NCJ Number
177706
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 240-256
Date Published
1999
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the current situation regarding the management and treatment of sex offenders in Great Britain and describes the work of the National Association for the Development of Work With Sex Offenders (NOTA), a professional association for those involved in working with sex offenders.
Abstract
Work with sex offenders in Great Britain is undertaken by three main government agencies: the probation service, the health service, and social services. The probation service offers cognitive-behavioral treatment programs to small groups of sex offenders in short periods of time and encourages the development of specific policies on sex offenders. With regard to the health service, sex offenders are dealt with by psychiatric services when they are deemed to be mentally disordered. They are generally dealt with by forensic psychiatric services that are divided into regional secure units and special hospitals. The involvement of social services with sex offenders is in relation to known or alleged sex offenders, both adult and juvenile, who are in contact with children. Social service agencies have a statutory duty to investigate the risk of abuse to children. The treatment of sex offenders in prison and services for juvenile sex offenders are discussed. The role of NOTA in sex offender treatment is examined, and research on sex offenders is reviewed. The authors conclude organizational policies and services need to be developed for sex offenders, especially to deal with juvenile and female sex offenders. 25 references and 1 note