SUPERVISION TREATMENT OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS Presented by John
SUPERVISION & TREATMENT OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS Presented by John Lynch, Yamhill Co. Juv. Dept.
THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A SECOND… • Almost every hand you’ve shaken has touched a penis.
LEARNING GOAL • To gain knowledge regarding the broad range of considerations when supervising offenders who have committed sexual offenses and to examine effective intervention strategies.
WE WILL COVER… • Myths about sex offenders • Common characteristics of sex offenders • Sexual offense recidivism rates • Risk factors that are/are not associated with recidivism • Common tactics of sex offenders
WE WILL COVER… • “Success-oriented” supervision model • The importance of communication • Specialized supervision conditions and success-oriented goals • How to respond to violations
WE WILL COVER… • Effective interventions • Common treatment goals • Use of the polygraph • Doing your job better & reducing your stress
SEX N O I S R E V R E D N E F F O
Debunking the Myths 1. Most sexual offenses are committed by strangers. Most sexual offenses are committed by someone known to the victim or victim’s family, regardless if the victim is a child or an adult. Approximately 60% of boys and 80% of girls who are sexually victimized are abused by someone known to the child or the child’s family. From 2005 to 2010, 78% of sexual violence involved an offender who was a family member, intimate partner, friend, or acquaintance.
Victim Relationship In a 2009 study conducted by the US Dept. of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 13, 471 juvenile sex offender cases were evaluated which revealed that in 88. 2% of reported incidents, the victim was either a family member or acquaintance. § Only 2. 5% involved a victim who was considered a stranger to the offender.
Rape and sexual assault victimizations against females by victim-offender relationship 1994– 1998, 1999– 2004, and 2005– 2010 Victim-Offender Relationship 1994 -1998 1999 -2004 2005 -2010 Stranger Non-stranger 21% 79% 25% 75% 22% 78% (includes former spouse, BF, GF) 28% 30% 34% Relative 9% 3% 6% Acquaintance 42% 38% Intimate Partner Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 1994– 2010.
Debunking the Myths 2. Sexual offense rates are higher than ever and continue to climb. § Despite the increase in publicity about sexual crimes, from 1995 to 2010, the estimated annual rate of female (age 12 or older) rape or sexual assault victimizations has declined 58%.
Debunking the Myths 3. Only a fraction of those who commit sexual offenses are apprehended and convicted for their crimes.
Debunking the Myths
Debunking the Myths 4. Public awareness and education about sexual offenses has lead to an increase of reporting such incidents. That’s crap!
Rape and sexual assault victimizations against females reported and not reported to police 1994– 1998, 1999– 2004, and 2005– 2010 Reporting to Police 1994 -1998 1999 -2004 2005 -2010 Not Reported 71% 59% 64% Reported 29% 41% 36% Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 1994– 2010.
Debunking the Myths 5. Few females commit sex offenses. According to the 2012 FBI Uniform Crime Report, females made up 0. 9% of total arrests forcible rape or other sex offenses, which is down from 1. 18% in 2008. In this same report, juvenile females represented 1. 5% of all juvenile sex offense arrests in 2012 which remained the same since 2008.
SEX OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS • Have fewer criminal offenses • Are less antisocial • Are more likely to have been sexually abused • Are more likely to have been exposed to sexual violence
SEX OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS • Are more likely to experience early exposure to pornography • Most began offending before age 12 • Have atypical sexual interests • Tend to be more socially isolated, anxious, and have lower self-esteem
SEX OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS • Deny committing the offense • Understate offense information • Understate numbers of victims • Most victims are known to the offender (Over 90%) • Victim median age is 7 years
SEX OFFENDER CHARACTERISTICS • Under 5% are actively psychotic • Are a heterogeneous group, spanning the entire social spectrum • Many achieve average or higher grades • Median age is 14 -15 years *
Debunking the Myths 6. Most sex offenders re-offend…once a sex offender, always a sex offender. Those who commit sex offenses are highly unlikely to commit another sexual offense. 2003 study of 9, 691 adult male sex offenders found a sexual recidivism rate of 5. 3% for the entire sample, based on an arrest during the 3 year follow-up period. Treatment vs. No Treatment 5. 17% vs. 17. 8% (Worling and Curwen, 2000).
RECIDIVISM Recidivism rates in Oregon for youth who sexually offend remain relatively low. Fiscal year 2013 – 36 month follow up on juvenile sex offenders under OYA supervision: § SO Probation youth – 7. 4% recidivism (person crimes = 21. 7% / property crimes = 20. 4%) § SO Parole youth – 11. 1% recidivism (person crimes = 31. 4% / property crimes = 35. 5%) 5. 3% recidivism among 1123 OYA registered Juvenile SO’s with 16 year follow-up.
RECIDIVISM Meta-analysis of 63 data sets that included 11, 219 juvenile sex offenders (Caldwell 2010). # of Studies Sex. Recidivism % Follow-up months Recidivism type Arrest Conviction 52 11 7. 5 8. 2 57. 7 43. 9 Population Community Residential Secured 24 21 18 7. 3 7. 1 7. 9 54. 8 54. 2 45. 5 Recidivism Time Juv. recidivism Adult recidivism Mixed 15 20 28 9. 9 6. 5 7. 6 30. 5 73. 8 57. 6
Debunking the Myths 7. Current public safety laws (registration, notification, residency/premises restrictions) have not been effective in reducing the number of sex crimes committed. A 2007 study conducted by the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections found that only 27 out of 224 (12%) sex offenders had contact with their victim(s) within one mile of the offenders’ home. § NOT ONE offender had contact with a victim near a school, park, or playground. Sex offender registries and premises restrictions are designed to target repeat offenders. § Nearly 96% of all sex crimes are committed by first -time offenders.
Debunking the Myths 8. Sex offenders typically are victims of child sexual abuse who grow up to be adult sex offenders. Results from recent studies vary, but most report that about 50% of sex offenders have a reported childhood abuse history. Although a history of sexual abuse may increase the risk for a person to commit a sex offense as an adult, the majority of children who are victims of abuse never go on to sexually offend.
Potentially Misleading Risk Factors Sexual abuse during childhood Denial of sexual crime Lack of victim empathy Use of force/violence in offending Low motivation for treatment at intake Neglect or physical abuse during childhood Low self-esteem / loneliness
Factors Associated with Recidivism Among Sexual Offenders The strongest predictors of sexual recidivism: 1) Sexual drive/preoccupation (deviant sexual interests, stranger or multiple victims, continued offending despite being sanctioned) 2) Antisocial orientation (antisocial personality, antisocial traits, history of rule violations, general self-regulation problems / impulsivity)
Factors Associated with Recidivism Among Sexual Offenders Significant relationship to sexual recidivism: Attitudes supportive of sexual offending / antisocial behaviors Intimacy deficits (intimate relationship conflicts / emotional identification with children) Incomplete offense-specific treatment
Debunking the Myths 9. Most sex offenders rely on some type of force or aggression in the commission of a sexual offense. § National statistics regarding non-injury to the victim during offense: § § Juvenile SO’s under 12 – Juvenile SO’s 12 & over – Juvenile female SO’s – Juvenile male SO’s – 88. 8% 86. 9% 87. 6% 87. 0%
SEX OFFENDER TACTICS • With the following tactics, rely on your instincts; consult with treatment provider and/or supervisor • Denial • Minimization • Justification/Rationalization • Blaming
SEX OFFENDER TACTICS • Manipulative intent (false trust) • Sharing intimate/personal secrets • Convincing of their goodness • Giving impression of responsibility • Befriending physically/emotionally vulnerable people • Triangulation
SEX OFFENDER TACTICS • Discussing sexual scenarios • Boundary violations • Invading body space • Horseplay • Demands time/attention • Attempts to discredit others
SEX OFFENDER TACTICS • Blackmail • Bribery or trickery • Ingratiation • Targets with demeaning comments, sexual put downs, or sexual profanity • Attempts to verbally control interviews • Rallies support *
Debunking the Myths 10. It is less expensive to provide a sex offender with one year of treatment than one year of incarceration. One year of intensive treatment (2 individual sessions and 1 group session per week) in the community would cost around $10, 400 per year. The cost for holding a youth in a detention facility for one year would be about $54, 750 (at $150 per day) and no treatment would be done.
Treatment Works! For sex offender treatment to be most effective, it should be empirically based, offense-specific, and comprehensive. Such treatment should address: § Victimization awareness and empathy training § Cognitive restructuring § Sexual abuse cycle and relapse prevention § Interpersonal skills development § Changing deviant sexual arousal patterns
Treatment Works! As stated earlier, research has shown a strong link between failure to complete sex offender treatment and increased risk to reoffend. Research has also consistently shown that for those offenders who have completed treatment, their risk of committing another crime (sexual or otherwise) is lower than those who have not received treatment.
Treatment Works! A 2002 meta-analysis on the effectiveness of current treatment methods for sex offenders showed, for the first time, a significant difference between recidivism rates for sex offenders who were treated and those who were not. § Sexual Recidivism – no treatment = 17. 4% § Sexual Recidivism – treatment = 9. 9% § General Recidivism – no treatment = 51% § General Recidivism – treatment = 32%
SUCCESS-ORIENTED APPROACH TO SUPERVISION
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “FOCUS ON SUCCESS”? • Ensure that offenders meet expectations • Hold offender accountable for behaviors • Collaborate with others to improve functioning and promote stability of offender
IT IS ON US AS JUVENILE JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS TO… • Demonstrate the desire to work collaboratively…
COLLABORATION ENHANCES SUPERVISION PLANNING • Access key information from multiple sources • Cover all bases • Increased awareness of changes over time
IT IS ON US AS JUVENILE JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS TO… • Demonstrate the desire to work collaboratively • Ask for participation and help from the outset • Solicit family perspectives and goals • Reinforce the positive outcomes that we are working towards
IT IS ON US AS JUVENILE JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS TO… • Educate others about the system • Explain risk/protective factors • Develop trust over time through… • Follow through • Mutual accountability • Communication
COMMUNICATION… IS IT DIFFERENT? • Keep in mind your role and your goal! • Most of us are good at addressing a conflict, but this may be different. • You must constantly be assessing! • Assessing what? ? • • Sex offender-specific risk factors General criminogenic needs Protective factors and strengths Responsivity
COMMUNICATION • Communication is key • Focus on rapport building • More listening – less talking • Utilize your active listening skills • Emphasize congruence: • Your tone of voice, body language and content of your message should fit together
COMMUNICATION • Ask open ended questions • Employ active listening skills • Paraphrase, clarification, and feedback • Provide positive reinforcement • Take your time • Expect denial
COMMUNICATION • Watch for facial and non-verbal cues • Learn to be comfortable with silence • Note inconsistencies – challenge now or later? • Ask for help with any confusion
THE IMPORTANCE OF CANDOR • As hard as it may be to say, or families to hear, tell them the truth • Be genuine – demonstrating honesty in what you say, feel, and do • Be respectful • And never forget Dalton’s advice from The Double Deuce…
BE NICE !!!
SUCCESS-ORIENTED GOALS • Participate in pro-social recreational and leisure activities • Achieve and maintain positive community adjustment • Establish positive peer groups • Secure appropriate employment
SPECIALIZED SUPERVISION CONDITIONS • Technology restrictions - we will ALWAYS be behind! • Internet accessible devices, such as… • No internet in bedrooms • Internet blocks and monitoring programs (i. e. Net Nanny, Covenant Eyes) • Check My-Space, Facebook accounts
SPECIALIZED SUPERVISION CONDITIONS • Be aware of “hidden vault” apps where pictures and videos can be stored on cell phones • Limits on movies, TV programming, and video games • Prior approval of extracurricular and employment activities • Restrictions on contact with victims or other vulnerable individuals • Follow all treatment recommendations
Polygraph
CURRENT EQUIPMENT
DISCLOSURE POLYGRAPHS • To help break denial • To help complete a sexual history § Usually administered after several months of initial treatment • Used to verify accuracy and veracity of written sexual history
MAINTENANCE POLYGRAPHS • Used to determine compliance with treatment or probation conditions • Generally administered every 3 -6 months • Individual polygraph examiners will vary in test administration
SPECIFIC-ISSUE POLYGRAPHS • Entire test covers one specific issue or detail: • Did you insert your penis into Sally’s vagina? • Did you touch Sally’s bare breast?
USE OF THE POLYGRAPH • Polygraph results should never be the sole factor in making case decisions.
POLYGRAPH DATA • Victims disclosed pre-polygraph: • 63 (avg. of 2. 5 per offender) • Victims disclosed post-polygraph: • 403 (avg. of 16 per offender) • Gender of victims: • Male - 63 (15%) • Female - 340 (85%) Source: Data from 25 youth who passed disclosure polygraphs at Mac. Laren Youth Correctional Facility, OR (1995/1996)
POLYGRAPH DATA • Age range of victims: • Male: 1 -19 (Median age: 10) • Female: 1 -25 (Median age: 13) • Hands-on offenses pre-polygraph: <700 • Hands-on offenses post-polygraph: 8351 • Average # of offenses post-polygraph: 334 Source: Data from 25 youth who passed disclosure polygraphs at Mac. Laren Youth Correctional Facility, OR (1995/1996)
POLYGRAPH DATA • Age of offender at time of first offense: • 5 - 8 yrs: • 9 -12 yrs: • 13 -15 yrs: 36% 48% 16% 84% • Offenders who claimed to be victims of sexual abuse: 92% Source: Data from 25 youth who passed disclosure polygraphs at Mac. Laren Youth Correctional Facility, OR (1995/1996)
HINDMAN STUDIES (ADULTS) Average # of victims Sexually abused child Sexually abused others as child Self-Reported (347) Polygraphed (454) 2. 4 as 64% 11. 5 24% 72% 30% Analysis of three studies conducted by Jan Hindman 1978 -1999
HINDMAN STUDIES (JUVENILES) 6 Juveniles Pre-poly Post-poly # of victims 2. 1 11. 6 Sexually abused 83% 17%* *Another study of 87 outpatient juveniles indicated a rate of 40%. Nampa Boys Home, Nampa, ID, 1994 Study conducted by Jan Hindman
CAN’T/SHOULDN’T TEST • Child under 12 • Offenders with an I. Q. under 80 • Actively psychotic offenders • Those sleep deprived/exhausted • People suffering recent trauma • Offenders taking certain medications (may not be able to respond) *
BEING BETTER AT YOUR JOB & REDUCING YOUR STRESS • Be Clear • Don’t create confusion with words or phrases offender may not understand • Avoid the use of jargon • Be Consistent – families and offenders should KNOW what to expect from you • Repeat themes and concepts
BEING BETTER AT YOUR JOB & REDUCING YOUR STRESS • Confront…when necessary • And remember it’s NOT personal, so don’t make it so!
NEXT WEEK… Crimes of Violence & Terrorism
- Slides: 69