Can sexual offenders be treated?

Abstract

There are many misconceptions about sexual offender treatment. This is not only a problem in the lay press and media but is also a problem amongst mental health professionals. In part, this relates to the inadequate teaching about sexual deviation in medical schools and psychiatric residency programs and even in forensic psychiatric fellowships. Other disciplines, such as psychology, have educated mental health professionals in a more balanced way related to the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders but still the understanding, knowledge and acceptance that sexual offender treatment is available, is evidence-based, and is successful as shown in treatment outcome studies is still misunderstood. This review covers the evidence-based studies that support the efficacy of sexual offender treatment.