Group treatment for men at risk of sex offences

It is known from research into sexual abuse in learning disabilities that a substantial number of perpetrators of sexual abuse in learning disability services are themselves service users. These perpetrators are: usually men; often men with other challenging behaviours; and often men with only mild learning disabilities. Nevertheless, men with learning disabilities who have committed sexual offences or who are at risk of sexual offending may not be offered treatment for their sexual behaviour. Indeed,services frequently struggle even to provide the basic risk assessment and risk management necessary in such circumstances. In the present paper, a new project offering group treatment for men with learning disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour is described. The project is delivered by psychologists, social workers and a probation officer in a community team setting. The first treatment group began in June 1998 and finished in April 1999. The second treatment group starts in July 2000. Pre-group assessments are described and the process of the group is outlined. Anonymous case studies are used to illustrate some of the issues in the group. The outcome of treatmentfor the first group and service user views of the group are discussed, along with some of the difficulties of evaluating outcome and the lessons learnt for future groups,