<p>The purpose of this study is to examine what professionals tell about stress, rewards, impact and treatment in the professional treatment with young sexual offenders. Eleven qualitative interviews of half-structured design brought up results about the professional role in the treatment process. During the interviews the professionals described which methods of treatment they work with. We examined the methods through literature research, which was added to the study whit the purpose of strengthening the interview data. The professionals consider their work important and meaningful and they feel safe in their working role. They differentiated between the person and the actions in their view of a young offender, which non professionals many times are incapable of doing. There was no single factor causing the development of offensive behaviour, but rather a combination of factors. It was something that the professionals and researchers in the field agreed upon. In the professional work place they experienced both strains and rewards. Signs of stress could occur in terms of powerlessness, not feeling complete in their work. This could be due to work being a burdensome in itself and lack of professionalism working with the young offenders. The rewards in working with youth took many forms, including satisfaction when making progress, and motivated them to continue whit their work and to develop it even more. Methods of treatment for young sexual offenders were cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic theory, individual therapy, group therapy, environmental therapy, aggression replacement training and network therapy. The professionals found themselves having a lot of room for professionalism in their work although it also had challenges. The professionals said that it is always a challenge working whit young sexual offenders.</p> / <p><p>Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vad professionella berättar om påfrestningar, belöningar, påverkan och behandling i det professionella behandlingsarbetet med unga sexuella förövare. Utifrån elva kvalitativa intervjuer med en halvstrukturerad design framkom resultat om den professionella rollen i behandlingsarbetet. I intervjuerna tog de professionella upp vilka behandlingsmetoder de arbetade med, som vi undersökte genom litteratursökningar som tillkommit i studien med syfte att förstärka intervjudatan. De professionella ansåg sitt arbete viktigt och meningsfullt samt att de kände sig trygga i sin arbetsroll. De skiljde på person och handling i sin syn på en ung förövare, vilket de inte upplevde allmänheten hade förmåga till alla gånger. Det var ingen ensam faktor som gjorde att ett förövarbeteende utvecklades. Snarare var det en kombination av faktorer. Det var något som styrktes både av de professionella och forskare inom området. I det professionella arbetet kände de av både påfrestningar och belöningar. Påfrestningarna kunde yttra sig i vanmakt av att inte känna sig klara i sitt arbete, det kunde bero på det tunga området i sig samt brist på fler professionella som arbetade med de unga förövarna. Belöningar fanns i arbetet, som tog sig många former, bland annat glädje över olika framsteg med de unga som motiverade dem till att fortsätta med det arbete som tidigare gjorts samt utveckla det mer. Arbetet innebar en viss påverkan, både positivt och negativt beroende på vilken situation de befann sig i. Behandlingsmetoder för unga sexuella förövare var kognitiv beteendeterapi, psykodynamisk teori, individuell terapi, gruppterapi, miljöterapi, aggression replacement training samt nätverksarbete. I behandlingsarbetet upplevde de professionella sig ha stort utrymme för professionalitet som även innebar utmaningar.</p></p>

The purpose of this study is to examine what professionals tell about stress, rewards, impact and treatment in the professional treatment with young sexual offenders. Eleven qualitative interviews of half-structured design brought up results about the professional role in the treatment process. During the interviews the professionals described which methods of treatment they work with. We examined the methods through literature research, which was added to the study whit the purpose of strengthening the interview data. The professionals consider their work important and meaningful and they feel safe in their working role. They differentiated between the person and the actions in their view of a young offender, which non professionals many times are incapable of doing. There was no single factor causing the development of offensive behaviour, but rather a combination of factors. It was something that the professionals and researchers in the field agreed upon. In the professional work place they experienced both strains and rewards. Signs of stress could occur in terms of powerlessness, not feeling complete in their work. This could be due to work being a burdensome in itself and lack of professionalism working with the young offenders. The rewards in working with youth took many forms, including satisfaction when making progress, and motivated them to continue whit their work and to develop it even more. Methods of treatment for young sexual offenders were cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic theory, individual therapy, group therapy, environmental therapy, aggression replacement training and network therapy. The professionals found themselves having a lot of room for professionalism in their work although it also had challenges. The professionals said that it is always a challenge working whit young sexual offenders. / Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vad professionella berättar om påfrestningar, belöningar, påverkan och behandling i det professionella behandlingsarbetet med unga sexuella förövare. Utifrån elva kvalitativa intervjuer med en halvstrukturerad design framkom resultat om den professionella rollen i behandlingsarbetet. I intervjuerna tog de professionella upp vilka behandlingsmetoder de arbetade med, som vi undersökte genom litteratursökningar som tillkommit i studien med syfte att förstärka intervjudatan. De professionella ansåg sitt arbete viktigt och meningsfullt samt att de kände sig trygga i sin arbetsroll. De skiljde på person och handling i sin syn på en ung förövare, vilket de inte upplevde allmänheten hade förmåga till alla gånger. Det var ingen ensam faktor som gjorde att ett förövarbeteende utvecklades. Snarare var det en kombination av faktorer. Det var något som styrktes både av de professionella och forskare inom området. I det professionella arbetet kände de av både påfrestningar och belöningar. Påfrestningarna kunde yttra sig i vanmakt av att inte känna sig klara i sitt arbete, det kunde bero på det tunga området i sig samt brist på fler professionella som arbetade med de unga förövarna. Belöningar fanns i arbetet, som tog sig många former, bland annat glädje över olika framsteg med de unga som motiverade dem till att fortsätta med det arbete som tidigare gjorts samt utveckla det mer. Arbetet innebar en viss påverkan, både positivt och negativt beroende på vilken situation de befann sig i. Behandlingsmetoder för unga sexuella förövare var kognitiv beteendeterapi, psykodynamisk teori, individuell terapi, gruppterapi, miljöterapi, aggression replacement training samt nätverksarbete. I behandlingsarbetet upplevde de professionella sig ha stort utrymme för professionalitet som även innebar utmaningar.

This study aims to contribute to our knowledge about the under researched area of sexual grooming, first of all, by reviewing the available literature to establish a baseline of understanding and secondly by considering three different perspectives, which expanded our understanding further. In depth interviews, lasting between one hour and a total time of approximately four hours, were conducted with five adult survivors of child sexual abuse, six child sex offenders and six police officers with child protection experience. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the interview data, which identified four main themes: vulnerability, offenders’ self grooming, entrapment and grooming shadow. These themes highlighted an ecological view, which acknowledged the multiple factors influencing an individual’s experience of childhood sexual abuse, and recognised the dynamic nature of sexual grooming, including its apparent link between childhood experience of this phenomenon and adulthood. Attribution and perceived power were the most significant influences within the sexual grooming process. The analysis was used to develop a new definition and two models of sexual grooming, which capture the complexity of this phenomenon. These models provide a framework within which to understand sexual grooming and furthermore to communicate this understanding to a non-academic audience. The Grooming ‘Cycle’ is of particular value with regard to raising public awareness, which is an important aspect as the research has revealed that child protection can only be effective if everybody takes responsibility for it.

The aim of this thesis was to contribute to our understanding of the therapeutic relationship between clinicians and individuals who have committed sexual offences against children and adults. To do this a systematic review was carried out which explored the relationship between attachment styles and types of sexual offending to investigate whether there is an association between types of sexual offences and types of insecure attachment styles. 16 articles were identified and evaluated. The results of this review indicated that individuals who have sexually offended against children demonstrated more insecure childhood maternal and paternal attachments alongside higher rates of insecure adult attachment styles whereas individuals who have sexually offended against adults demonstrated a more variable pattern of maternal and paternal attachments. Types of sexual offending did appear to be related to different insecure attachment styles with child molesters predominantly identified as preoccupied and fearful and rapists classified as dismissing. A separate qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was also completed which explored the experiences of therapists involved in the delivery of group treatment for sexual offenders. Some of the experiences reported were similar to those outlined in previous studies (the importance of collegial support, the experience of intrusive cognitions, managing challenging characteristics of sexual offenders and the perception of being involved in protecting the public) but some were not (the prestige felt from belonging to a niche profession, the pride of pushing professional boundaries and the perception of protecting the patient and managing professional challenges) offering further insight into the possible types of experiences encountered. An awareness and appreciation for the integral role attachment status plays in sexually deviant behaviour enables clinicians to anticipate the relational dynamics that may emerge during treatment and modify interventions appropriately to facilitate effectiveness and maintain the therapeutic alliance. In addition by exploring the experiences of sex offender therapists an understanding of the ways in which the therapeutic relationship and a therapist’s sense of self may be impacted can be garnered (Hernandez, Engstom & Gangsei, 2010; Lyn & Burton, 2004) assisting individuals and organisations in ensuring that the rewards are maximised and the challenges supported and reduced.

En France les chercheurs se sont encore peu intéressés à l’évolution des auteurs d’infractions sexuelles en psychothérapie de groupe alors que les thérapeutes proposent fréquemment cette modalité thérapeutique à ces patients. Notre objectif est d’approfondir les connaissances sur cette population hétérogène et sur son évolution clinique suite à deux ans de thérapie groupale. Nous avons également cherché à mieux comprendre les changements observés. Vingt-huit auteurs d’infractions sexuelles ont participé à la première phase de notre étude et deux ans plus tard dix-sept ont effectué le retest. Nous avons fait le choix de recueillir des données issues des patients, des thérapeutes et du chercheur et de nous baser sur une approche quantitative et qualitative. Nos résultats révèlent des profils et des évolutions cliniques diverses. Des changements cliniques ont été repérés : une amélioration de la centration sur soi, de la perception de la réalité et des relations interpersonnelles ; une évolution des profils d’attachement narratifs vers davantage de cohérence, de réflexivité et d’authenticité ; un développement des capacités de mentalisation. Par contre, d’autres dimensions n’évoluent pas significativement notamment le fonctionnement défensif global ainsi que les troubles de la personnalité et certains patients restent stables entre T1 et T2. Notre recherche montre donc que les auteurs d’infractions sexuelles présentent des changements cliniques mais souligne la complexité de cette évolution. Cette étude permet de mieux comprendre les processus de changement et permet ainsi d’améliorer les prises en charge proposées. / In France, researchers have barely investigated the evolution of sexual offenders receiving group therapy whereas therapists regularly recommend this therapeutic modality to these patients. Our aim is to get better knowledge of this mixed population and their clinical evolution after two years of group therapy. We also focused on understanding better the observed changes. 28 sexual offenders took the first phase of our study and 17 of them took a re-test two years later. We decided to collect data from patients, therapists and the researcher, on a quantity and quality based approach. Our results show different profiles and clinical evolutions. Clinical changes appearing are: improvement in self-esteem, in perception of reality and in interpersonal relationships ; evolution of narrative attachment methods towards more coherence, reflexivity and authenticity ; development of mentalisation abilities. However, other dimensions don’t show substantial improvement, particularly global defense functioning and personality disorders and some of the patients remain stable between T1 and T2. Therefore, our study shows that sexual offenders go through clinical changes but emphasizes the complexity of this evolution. This study helps provide a better understanding of the process of change and therefore helps improve exisiting therapeutic modalities.

Despite a substantial expanse of literature addressing male sexual offending, the phenomenon of female sexual offending has only recently garnered empirical attention. While research remains nascent in nature, considerable advances have been made in the study of demographics, criminal characteristics, and typologies of female sexual offenders (FSOs). Similarities and differences between male and female sexual offenders have been the source of much speculation; however, hypotheses arising from this speculation have rarely been subjected to empirical scrutiny. Similarly, there has been limited examination of intra-group differences among FSOs. While myriad actuarial assessments have been developed for use with male offenders, similar measures for female offenders are practically non-existent. One notable exception is the Multiphasic Sex Inventory II (MSI II), an instrument with both male and female forms. The present study analyzed, compared, and contrasted the MSI II protocols of 300 male and female adult sex offenders.

Mental health professionals may lack the necessary knowledge and competency to work with female sexual offenders. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine whether gender influences attitudes toward sexual offenders and their treatment outcomes among psychology and mental health graduate students. This study was grounded in a dual form of deductive theory; alpha and beta bias was the primary theory and constructivism was the secondary theory. Data were collected from 186 graduate students in mental health programs from multiple universities. The Community Attitudes Towards Sex Offenders and the Attitude Towards the Treatment of Sexual Offender assessments were used to measure attitudes toward sexual offenders and attitudes toward sexual offender treatment. Factorial ANOVAs revealed a main effect for offender gender, with more negative attitudes toward female sexual offenders and the treatment of female sexual offenders. A significant interaction effect was found between gender of participant and gender of offender. Attitudes toward female treatment were more negative, particularly with male participants. Considering that most sexual offender treatment programs and awareness programs are geared toward male offenders, findings may be used to develop more effective policy and treatment for female sexual offenders.

Female sexual offenders have recently become the subject of increased medical, legal and public attention. However, the medical and legal systems insist that female sex crimes are rare regardless of the fact that when sexual victimization experiences are surveyed, the incidence of female perpetrated sex crimes is often higher than expected. Additionally, lay discourses concerning female sexual perpetration remain charged with expressions of disbelief and the vast majority of attention on sexual crimes therefore remains focused on male offenders. As a result, female sexual offenders are understood and treated differently to their male counterparts in the media and medico-legal contexts. In light of the continued denial of female sexual perpetration, this research explored how such beliefs around female sexuality shape the self-knowledge of female sexual offenders. By doing so, this investigation aimed to illuminate how disciplinary power acts to produce self-knowledge that, in turn, leads to the discursive coordinates by which female sexual offenders come to define themselves. This was achieved by interviewing female sexual perpetrators and thereafter drawing on critical discourse analysis in order to interpret the transcriptions of these interviews. The results demonstrated that the participants’ subjective experiences as agents and non-agents in the perpetration of sex crimes relied on social constructions of men, women, motherhood, sexuality and religion. All of the offenders constructed themselves as characteristically female- maternal, passive, vulnerable, victimised and innately virtuous. Their responses drew discernibly on rationalising discourse, gendered discourse, inversions of their femaleness, perceptions of the legal and correctional systems, institutionalised discourse, discourse on rehabilitation and expressions of morality and docility. Most of these discursive patterns, as both instruments and effects of power, simultaneously replicate and reproduce broader social discursive practices that imply that women are harmless, nurturing and incapable of female sexual perpetration. The availability of medical, academic and legal discourse on gender and sexuality allowed the participants to draw on victim discourse, histories of abuse and claims of psychological ailments to justify their crimes. These rationalisations also worked in conjunction with gendered discursive strategies that implied that men are aggressive perpetrators whilst women are harmless victims. As such, the perceived responsibility for the participants’ crimes was most often displaced onto their male accomplices. In this way, the participants upheld their subjective innocence as well as assisted in the maintenance of the construction of the female sexual perpetrator as an unfathomable and impossible construct. This was further emphasised by the fact that not a single participant believed she was guilty of a crime. Such a belief is in line with gendered constructions of criminality as a predominantly male activity. As such, the participants’ reproductions of traditional sexual scripts foreclosed alternative understandings of female sexual perpetration. While dominant patriarchal structures utilise discourse as a means to transmit, produce and reinforce power, this study drew on discourse as a means to resist traditional gendered understandings of sexual offending and to create new configurations of knowledge power by offering counter-knowledge of sex crimes. In doing so, academics, policy makers and the general public have access to a different and novel understanding of female sexuality in light of sexual offending. This has practical implications for the acknowledgement and awareness of female sexual perpetration as well as for future preventative efforts.

À ce jour, peu est encore connu sur les facteurs individuels, délictuels et situationnels permettant de prédire l’aveu d’agresseurs sexuels. Ceci pose particulièrement problème sachant que leur taux d’aveu est plus faible que les auteurs d’autres crimes et que cet aveu constitue souvent la seule preuve de culpabilité à leur égard. Une étude de cas-témoins a été privilégiée afin (1) d’identifier les facteurs associés à l’aveu et (2) d’en établir un modèle multivarié permettant de mieux comprendre la passation à l’aveu d’agresseurs sexuels en contexte d’entrevue d’enquête. Soixante-dix-huit hommes adultes ayant été reconnu coupables d’agression sexuelle ont été recrutés au Centre régional de réception, un établissement correctionnel fédéral situé au Québec (Canada), et divisés en deux groupes (c.-à-d. confesseurs vs non-confesseurs). Les résultats obtenus sont les premiers à mettre en valeur l’apport que peuvent avoir les facteurs situationnels relatifs à l’enquête (p. ex. type de preuve, consultation d’un avocat, cadre physique de l’interrogatoire) dans l’aveu d’agresseurs sexuels spécifiquement. Les résultats appuient également le fait qu'une approche intégrée de l'aveu, c’est-à-dire qui tiendrait à la fois compte des facteurs individuels, délictuels et situationnels, est à favoriser afin de mieux comprendre ce qui pousse les auteurs d'agressions sexuelles à avouer en contexte d'entrevue d'enquête. Les modèles de régression obtenus et leurs facteurs explicatifs seront discutés en lien avec leur incidence sur les pratiques policières en contexte d’entrevue d’enquête. / Much is still yet unknown of individual, offense and situational factors allowing to predict sexual offenders’ confession to their crime. This is particularly worrying given that sexual offenders’ confession rate is lower compared to other type of offenders and that their confession is often the sole evidence available. A case-control study was chosen to (1) identify factors associated to confession, and (2) elaborate a multivariate model helping to better understand sexual offenders’ decision to confess during an investigative interview. Seventy-eight adult males convicted of sexual aggression were recruited at the Regional Reception Centre, a federal correctional facility located in Quebec (Canada), and divided into two groups (i.e. confessors vs non-confessors). The obtained results were the first to highlight the contribution of situational factors pertaining to the investigation (e.g. type of evidence, consultation of a lawyer, setting of the interrogation room) in sex offenders’ confession specifically. The results also support an integrative approach to confession that would take into account individual, offense and situational factors in order to better understand what makes sexual offenders confess in an investigative interview. The regression models and the predictor variables within them are further discussed in relation to their implications for police practices in the interrogation room.

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