This book provides an up-to-date analysis of major issues in the field of sexual abuse, both established and emerging, and asks how we can develop the most evidence-based, fit-for-purpose approach in responding to and preventing it. Sexual abuse is a multi-disciplinary, international issue that exists at the crossroads of theory, practice, and research. Therefore, the book is future-facing and asks the reader to critically reflect upon current and future research and practice, and to ask: what next? In doing this the book examines the theory, research, and practice on a range of topics including, grooming behaviors, risk management, risk assessment, sexual fantasies, professional engagement, and policy development. These, and other essential topics for effective and efficient care for people who have committed sexual offenses, are addressed as part of the ultimate goal to reduce and even eliminate sexual victimization in the future.
Author(s): Kasia Uzieblo, Wineke J. Smid, Kieran McCartan
Series: Palgrave Studies in Risk, Crime and Society
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 343
City: London
Preface
References
Acknowledgements
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Part I: Sexual Offending Behaviours
1: The Complexities of Understanding Sexual Grooming Behaviours
Overview of Sexual Grooming
Sexual Grooming Behaviours
Global Research on Sexual Grooming
Challenges to Understanding Sexual Grooming
The Behaviours Are Not Unlike Normal Adult/Child Interactions
There Are Multiple Definitions of Sexual Grooming
There Are Numerous Proposed Models of Sexual Grooming
Future Directions
Research
Clinical Evaluation and Treatment
Investigation, Prosecution, and Policy
Primary Prevention
Conclusion
References
2: Understanding Sexual Fantasising: Implications for Forensic Practice and Research
Understanding Sexual Fantasising
Approaching the Topic in Practice
Assessing Sexual Fantasising
Managing and Treating Sexual Fantasising
Conclusion
References
3: Lethal Outcome in Sexual Assaults: Predicting the Unpredictable?
What Is a Sexual Homicide?
First Generation: Descriptive Studies
Second Generation: Comparing Sexual Assaults to Sexual Homicides
Third Generation: Comparing Violent Sexual Assaults, Non-Violent Sexual Assaults, and Sexual Homicides
Implications for Assessment and Treatment
What Is Next?
References
4: Abuse at the Heart of the Family: The Challenges and Complexities of Sibling Sexual Abuse
A Brief Overview of Current Research
Differentiating Normative from Abusive Sibling Sexual Behaviour
Risk Assessment
Decision-Making regarding Sibling Living and Contact Arrangements
Future Directions for Research and Practice
Concluding Thoughts
References
Part II: Assessment of People Who Have Committed a Sexual Offence
5: Using Indirect Measures of Sexual Interest in Forensic Contexts: Past, Present, and Future
Past Developments: Validation of Indirect Measures of Sexual Interest
Criterion, Convergent, and Predictive Validity
Present Developments: Using Indirect Measures of Sexual Interest
Combining Indirect Measures into Test Batteries
Scoring Approaches for Indirect Measures
Reliability Matters
Underlying Psychological Processes
The Future of Indirect Measures
References
6: Working with Individuals Who Have Accessed Child Sexual Exploitation Material: Assessment Strategies and Future Developments
Exploring Pathways to CSEM Offending Behaviour
The CPT and its Assessment Domains
Offending Behaviour
Developmental Context and Psychological Vulnerabilities
Permission-giving Thoughts
Sexual Arousal
Offending Environment
Personal Situation
Evaluation of Consequences
Protective Factors
CPT and Functional Analysis
Lessons Learnt and Future Directions
So Where Do We See the Field Going?
References
7: We Are Not There Yet: Contemporary Challenges for Risk Assessment and Management
Back to Basics
Interrater Reliability: The Elephant in the Room
Not Everyone Strictly Follows the Guidelines
Similarity in Scoring is More Difficult to Obtain with Some Items and Tools
Evaluators do Not Always Rely on the Same Information
Human Beings are Biased
Remedial Actions in Practice
From Risk Assessment to Risk Management: Lost in Translation
Implementing a Tool in Practice: More than Meets the Eye
Involvement
Leadership
Communication
Resources
Training
Human Factor
Integration
Monitoring
Follow-up Training
To Conclude
References
8: Towards an Integration of Risk Assessment, Case Formulation, and Forensic Neuroscience
Case Formulation and Offending Behaviour
Presenting Problem
Predisposing Factors
Neurobiological Influences
Developmental Influences
Offence Behaviour-Related Theory
Risk Assessment
Perpetuating Factors
Neurobiological Considerations
The Perception and Memory System
The Motivation/Emotional System
The Action Selection and Control System
Precipitating Factors
Protective/Strength-Based Factors
Measuring Protective Factors
Intervention
Good Lives Model
Conclusions
References
Part III: Treatment of People Exhibiting Deviant Sexual Interests and/or Behaviours
9: Future Directions in the Treatment of Sexual Self-Regulation Problems in People Who Have Sexually Offended
Definitions
Non-Forensic Sexology
Treatment Effectiveness
Behavioural Approaches
Medication
A Legitimate Treatment Target
Sexual Health
Harm Reduction
Moral Issues
Conclusions
References
10: Applying RNR Principles to Effectively Treat People Who Have Committed a Sexual Offence
A Brief History and an Overview
Adopting RNR: Survey and Rationale
Challenges in Implementation
General Concerns Adopting Evidence-Based Practices
Translating RNR into Practical Decisions
Obstacles to Implementation
Sustainable RNR
Moving Forward
Start Adopting One Practice
Facilitate Buy-In
Increase Training Accessibility
Use Tools that Commensurate with Practice
Widen Your Network
Conclusion
References
11: Prison Climate and Rehabilitating Men with Sexual Convictions
Prison and Intervention
Defining Climate
Empirical Evidence for Accounting for Prison Climate in Programme Design
What’s Important for Rehabilitative Climate
Prisoner–Staff Relationships
Active Citizenship and Promoting Peer Support
Implementing Rehabilitative Environments
Future Directions: Recognising Trauma
Concluding Thoughts
References
12: They Need Somebody, and Not Just Anybody: Help-Seeking Behaviour in Minor-Attracted Persons
Defining Minor Attraction
Conceptualizing Help-Seeking Behaviour
Help-Seeking in MAP
What Are the Reasons for Help-Seeking in MAP?
What Keeps MAP from Seeking Help?
From Whom to Seek Help?
What Help Is Helpful?
Broadening Theoretical Perspectives on Help-Seeking Behaviour
Is Practice Ready to Work with MAP?
To Conclude
References
13: How to Thrive as a Provider of Treatment to Those Convicted of Sex Offences
A Brief Description of the Literature
The Model of Dynamic Adaptation
Interventions
Primary Interventions
Secondary Interventions
Tertiary Interventions
Conclusions
References
Part IV: Community Engagement and Integration of People Exhibiting Deviant Sexual Interests and/or Behaviours
14: Expanding Interventions to Integrate Men Who Have Sexually Offended Back into the Community: Circles of Support and Accountability in Europe
What Are Circles of Support and Accountability?
The Evidence Base for Circles of Support and Accountability
The Main Challenges Faced by Providers of Circles of Support and Accountability
Is there a Gap Between Theory and Practice in Circles of Support and Accountability?
How Circles of Support and Accountability Should Move Forward in Future
Theory and Policy Adaption
Practice Adaption
A European Vision for Circles of Support and Accountability
Conclusion
References
15: Desistance Narratives in Men Who Have Committed Sexual Offences
Current State of Affairs
Theory
Research
Treatment and Supervision
Policy
What is Needed and Why?
Theory
Research
Treatment and Supervision
Policy
Conclusion
References
16: Moving Forward in Offender-Oriented Prevention: The Stop It Now! Prevention Project from an International Perspective
The Prevention of CSA in a Conceptual Framework
CSA as a Public Health Problem
Towards a Comprehensive Framework for the Prevention of CSA
Offender-Oriented Prevention in Action: Stop it Now!
Stop it Now! from an International Perspective
United States
United Kingdom and Ireland
The Netherlands
Flanders, Belgium
A Stop it Now! Case Study
Common Challenges: Moving Forward with Offender-Oriented Prevention
Discussion: Stop it Now! in the Framework of CSA
Conclusion
References
Part V: Future Directions for the Field of Sexual Abuse
17: The Relevance of Professional Organisations in the Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Violence
Professional Organisations on Sexual Violence: Three Examples
National Organisation for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse (NOTA; the UK and the Republic of Ireland)
Dutch (Speaking) Affiliate Organisation of ATSA (NL-ATSA, the Netherlands and Belgium)
National Coordination of Treatment and Research about Sexual Offending—Italian Experiences
Relevance and Challenges of Professional Organisations on Sexual Violence
To Conclude
References
18: Translating the Sexual Abuse Evidence Base into Effective Policy and Practice
Overview of Evidence-based Practice in the Field of Sexual Abuse
The Policy Development Process
Policy Development in Respect to Sexual Offending: Thinking Slow vs Thinking Fast
Developing a New Way of Policymaking, “Thinking Fast and Slow”?
When Fast Meets Slow, New Emerging Areas of Policy
Current Policy Development in Europe
Conclusion
References
Index
