NCJ Number
243094
Date Published
2011
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This chapter suggests ways to assess and treat sex offenders for each of the components of empathy, so as to increase their sensitivity to and concern for the harms done to victims of sexual offenses.
Abstract
The three components of empathy toward victims are a "caring or benign relationship with the victim," an accurate perspective on the harms done to victims, and the ability to cope constructively with the suffering of others. The chapter advises that each of these areas should be separately assessed for sex offenders, and distinctive interventions for each are necessary. Offender-victim relationships are distinguished by those that are caring (e.g., parent-child, friends), adversarial, and detached/indifferent (e.g., complete strangers). In assessing empathy deficits, the chapter advises that whatever methods are used, it is important to identify and address relationship problems before attempting to treat the other components of empathy. The discussion of "perspective-taking ability" pertains to the cognitive understanding of another person's thoughts and feelings. The various sub-component skills are identified and discussed. Assessment and training for perspective-taking are addressed. Another major section of the chapter considers "Coping with the Distress of Others." This section develops the argument that awareness of victim suffering leads to prosocial goals only when offenders have at least a minimally positive relationship with the victim and the capacity to cope effectively with their own guilt. A discussion of the assessment for sympathy toward victims advises that this is best accomplished by using a combination of self-reporting and direct observation of reactions in group and institutional settings, as well as by examining offenders' reactions to victims' accounts. A discussion of sympathy training advises that it should begin by addressing the other three components of empathy. 53 references