in this article, the authors touch on current emerging trends in the treatment and understanding of sexual offenders, including a focus on the factors that emerge immediately prior to reoffending behavior by sexual offenders. In conclusion, the authors note that the field of treatment for sexual offenders has developed significantly since the 1800’s, but there remain unanswered questions concerning the etiology of sexual deviance and the most effective treatment measures for sexual offenders. References

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