Sex offender treatment programmes inconsistent, finds study

RESEARCH into treatment programmes for sex offenders has found services here are inconsistent and in some cases, entirely inappropriate.

The findings, published by NOTA (National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers) Ireland, concluded that there are significant gaps in information sharing between service providers and state agencies.

The research by forensic psychotherapists also highlights shortcomings in infrastructures within and between agencies, and found that some adult risk assessment tools are being used invalidly with adolescents.

The findings are likely to lead to calls for greater resourcing of treatment for sex offenders. Campaigners stress that recommendations arising out of the Ferns Report are still not fully implemented.

The lack of awareness of some service providers of other services raised concerns, with 36% stating they were “somewhat aware” — a figure described as “worrying”.

Prison and probation emerge as the services with whom agencies are least likely to have formal protocols in place.

The research is based on the details of 354 individuals, as well as health professionals, who were interviewed or answered questionnaires.

Services reported that of those assessed or treated for sexual offences, 77% had abused children, 16% abused adults and 7% had abused both children and adults.

The small amount of time — less than 10% — spent working with the families of those who have exhibited sexually harmful behaviour was of significant concern to many interviewees as well as a relative lack of child and family committees.

Social workers and psychiatric and probation services were more likely to refer clients with harmful sexual behaviour although the Church is the most frequent referrer of offenders who abuse both children and adults. Offenders with intellectual disabilities showed up as a significantly high client group.

Fiona Neary, Rape Crisis Network Ireland director, said: “Current failures in the assessment and management of sex offenders are resulting in a serious risk to children, as sex offenders who pose a major risk to children continue to be inadequately assessed and managed. We are shocked that the HSE has not already addressed such a dangerous situation as we understand researcher Alan Corbett’s findings were made available at a May conference which the Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, opened, and the budgetary requirements are far from excessive.”

lThe report will be launched today by Children’s Minister Barry Andrews and can be viewed at www.nota.co.uk.