Treatment of Sexual Offenders and Its Effects

In the early 1980s research began to reveal high rates of sexual offending in various English-speaking countries (Baker & Duncan, 1985; Finkelhor, 1984; Russell, 1984). Unfortunately, the response by both the media and politicians to these revelations took the form of harsh punishments for the offenders (FreemanLongo & Blanchard, 1998; Sampson, 1994). This approach was consistent with the sentiment of the time that rehabilitation efforts were wasted on criminals (Martinson, 1974). However, subsequent research has shown that harsh responses to crime (such as longer sentences and more severe sanctions) actually increase, rather than reduce, re-offence rates (Andrews, 2003; McGuire, 2002). Furthermore, there is now convincing evidence that treatment for all types of criminals can effectively reduce recidivism (Andrews, Zinger, Hoge, Bonta, Gendreau, & Cullen, 1990; Redondo, Sanchez-Meca, & Garrido, 2002). For sexual offenders the evidence is mounting that treatment can be effective (Marshall & McGuire, 2003). This paper will outline the governing principles of sexual offender treatment, the necessary issues that must be addressed in such treatment, how the treatment should best be applied, and the benefits of such treatment.