Treating paedophiles in community reduces sexual reoffending: study
( 2003-11-03 10:08) (CRI.com)
Treating paedophiles in the
community significantly reduces sexual reoffending, a study shows.
This
is a key finding from a Corrections Department follow-up of community-based sex
offender treatment programs run by the Safe Program in Auckland, Wellington Stop
in the capital and the Stop Trust in Christchurch.
The study, released here Monday, was conducted by Dr. Ian Lambie of the
Auckland University Psychology department. It followed up 175 adult male sex
offenders who had received community treatment.
Offenders who completed the treatment programs had a recidivism rate of 5
percent. In two control groups that did not receive treatment, the rates were 21
percent and 25 percent, respectively, Wellington Stop Manager Hamish Dixon said.
Dr. Lambie, a specialist in forensic psychology, said the results for
community-based programs were as good as those obtained for prison-based
treatment.
Though the four years of the study was a relatively short period to follow up
offenders, other studies had shown that the greatest rates of reoffending
occurred between two and four years after treatment.
The results showed the programs were effective and had a positive effect on
the community, Dr. Lambie said. "When further sexual offending is reduced to
this extent there are huge social and financial benefits to our communities, as
there are fewer victims of sexual abuse in the future," he said.
With specialist help, most adult sex offenders could be rehabilitated and
integrated into the community.
The programs are funded by several organizations, including the Corrections
Department, Child, Youth and Family Services and community funding
grants.
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