Family Service Society, Inc. - Sexually Abusive Youth

This treatment recognizes and agrees with the National Task Force on Juvenile Sex Offending, that sexual abuse is any sexual behavior that occurs:

The National Task Force on Juvenile Sex Offending was established in 1986 and published its final findings in 1993. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) (2001) summarized these findings and are the basis of treating adolescents with sexually abusive behaviors at Family Service Society, Inc.

Following a full assessment of the youth’s risk factors and needs, individualized and developmentally sensitive interventions are required. Individualized treatment plans are designed, reassessed, and revised periodically. They specify treatment needs, treatment objectives, and required interventions. Treatment is provided in the least restrictive environment necessary for community protection. Treatment efforts also should involve the least intrusive methods that can be expected to accomplish the treatment objectives. Written progress reports are issued to the agency that has mandated treatment and discussed with the youth and parents (caregiver). Progress must be based on specific measurable objectives, observable changes, and demonstrated ability to apply changes in current situations.

Hunter (1998) additionally lists essential components for the treatment process which are a major focus of treatment at Family Service Society, Inc. These include:

    -establishing positive self-esteem and pride in one’s cultural heritage
    -teaching and clarifying values related to respect for self and others, and a commitment to stop interpersonal violence
    -providing sex education to give an understanding of healthy sexual behavior and to correct distorted beliefs about appropriate sexual             behavior
    -teaching the impulse control and coping skills needed to successfully manage sexual and aggressive impulses
    -teaching assertiveness skills and conflict resolution skills to manage anger and resolve interpersonal dispute
    -programming designed to enhance victim empathy and promote a greater appreciation for the negative impact of sexual abuse on                     victims and their families
    -provisions for relapse prevention to include teaching abusive adolescents the cycle of thoughts, feelings, and events and how they                 can trigger sexual acting out, identify environmental circumstances and thinking patterns that should be avoided to decrease the risk         of reoffending, and identify and practice coping skills and self-control skills necessary for successful management.

Worling and Curwen (2000) evaluated the success of a specialized treatment program by examining recidivism rates among sexually abusive youth following treatment, any time from two years post completion of treatment to ten years. The report states that within the context of their study specialized treatment for sexually abusive adolescents may be helpful in reducing recidivism rates. Compared to the control group there was a 72% reduction in sexual offending behaviors for adolescents who completed at least twelve months of treatment. Thus, this study suggests that a comprehensive treatment program which combines a strong family relationship component with specific interventions may be the most successful method for reducing recidivism in sexually abusive adolescents.

Research suggests, assessing juvenile sex offenders is a difficult task. This has been difficult in the adult world and becomes even more confusing in the adolescent world. Assessing adolescent sex offender’s abusive behaviors have been addressed by many. Currently there are no assessment instruments that have the actuarial support, but two of the instruments widely used are the Juvenile Sex Offender Adolescent Protocol II (J-SOAP II) developed by Prentky and Rightland (2000). This tool is being widely used. The J-SOAP II identifies the following domains for risk assessment:

Also used is the Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Recidivism Rate (ERASOR). This instrument was developed by Worling of the SAFE-T Program at the Thistletown Regional Centre in Canada. This instrument yields a designation of high, moderate, or low risk. Higher risk offenders are targeted for the most intensive treatment while the lower risk the least intensive. Even though we have these assessment instruments, it is imperative that we continue to use clinical judgment to balance the instruments. The ERASOR evaluates the twenty-five (25) elements of the adolescent.

Based upon the literature reviews, training, clinical experience and modeling from other treatment programs throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom we believe the treatment plan outlined in this project provides the necessary tools to implement change in sexually abusive adolescents. It is possible to achieve these goals with the resources already eavailable within this community. Thus, community safety is continually being increased.

This supports the philosophy of our agency and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) that it is important not to label them “sex offenders.” They are just beginning to learn to make decisions in developing into their adult identify and if labeled it could be extremely detrimental to their future. Chaffin and Bonner (1998) reminded treatment providers in their editorial ‘Don’t Shoot, We’re Your Children: Have We Gone Too Far in Our Response to Adolescent Sexual Abusers and Children With Sexual Behavior Problems?” These adolescents are still “a work in progress” and we have an opportunity to shape their future and provide safer communities in the process.