THUR, Oct 7 \ 14.30-16.30 \ Prevention Programs, I

037
NEW DIRECTIONS IN TREATING SEX OFFENDERS: HAVE WE NEGLECTED THE OBVIOUS?

Ron Langevin, Ph.D.
Juniper Associates, Etobicoke Ontario, Director
rlangevin@sprint.ca

Treatment gains for sex offenders reported in the professional literature over the past 40 years have been modest at best. Sizable numbers of sex offenders refuse treatment or, if they do participate in a treatment program, many are uncooperative or drop out before the termination of the program. In the present report, data from over 1000 sex offenders who were offered treatment were examined to evaluate the characteristics of the men who refuse treatment or drop out versus those who accept and complete treatment. The presence of sexual disorders, substance abuse, and learning disabilities are factors that are discussed with suggestions to improve treatment participation and outcome. Motivational strategies to encourage offenders to participate are examined.

038
TOWARDS A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SEXUAL ABUSE: THE U.K. EXPERIENCE

Roger Kennington
ex-Chair of NOTA, Probation officer, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Roger5ken@aol.com

It has been argued (Laws, Henry) that because so few abusers are ever prosecuted or receive treatment it would be more effective to adopt a Public Health approach to the management of sexual abuse. This involves three levels: Primary (stopping a problem before it starts); Secondary (researching and targeting high risk groups) and Tertiary (management to prevent the repeat of a problem). The U.K has broadened its approach to the management of sexual abuse in a way which reflects these levels. This has however been done in an ad hoc fashion. An examination of the U.K. experience may help others to adopt a more strategic approach

039
THE TREATMENT OF SEX OFFENDERS IN SPECIALIZED THERAPY UNITS IN GERMAN PRISONS

Rudolf Egg, Prof., Dr. Phil,
Director of the Centre for Criminology, Wiesbaden, Germany
r.egg@krimz.de

The treatment of sex offenders in Germany takes place in correctional institutions (prisons and forensic psychiat¬ric hospitals) and in non-custodial settings, particularly within the scope of probation. The paper presents and discusses a special form of treatment, the so-called social therapy facilities. These units are either independent prisons or separate departments of regular prisons for 30-60, in two cases for over 100 inmates. Originally these units were part of the Criminal Law Reform in the 1970's, aimed to rehabilitate sex offenders and other offenders with specials needs. Due to financial reasons, the development of these units came to a standstill after 1985. Until recently they also provided treatment only on a voluntary basis.
In the course of some severe sex offences an amendment of German Penal Law since 2003 enforces all sex offenders with a prison sentence of more than two years to be transferred to a social therapy unit. This new legislation led to an increase of those units and to new and more specified treatment programs for sex offenders. Currently, about 1,500 places are available in Germany altogether. According to several evaluation studies, results of this treatment form are positive, yet not excessively high: the effect size moves in the area of r = 10. One main reason for this rather weak outcome might be that most of the units have not (yet) established systematic aftercare programs.

040
ISSUES REGARDING THE TREATMENT AND MONITORING OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS: PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION.

Jennifer P Stergion
B.S., Clinical Psychology, M.S., Criminal Justice, J.D., Candidate
JENSAN Legal, Professional, and Organizational Education, USA
jpstergion@hotmail.com, iknowwhatsreallygoingon@hotmail.com

A discussion on the formation of the European Union and the autonomy of states in treating sexual offenders, this talk examines the development of a comprehensive and cohesive system regarding collaboration and the challenges ahead. We will look at the European Union's Constitution as well as selected states' legal structures as points of reference to compare and contrast and develop solutions. This discussion will offer a brief introduction to the development of a comprehensive system of monitoring sexual offenders and methods of preserving the integrity of the treatment process.

041
A MULTI-AGENCY MULTI SITE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SEXUALLY ABUSE OTHERS: WHAT IT TAKES TO CHANGE PRACTICE

Julie Henniker
Manager of the Assessment Intervention and Moving on (AIM) Project, Manchester, England
aimproject@msn.com
Tony Morrison, England
tonymorrison@btinternet.com

This presentation will outline the origins, framework and evaluation of the AIM project in Greater Manchester in the north west of England. This project has established an inter-agency framework for the referral assessment and management of young people who sexually abuse others. It involves collaboration across a population of 4 million people including ten social services departments, ten youth offending services, police, health, education and non government agencies and is co-ordinated by a development officer. It is thus one of the largest whole system programmes addressing the needs of young people who sexually abuse others. The author is the external consultant to the AIM programme. The project has been underpinned by a holistic assessment framework which emphasises needs, developmental issues, strengths and family factors as much as the sexual risks posed by the young person. Four integrated assessment protocols have been established covering: (1) mainstream young people (2) young people with disabilities (3) children under 10 yrs with sexually problematic behaviours and (4) parents and carers. Alongside this, a process of inter-agency training has underpinned the development of the frameworks and been the vehicle through which practitioners have been involved in refining and taking ownership of the model. The most recent stage in the project has been the development of therapeutic guides and programmes for work for young people. The programme has been subject to evaluation at a number of levels and the results of these evaluations will be reported.
In addition to describing the project and the evaluation findings, the presentation will also consider what this large scale 'practice change' programme tells us about what it takes to change and improve practice at the strategic as well as clinical level. Despite the largescale efforts of governments everywhere to reform the delivery of child welfare and youth justice services, such efforts have met with mixed results. The findings from the AIM programme also suggest valuable lessons to be learnt about what it takes to engage practitioners and their managers successfully in raising the standards ot practice.