Group processes in the treatment of child sex offenders

Abstract

Increasing numbers of treatment groups for sex offenders are now being run in different settings across the country. The majority of these are cognitive-behavioural in orientation, and there has been little reported in the literature about the complex processes and dynamics that occur in these groups. This paper uses Yalom's (1985) stages of group development as a framework with which to examine the processes occurring in two treatment groups for child sex offenders run in a local prison. Specific issues relating to the nature of the group membership and the setting of the group are also discussed.

Key Words:

• sex offenders
• sex offender treatment
• group processes