Prescott, D.S. (2001). Collaborative Treatment for
Sexual Behavior Problems in an Adolescent Residential Center. In
M. Miner & Eli Coleman, (Eds). Sex offender treatment: Accomplishments,
challenges, and future directions (pp. 43-58). Binghamton, NY:
Haworth Press.
SUMMARY. Many residential treatment
and sex offender programs for adolescents historically have used
coercion-based interventions. Treatment programs employing coercive
techniques often replicate the same destructive and intrusive
behaviors they seek to eliminate. Tension between departments
coupled with poor communication and discomfort around sexual
behavior issues within the staff of residential treatment centers
are more likely to inhibit the progress of the youths they serve.
Collaboration among residential, educational,
and clinical components enables staff to
work in a direct, genuine, and respectful
fashion with students
who have histories of sexually abusive behavior. It further assists in maintaining
a safe and predictable environment for these students. Finally, it helps
students eliminate destructive behaviors by directly and consistently addressing
four key areas: sexually abusive behavior, antisocial attitudes, social/emotional
functioning, and overall self-care. It is not the author’s intention
to hold Bennington School, Inc. up as a model residential treatment program
or to criticize other residential facilities. Rather, it is hoped that what
is working in Bennington may be helpful to others.
Many who have worked on the front lines
of residential treatment with sexually
abusive adolescents have received training
in elements specific to sexually
abusive behavior. The origins of treatment for youth who have sexually abused
were noteworthy for their lack of offense-specific interventions (National
Adolescent Perpetration Network, 1993). However, a wealth of literature soon
emerged addressing the need for assessment and treatment techniques specific
to this population (Perry & Orchard, 1992; Barbaree, Marshall, & Hudson,
1993). Much of this literature made assumptions regarding high levels of
chronicity (Perry & Orchard, 1992) while other contributions stressed
the role of denial and minimization (Barbaree & Cortoni, 1993). As a
result, while many issue-specific forms of assessment and treatment were
developed, they often did not take into account other developmental needs
and issues in the lives of sexually abusive youths (Lane,1997).
Concurrent with this emerging research was a substantial increase in the
number of treatment programs for juvenile sex offenders (National Adolescent
Perpetration Network, 1993). In this context, it is not surprising that many
treatment programs relied heavily on treatment targeting denial, minimization,
and perceived sexual deviance without taking into account other treatment
needs of youths. Although a recent literature review of adolescent residential
programs (Curwen, 2000) notes a trend away from shame-based approaches, there
appears to be less clarity on specific criteria on which to base residential
treatment of adolescents who have sexually abused (Curwen, 2000).
Finally, recent research shows that among
adult populations, accepting responsibility
for abusive behavior in treatment is more likely to result from a warm, genuine,
and empathic treatment style (Marshall, Fernandez, & Anderson, 1999).
Group therapy participation, similarly, results from encouragement, open
questions, and nonconfrontational challenge. The emerging themes of recent
trends and research should inspire those at the front lines of residential
treatment to reconsider not just basic treatment approaches, but the most
minute elements of their interactions with youths. [Full article available
for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail: docdelivery@haworthpress.com – Website: HaworthPress.
com © 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]