Rehabilitating offenders
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Treatment programs for offenders
Child sexual abuse, sexual assault of adults and of peer aged victims is a crime, and in many instances, abusers and sexual offenders are tried and convicted. Some receive jail sentences. It is unclear whether jail alone is helpful in stopping the offender from re-offending.
There are a number of differing views regarding the best response to men who sexually abuse children. Research suggests that between roughly 30 and 65% of incarcerated offenders will not re-offend if provided with a comprehensive treatment program. Most professionals working with offenders in treatment programs agree that treatment needs to be a long term proposition, lasting between one and three years, and incorporating between 80 to 160 hours of intensive treatment therapy.
Whilst a number of theories suggest different approaches in response to sexual offenders, most researchers would conclude that if treatment begins in late childhood or early adolescence it has a greater chance of success. To this end, in conjunction with Children's Protection Society, SECASA initiated the Southern Sexual Abuse Counselling and Prevention Program (SSACPP).
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Copyright Updated: 8 Oct 2003
The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.