Yolanda M. Fernandez

Empathy in sex offenders

Abstract Sex offenders are thought to suffer from deficits in their capacity to experience empathy, and this is considered to be important in the development, and particularly the maintenance, of their deviant behaviour. The concept of empathy, however, is confused. A multicomponent staged model of empathy is outlined, and it is suggested that empathy deficits may be more person-specific than has previously been thought. The evidence concerning empathy deficits in sex offenders is considered, and it is concluded that our multicomponent model offers a better way to understand and treat the empathy deficits in these men.

Sourcebook of treatment programs for sexual offenders

Adult Male Offenders: Prison Settings: The Twin Rivers Sex Offender Treatment Program A. Gordon, G. Hover. Kia Marama: A Treatment Program for Child Molesters in New Zealand S.M. Hudson. Community Settings: The Faithful Foundation Residential Program for Sexual Offenders H. Eldridge, R. Wyre. Community-Based Treatment with Sexual Offenders A. Eccles, W. Walker. Psychiatric Settings: Working with Sexual Offenders in Psychiatric Settings in England and Wales D. Fisher. The Treatment of Sexually Aggressive Offenders in the Dr. Henri van der Hoeven Kliniek: A Forensic Psychiatric Institute in The Netherlands D. van Beek, J. Mulder. Diverse Populations: An 11-Year Perspective of Working with Female Offenders J.K. Matthews. Adult Intellectually Disabled Sexual Offenders: Program Considerations E. Coleman, J. Haaven. Ethnic Populations: Te Piriti: A Bicultural Model for Treating Child Molesters in Aotearoa/New Zealand J. Larsen, et al. Blending the Traditional with the Contemporary in the Treatment of Aboriginal Sexual Offenders: A Canadian Experience L. Ellerby, J. Stonechild. Conclusions and Future Directions W.l. Marshall, et al. 21 Additional Chapters. Index.

Phallometric testing with sexual offenders: limits to its value.

In many settings phallometric evaluations of sexual arousal are routinely conducted with sexual offenders and these evaluation procedures also serve as research instruments. There are, however, problems with the psychometric bases of these assessments, and studies reporting their use have so many idiosyncratic features that comparisons are of dubious value. Evidence concerning the reliability and criterion validity of phallometric testing leaves a lot to be desired, although the research has suggested an important but limited value in predicting subsequent recidivism. Suggestions are made for further research and for the clinical use of phallometric assessments within more comprehensive evaluations of sexual offenders.

Process variables in the treatment of sexual offenders: A review of the relevant literature

The present review considers the relevance of process issues for the treatment of sexual offenders. The general literature on psychotherapy indicates that the therapists style, the clients perceptions of the therapist, and the alliance between client and therapist, all influence treatment effectiveness. From our review of this literature, and the far less voluminous research on these issues by cognitive behavior therapists, we draw implications for enhancing the effectiveness of treatment of sexual offenders. We also make suggestions for research on process variables in the treatment of these offenders.

Victim Empathy, Social Self-Esteem, and Psychopathy in Rapists:

The purpose of the present study was to compare the responses of 27 incarcerated rapists and 2 7 incarcerated nonsexual offenders using the Rapist Empathy Measure (targeting victim specific empathy deficits) and to examine the relationship between empathy with self-esteem and psychopathy for both groups. The Social Self-Esteem Inventory was used as a measure of perceived social competence and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991 ) was used as a measure ofpsychopathy. All participants completed the two self report questionnaires on empathy and self-esteem; in addition, the rapists were required to complete an extra section of the empathy measure that assessed their empathic responses to their own victims. Demographic information and psychopathy scores were obtained by reviewing institutionalfiles. When psychopathy scores were not available, subjects participated in a semi-structured interview and were scored on the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised by the researcher Rapists demonstrated more empathy than the nonsexual offenders toward women in general and the same degree of empathy as the nonsexual offenders toward a woman who had been a victim of a sexual assault by another male. Of particular importance were the within-group comparisons across victim type for the rapists which revealed significant empathy deficits toward their own victim( s). Interestingly, no differences were found between the rapists and nonsexual offenders in terms of self-esteem and psychopathy, and neither self-esteem nor psychopathy significantly predicted empathy for either group. It was concluded from the present study that rapists may suppress empathy primarily toward their own victim rather than suffer from a generalized empathy deficit. It is suggested that empathy deficits in rapists might better be construed as cognitive distortions specific to their victims and should be addressed in that manner in treatment.

Therapist characteristics in the treatment of sexual offenders: Tentative data on their relationship with indices of behaviour change

The present study examined the relationship between reliably identified therapist characteristics and treatment-induced changes in sexual offender treatment programmes in English prisons. The results indicated that 10 therapist features predicted beneficial changes in coping skills, perspective-taking, and relationship difficulties. A confrontational style, on the other hand, was negatively related to increased competence in coping. The results are discussed in terms of their research and clinical implications.

Working Positively With Sexual Offenders Maximizing the Effectiveness of Treatment

In this article, the authors draw on literatures outside sexual offending and make suggestions for working more positively and constructively with these offenders. Although the management of risk is a necessary feature of treatment, it needs to occur in conjunction with a strength-based approach. An exclusive focus on risk can lead to overly confrontational therapeutic encounters, a lack of rapport between offenders and clinicians, and fragmented and mechanistic treatment delivery. The authors suggest that the goals of sexual offender treatment should be the attainment of good lives, which is achieved by enhancing hope, increasing self-esteem, developing approach goals, and working collaboratively with the offenders. Examples are provided of how these targets may be met. When this is done within a therapeutic context where the treatment providers display empathy and warmth and are rewarding and directive, the authors suggest that treatment effects will be maximized.

Empathy Deficits and Cognitive Distortions in Child Molesters

An attempt was made to examine the thesis that the apparent empathy deficits in child molesters are simply another aspect of their self-serving tendency to distort information by, in this case, failing to recognize victim harm. Thirty-four child molesters were compared on a victim empathy measure and a measure of cognitive distortions, with 24 nonsex offenders and 28 nonoffending males. Child molesters displayed greater cognitive distortions than the other subjects and their greatest empathy deficits were toward their own victims. Consistent with the theory being examined it was found that the empathy scores of the child molesters toward their own victims were significantly correlated with the responses to the cognitive distortions scale. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and practice.

Some aspects of social competence in sexual offenders

Outpatient rapists and child molesters were compared with a socioeconomically similar group of nonoffenders and with a group of university students on various measures of social functioning and in terms of their judgments about actors displaying under-, over-, and appropriately assertive behavior. The child molesters did not differ from the matched community group, with both groups reporting social anxiety, underassertiveness, and low self-esteem These two groups also judged the unassertive actor to be the most appropriate of the three actors. The rapists thought the overassertive actor was the most appropriate and they also appeared more confident, more assertive, and less anxious than the child molesters. The university students were more socially appropriate, more confident, and less anxious than the other groups, and they made judgments about the actors that were consistent with prosocial expectations. Evidently the model of social functioning that these sexual offenders accepted differed from prosocial expectations, and this, as well as their actual functioning, needs to be addressed in research and treatment.

Treatment of sexual offenders who are in categorical denial: a pilot project.

This paper describes an approach to treatment for sexual offenders who are in categorical denial. Other efforts to have them, at least partially, admit responsibility had failed and they were to be released from prison without any treatment. Evidence that suggests denial is not predictive of risk and that treatment may reduce the risk of these offenders is reviewed. Essentially, this paper offers a possible approach to dealing with these intractable deniers which, it is suggested, is better than not trying to modify their risk, and that may prove to be effective.