tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40372835117916248812024-03-16T14:52:50.775-04:00Sexual AbuseATSA's Sexual Abuse is a blog dedicated to research-based examinations of research, treatment, policy, and practice regarding sexual abuse and sexual abuse prevention. SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.comBlogger525125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-20154800814249163862024-03-15T09:32:00.005-04:002024-03-15T09:32:39.293-04:00The intersection of online and offline behaviours in sexual abuse: reframing approaches<p> <span style="text-align: center;">By <b>Kieran McCartan,
PhD </b>& <b>Sophie King-Hill, PhD</b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Over recent years there has been a rise in conversations
about sexual abuse in the online environment. These conversations encompass a
wide range of online behaviours such as catfishing and its impacts, sexual and
relationship education in UK schools, the production of Child Sexual
Exploitation material internationally, as well as the nature of pornography on
legal sites (i.e., Pornhub). The main premise that all these conversations have
in common is how the relationship between sexual abuse and exploitation is
understood in the online and the offline world.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are different components to consider when addressing
the issue of online sexual abuse. These include education, safeguarding/child
protection, law enforcement, and the responsibilities of online companies.
These all need consideration when attempting to understand and change social
norms in relation to the online world. Many of the solutions that are offered are
rooted in established models and ways of thinking because they are familiar to
us does, however due to the differing complexities of the online world they may
not be fit for purpose. One of the first steps in this process is to recognise
the differences between online and offline sexual abuse.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Research has been ongoing into the online world for the past
30 years, with knowledge and practice moving on significantly. Due to this
there is a relatively good understanding of the practices that occur online,
who partakes in them, the reasons why they engage in these activities, and how
we can prevent reoffending. The understanding of the relationship with
technology and the online world has evolved and it is not simple. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The online and offline worlds are becoming increasingly
intertwined in our daily lives and identities. In relation to young people, the
boundaries between these two worlds are not present and are seamless. Therefore,
it is important that professionals recognise how identities are evolving on and
offline. There needs to be a shift in the understanding of behaviour and action
and how we think about this issue needs to shift. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Aptos; mso-hansi-font-family: Aptos;">Online sexual behaviours need reframing to recognize that
our current ideas about the online world and how to approach the issues that it
presents are not fit for purpose. </span>The relationship between the online
and offline worlds needs to be redefined in respect to sexual abuse. Consideration
needs to be given to how conversations are framed in society and how change
policy and practice can influence this. Realistic education and awareness
programmes are needed that put this debate at their heart, that don’t see
talking about the online environment as a bolt on or afterthought and that
actively involve the users. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is therefore important to recognise that our perspectives
of this are rooted in our experiences and knowledge of the offline world and these
need to adapt and evolve to fully tackle the issue of online sexual abuse and
harmful sexual behaviours. <o:p></o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-23306359909904990132024-03-04T12:25:00.004-05:002024-03-04T12:25:23.839-05:00Finding joy in our work and our lives<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">By<b> David
S. Prescott, LICSW</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Reviewing the blog posts and ATSA
communications for the membership (<i>The Wire</i>, the <i>Catalyst</i>
newsletter) of the past few weeks provides a wonderful snapshot of the work we
all do. From risk assessment to protective factors, and empirically sound
treatment, it’s all in there. As we’ve said before, the people in this field
can be real superheroes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Of course, there are topics that can be
difficult to talk about. A recent survey found many of us experiencing the
signs and symptoms of burnout despite having good overall self-care practices.
Likewise, last week’s blog, about imposter syndrome <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>generated lots of agreement (ironically,
almost all through private channels). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">None of these topics address the joy that
can be found in doing this work. It is easy to overlook and often fleeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">If I may share an example: In the mid-1990s
I worked in a residential treatment program for adolescents. I had provided
treatment to a young man who had caused significant harm to his siblings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had all been horribly abused by their
stepfather. He had been placed in another program that was shut down by the
state because of rampant sexual abuse by the staff against him and others.
Working with him was a challenge. Privately, some staff had even given him the
lighthearted nickname of “the Hurricane.” We worked to put his life back
together, address his own victimization, his actions towards his brother, and
everything one might expect. After much work, we were able to step him down to
a program much closer to his home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In the hours after he left the program and
I was preparing for more cases to come my way, my supervisor said, “Nice work,
David. You never violated the relationship.” She was right, but it would take
many hours for the full impact to set in. I had focused for so long on the
tasks of treatment and the various case-management and documentation needs,
that I had forgotten the sheer joy of the work itself. I had never considered
the joy that comes with providing a relationship centered on helping the other to
reach their full potential. And I had never considered the joy of taking one
step closer in the direction of being a better therapist, citizen, and man. It’s
fundamental to the reason any of us do this work: we want to help, and it feels
good to get it right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Why is it that we don’t discuss joy in our
work more often? Is it because it’s not always so well defined? I went to the
Merriam-Webster dictionary online, and its first definition was “the emotion
evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing
what one desires.” Personally, I wonder about some of this. What kind of
success, fortune, or possessions? Is this a materialistic sort of joy? Is there
more? Maybe our difficulty defining it contributes to our difficulty talking about
it? Maybe we don’t talk about joy because so much of it is beyond words? Maybe
it’s because we often bond with one another talking about our pains, fears, and
misfortunes? Maybe it’s because the joy we experience is often so fleeting?
(After all, the joy in the case above was time-limited by my need to open
another case the same day!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There could be many reasons why we don’t
always focus on joy as much as we could. After all, too many of us work in
joyless environments with clients who have never experienced joy. Is it too
easy for us to become numb and jobless as a part of working in close proximity
to abuse? Do we lack the skills not just to self-regulate, but to co-regulate
with others as a partial result of bearing witness to suffering? Is returning
to a place of joy a skill that we can develop? I believe it is.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I watched ATSA Past President Dr. Tyffani
Dent give a speech to some colleagues while accepting an award a few years ago.
She talked about her experiences of “Black joy,” those moments somewhere
between fulfillment and ecstasy that she and others experience simply by virtue
of being Black. Despite the horrific legacy of racism, this Black joy has never
gone away. I came away with the impression that it is indestructible, at least
from the outside. If I’ve read correctly between the lines, Tyffani actively and
intentionally maintains an awareness that joy is possible, and takes effective
action to find it, with others, in her life. Can we all do something similar?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As the reader will notice, I do not profess
to having the answers, only questions. If I may be permitted some lighthearted
humor, no one knows better than me that I will never directly experience Black
joy. But just being in its presence for those moment gave me deep hope for the
future. How can we become aware of the possibilities for joy all around us?
Probably more accurately, how can we return to our places of joy more
frequently and deeply? Despite the challenges of our jobs, the work itself
provides many opportunities for joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-19070400786284724832024-02-23T15:04:00.000-05:002024-02-23T15:04:02.395-05:00Imposter Syndrome<p>By <b>David S. Prescott, LICSW,</b> and <b>Kasia Uzieblo, PhD </b></p><p>At last year’s ATSA conference, David had the good fortune to facilitate two discussion groups for people who, due to their circumstances, don’t have many colleagues with whom they can speak openly. By far the two biggest topics that came up were working in isolation and imposter syndrome, also known more recently as “imposterism.”</p><p>During these sessions, newcomers to the field heard from us old-timers, who all agreed that we still feel it often. It all reminded me of the time — years ago — when a world-famous researcher openly discussed how even his submissions have occasionally not been accepted for the ATSA conference. While many simply acknowledged having had the same experience, many more thanked the researcher profusely, saying they were grateful to know that they were not alone; it can happen to anyone! </p><p>Have you ever had that feeling that someday you will be outed as the fraud you fear you might be? I (David) am very lucky that I was far along in my career, with nothing to prove to anyone, when a disgusted colleague approached me. My name had come up in conversation with a prominent researcher who said, “Don’t forget… He’s not Dr. Prescott, just Mr. Prescott.” My response was probably along the lines of “whatever,” but doubtless it would have hurt had I still been an early career professional. Not everyone has been so lucky. </p><p>The reason I mention all this is not because of all the research showing just how common imposterism is across professions. Nor is it to illustrate that men are just as prone to it as women and nonbinary people. It’s to emphasize something about ATSA members learned across many decades now: we have your back! We support you and want you to succeed! What you do and who you are matters. As much as we may argue over research and practice within ATSA, the work you do on a day-to-day basis is likely to help our clients and communities. </p><p>While there are legitimate questions about treating and over-treating the truly low risk, and similar questions about the structures of our laws (lifetime supervision, civil commitment, etc.) the fact remains that everyone doing this work has something to contribute to our broader goals of stopping offending, helping clients live better lives, and building community safety. </p><p>If there is anything most ATSA members learn from membership and attendance at our conferences, it’s that we all support each other and especially our newer members and students. As a part of this, it’s worth mentioning that those of us who are further along in our work lives don’t always have to project a perfect image of ourselves. Allowing ourselves to be open about our doubts and failures can also be inspiring and reassuring precisely to those who look up to them or are making their way in the field. We all have an obligation to help the next generation along.</p><p>Psychologist Jill Stoddard recently wrote a book on this topic titled, Imposter No More. In it she advocates flexible thinking skills that can help individuals find their way through the often crippling effects of imposterism. In her TED Talk and interviews, she discusses her own experiences, including how her family teased her with weight-related nicknames. She is now a highly regarded practitioner of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, often referred to simply as ACT. Every time she shares her story, making herself vulnerable along the way, she touches hearts and inspires others. Her work is worth a look. </p><p>In his recent interview with ATSA Executive Director Amber Schroeder, Karl Hanson also emphasized the importance of proceeding fearlessly with our careers while remaining open to the feedback that helps us become more effective. </p><p>In the end, the message from ATSA’s leadership and blogging team is simple. We have your back! If you’re feeling like you have no one to talk with, feel free to reach out. No one should feel alone in this work.</p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-34846511033973535132024-02-08T08:17:00.002-05:002024-02-08T08:21:18.263-05:00The challenge of balancing human rights for all<p>By <b>Kieran McCartan, PhD., & David S. Prescott, LICSW</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week’s blog post focused on an unfortunate reality: We
can’t always discuss things publicly lest we be labelled as political
partisans. Although no one is without some degree of biases and leanings, it is
simply too easy to attack and be attacked for statements taken out of context. We
recall the sad fate of someone who commented in social media that balancing the
human rights of the client and the community can be a challenge. His statement
was sent to a local politician, who went to the media and scored significant
political points saying that this doctoral level researcher and policy wonk had
a “catch-and-release policy towards predators.” (It is worth noting that many
human rights are enshrined in <a href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights">international
law</a> as well as state and agency policies; the <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/tokyorules.pdf">Tokyo
Rules</a> are one example. In the US, the death penalty has been ruled <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_v._Louisiana">unconstitutional</a>
for sex crimes, but that hasn’t stopped some states from trying.) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Working in the criminal-justice field often presents many
paradoxes and contradictions that leave professionals conflicted about their
roles, and/or their belief systems. In some cases, we have to and having to
justify our roles to others. On the one hand, compassionate treatment
approaches are the most effective. On the other hand, the practitioner may have
to work hard to to look beyond their own biases and beliefs to do so. Important
to remember is that having compassion for someone does not mean that you condone
or endorse their behavior; it means that you can see into their situation, try
to understand, and prioritize their highest needs (which means developing a
lifestyle free of harming others). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over the years, this blog’s authors have written about the
early-life adversity that has influenced our clients and the need for trauma
informed practice in order to ensure the most effective participation in
treatment. What we often talk about less is human rights, although <a href="https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1348/135532508X284301">many
have done so</a>. It’s easy to respect the human rights of law-abiding people,
but more difficult top do that for people who have hurt and harmed others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In recent weeks there have been many cases across Europe
that have called for us to have respect for others, to call in question our
moral lens and to advocate for human rights in difficult cases. We have seen a
call for <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1lxqgn1wwo">care homes</a>
to be built for aging individuals convicted of sexual crimes, an individual
being <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68080872">tried
and convicted of manslaughter on the grounds for diminished responsibility</a>
for the murder of three people last year in the UK, and the change in incarceration
conditions for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/josef-fritzl-to-be-moved-regular-prison-from-psychiatric-unit-lawyer">Josef
Fritz</a> as a result of his dementia diagnosis. These cases beg the question
of how we best treat those whose who have committed horrific crimes when their
capacity to understand their punishment is gone. Where are our human rights
thresholds?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not surprisingly, many have found it difficult to tread a
line between compassion and punishment, especially when the system is built on
the grounds of punishment. Public, as well as political, sentiment often reflects
that. However, its important to remember that many professionals are in the field
of rehabilitation, even as we work in environments that stem from punishment. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rehabilitation, treatment, and support cannot be seen as an
afterthought or an add-on to punishment. We all want people to come out of the
criminal justice system better able to manage themselves in society than when
they went in, or at least no worse. We have seen the damaging legacy of doing
nothing through the <a href="https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/research/the-effectiveness-of-correctional-treatment/historical-background">failed
“nothing works”</a> doctrine of the 70’s and 80’s started by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Martinson">Robert Martinson</a>, and
that became a hallmark of the Reagan-Bush and Thatcher eras. We know though
research and practice that treatment works, but that it can take effort and
that it works in different ways, at different times, for different people. This
can make it complex and not easy to rationalize or fund when one can’t entirely
predict the outcomes. Although it can seem like we are in a revised nothing-works
era currently, that is not true with the influence of public health and
prevention policies in criminal justice. We are still talking about treatment
and rehabilitation; but it’s challenging for professionals at times to engage
in these conversations and find support.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need to be compassionate in our work and think about the
human rights of often risky and at-times dangerous people. How can we hope for
them to reduce their risk and to integrate back into society if they can’t learn
about pro-social, empathic, and good behavior from us? How can we best accept
our clients even as we don’t accept their behaviors? How do we process our work
with others? How do we explain it? Where do we seek help? And, more importantly,
do we get help when we ask? It is important to provide a rationale, critically discuss,
and support each other in the challenging times we are experiencing. Supporting
people who have seriously offended and are dangerous is as much a collective
endeavour as an individual one.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-64712894840263031192024-02-02T06:57:00.000-05:002024-02-02T06:57:10.871-05:00We’re Losing Ground Again<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">By <b>David S. Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">I’ve long felt sympathy for our
colleagues working in the area of family and interpersonal violence. These issues
are </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvs03.pdf"><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">widespread</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> but receive little attention. It is
well known that violence against women has only gotten worse in recent years,
and yet many governments have considered </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/09/01/why-are-governments-weakening-protections-against-domestic-violence-pub-82632"><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">abandoning</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> the Council of Europe Convention on
Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, known as
the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Convention"><i><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Istanbul Convention</span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">. Too often, the reasons have been
political, with governments claiming that while they are against family
violence, they want to preserve traditional family values. Observers are quick
to note the political aspects of these decisions; one media outlet noted
Turkey’s objection to “</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://theowp.org/reports/threats-to-family-values-turkey-withdraws-from-istanbul-convention/"><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">promoting LGBTQIA identities</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">” (although the treaty’s only reference
to sexual orientation merely stipulates non-discrimination).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Of course, it’s not just governments
that have difficulty finding ways to prioritize ending family violence. One
might reasonably ask how we can end violence when so much of our media and
political discourse contain violence and violent themes? Recent media coverage
of ideologically based death threats suggests that matters are only getting
worse. In my former state of Maine, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
coordinator recently </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/when-a-white-supremacist-threatened-an-iraqi-dei-coordinator-in-maine-he-fled-the-state/ar-BB1hrJIQ"><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">fled the state</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> in response to threats made against
his life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">A central concern of this blog post is
that at a time when too many people view violence as normal and sometimes
desirable, those seeking to reduce its harm are too often lost in the mix.
Whatever the data may show in one legal jurisdiction or another, we are all up
against a cultural maelstrom in which violence and threats of violence have
somehow become more acceptable.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">What’s not acceptable is that our
attempts to stop violence have become wrapped up in politics. Further, most
people in our field understandably don’t want to talk about politics. As
recently as a few days ago, a listserv for psychotherapists was taken offline
for a period of time because of arguments over the current situation in the
Middle East. It seems that even when we are open to talking about politics,
we’re not particularly good at it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">ATSA has always championed ending
sexual abuse. Unfortunately, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at the individual
member level, too many potential discussions are off-limits because they are so
hard to talk about. Wouldn’t it be great if professionals could talk about the
relevant issues without political impediments?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">All of this seems relevant at a time
when a former US President has recently been found liable by a jury for
sexually assaulting a woman. Another jury awarded her more money than most of
us can realistically imagine. Lest readers think that mentioning this reflects
a political agenda, it is vital to remember that there have been </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_sexual_assault_and_misconduct_allegations"><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">plenty of allegations</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> across the political aisle, including
in the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/these-are-the-sexual-assault-allegations-against-bill-clinton-2017-11"><span style="color: #dca10d; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1990s</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">. Indeed, questions of </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/how-many-presidents-have-been-accused-sexual-assault-692766"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">sexual abuse in national politics</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> is nothing new.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It makes sense that discussing the
actions of our leaders is difficult at best. Nonetheless, some important points
emerge</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -18pt;">- Sexual abuse and other forms of violence exist at all
levels of society.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 17.3333px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Current public debates make even acknowledging this fact
challenging.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -18pt;">- Many of our policymakers have engaged in the same
behaviors they seek to regulate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -18pt;">- Given all of these things, we are compelled once again to
look at sexual abuse through a public-health lens.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 17.3333px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -18pt;">It would be unconscionable for us, and society, to soften
our stance on ending violence simply because there is so much of it on the
world stage. In truth, the mission has only become more critical.</span></p><br /><p></p><p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-44026120207060459482024-01-26T08:18:00.002-05:002024-01-26T13:36:09.515-05:00What has research ever done for us?<p> By <b>Kieran McCartan, PhD, David S. Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F,
</b>&<b> Kasia Uzieblo, PhD</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week Kieran has been involved in several different
conversations about research outcomes, Key Performance Indictors (KPI) and how
we measure them. This has been equally engaging and frustrating. This week has
really enforced in Kieran the need to emphasis the role, purpose, and use of
research, which is often an afterthought or a bolt on for many organisations
and programmes. This is a shame, as research should be seen as core business
and essential to the development, roll out, and maintenance of any service or
endeavour. This blog discusses why research matters and why we should all be
concerned about doing it and getting it right.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good quality research is essential for developing an
evidence base that informs practice and policy; we all know that. We look to
organisations like ATSA and NOTA through their publications and conferences
that facilitate our access to this research and allow us to learn methods, theories,
and outcomes. But it must be stated that not all areas of sexual abuse share a
research parity or depth. Some areas may be over-researched (e.g., <i>risk
assessment, treatment, work with adolescent and adult males</i>) and other
areas having less (e.g., <i>prevention of sexual abuse, women who sexually
offend, Siblings/intrafamilial</i>). This changes by country and region (e.g., <i>outside
of north America sex offender registries are barely researched</i>). To borrow
a phrase, “All research is equal, but some research is more equal than others”!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In universities, many researchers are adapting their methods
towards being more impactful and being more grounded in practice, professional
development, and policy rather than just being about publications. As a result,
more research is about being collaborative and about co-creation with
professionals, policymakers, and service users/clients. This means that research
can also help shape ongoing policy and practice, research needs to be at the
start and in the lifecycle of our professional activities, not [as is far too
often the case] bolted on at the end or neglected all together. Research needs
to be central to good practice and building an evidence base, but it’s also
central to commissioning, funding, recruitment and retention of staff,
referrals, partnership working, sustainability, and quality assurance. However,
the value of research is not always seen as these things with frontline
services not always seeing the value reading studies and wanting to focus more,
and understandability so, on their clients and practice. In worst case
scenarios research can be seen as an add-on or a costly burden, which can mean
that it’s not always well developed, well-funded, or at times well executed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore, it’s important to understand the role and purpose
of research and what it brings to practice and policy. One of the best ways to
do this is to think about research as a core business for any organisation and/or
practice. So, whether you are working in sexual abuse prevention, treatment
with men convicted of sexual offences, community risk management or policing;
what does research mean to you and your organisation? Maybe the place to start
is to think about the role that research has played in your daily practice, in
shaping what you do and how you do it. To borrow from and emulate Monty Python…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;">What has research,<br />
what has research,<br />
what has research ever done for us?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;">
<i>An practice evidence base.<br />
What?<br />
...they, they gave us a practice evidence base...</i><br />
<br />
Yes, they did give us that, that's true<br />
<i>And evidence for future funding </i>Yes, that too<br />
A practice evidence base I'll grant is one<br />
thing the research may have done<br />
<i>And the policies, now they're all new<br />
And the great theories too</i><br />
<br />
Well, apart from the theories and evidence,<br />
<i>And the risk assessment tools<br />
Public health for all the nation</i><br />
Apart from those, which are a plus,<br />
what has research ever done for us?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Along these lines, it may be helpful to think about how
research has improved our professional lives (as well as our personal lives,
such as research into health care). Research in our field has informed our
understanding of assessment and evaluation measures; how we communicate risk;
what goals to work on in treatment; how to work with different individuals; how
to understand denial; how to understand human sexuality, etc. In some corners
of social media but also in practice and policy, it has become fashionable to
disrespect science and scientists. At the end of the day, however, we would do
well to stay respectful and keep current with the advances of science; it often
advances in multiple directions (as we blogged about <a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2024/01/extending-previous-blog-post-ethical.html">last
week</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-6245722979571822642024-01-19T07:50:00.000-05:002024-01-19T07:50:03.222-05:00Extending a Previous Blog Post: Ethical Considerations on the Costs of Resources<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">By </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>David S. Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">In
our December 13, 2023 </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2023/12/ethical-considerations-of-financial.html"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">blog post</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">, Dr. Sophie King-Hill asks:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">In many harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)
services for children and young people (CYP) how resources are funded,
developed, and delivered is coming under increasing scrutiny as frontline and
third sectors organisations are having budgets cut and services reduced. Given
this context, is it ever ethical to charge for these resources? . . . At face
value the ethical principles of HSB work may appear clear-cut (i.e., work in a
trauma informed way, do no harm, protect the patient/service user) . . .
However, after scrutiny, the lines seem blurred. . . Whilst a multi-agency
approach is clearly needed for HSB, a by-product of this way of working is that
no steadfast and explicit ethical principles exist due to the range of
specialisms involved. This lack of a sense of measure, accountability and
consistent public pledge has perhaps created an environment where profitable
endeavours have gained traction and power without the rigour of adequate
ethical questioning.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">This
last sentence regarding “profitable endeavors” is particularly intriguing and
leads to questions about how we prioritize and think about resource allocation.
In her discussion, she also notes the way some services are trained and
delivered. She raises the age-old question of how best to combine
implementation and training efforts in situations where staff turnover is a
reality (this </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2015/06/implementation-integration-and.html"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">blog post from 2015</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"> explores this question
further).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Here
in the US, I’ve long wondered about how we prioritize not just our resources,
but the way we think about them. I’ve never forgotten an experience many years
ago in which I was on a grant to implement an empirically supported trauma
treatment package. The content of this treatment was clinically sound and under
most circumstances easy to implement. However, it had been developed for use
with adult women, while our agencies were tasked with implementing it with
adolescent males and females. The positive findings in studies had occurred in
outpatient treatment settings. We were tasked with implementing it in
home-based services. In some cases, the clients were very clearly not ready to
advance at the pace of the curriculum, while for others the curriculum itself
was getting in the way of more substantive conversations that the clients were
desperate to have. The curriculum had not been written specifically with the
caregivers of these young clients in mind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The
clinicians in this project found themselves in a dilemma: meeting each client’s
needs to ensure treatment engagement meant slight changes in adherence to the
manual. On the other hand, even the slightest changes were considered a problem
for treatment fidelity and needed to be approved by the outside consultant.
Further, every session was video recorded for quality assurance purposes,
making clinicians more likely to make momentary clinical decisions that
prioritized the video review over the needs of the client. All of this took
place in a context where those licensed professionals charged with
administration of the curriculum had to take their orders from an unlicensed
and sometimes irritable consultant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">There
were many ways that these dilemmas could have been resolved, and doubtless many
who are reading this post could have helped move the process forward.
Unfortunately, the constellation of players was, as a group, ill-suited to get
this implementation right. It can serve as a lesson for all of us. These were
high-stakes circumstances: some of the clients felt retraumatized after
participating in this treatment. The problem was not the content, which was
indeed evidence-based, but in the implementation processes, which were not.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Virtually
everyone wants to engage in evidence-based practice (EBP). Yet so many of us
remain unaware that there is more to EBP than the research studies telling us
that a treatment method has found to be effective. For example, the above
efforts would have benefited from a solid foundation in </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implementation_research"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">implementation science</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">, which examines the application of research. For
example, Dean Fixsen and his colleagues outlined numerous conditions under
which implementations of EBPs will be more and less effective. As encouraging
as some studies can be, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30113180/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">others</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">
have found that it can take a considerable amount of time to demonstrate
significant improvements in wellbeing at the individual-client level.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Likewise,
there is very little accumulated knowledge on adapting EBPs to meet local
conditions. In the example above, applying a treatment developed in one context
to another created problems and arguably caused harm to some clients. On one
hand, there are the understandable concerns that changes to an empirically
supported protocol reduces fidelity to the model, which in turn can potentially
reduce its effectiveness. On the other hand, the </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.apa.org/about/policy/psychological-practice-health-care.pdf"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">APA definition of EBP</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"> emphasizes how it is a tripartite model
involving the integration of best available research, clinical expertise,
client characteristics, culture, and preferences. This discrepancy leads to
questions about how those with genuine clinical expertise can effectively use
protocols that may not be the best fit for clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Dr.
King-Hall’s original questions lead to others. We might well ask about the
ethics not only of training costs and access to treatments, but of emphasizing
implementation of a particular treatment approach without considering the
evidence regarding successful implementation, or local conditions involving
clinical expertise or client characteristics and culture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-87815199584918963142024-01-12T11:57:00.001-05:002024-01-12T13:05:30.067-05:00Reflections on the recent NOTA & Lucy Faithfull Foundation sexual abuse prevention conference <p>By <b>Megan Hinton, Victim and Survivor Advocate, Marie
Collins Foundation</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I recently joined the Marie Collins Foundation (MCF) as a Victim
and Survivor Advocate. My role involves working alongside those with lived
experience of technology-assisted child sexual abuse to champion and amplify
their voice and embed it into policy, practice, and academia.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a survivor myself part of my position includes speaking
about my lived experience at conferences and events. So, when the Lucy Faithfull
Foundation reached out to ask if I wanted to give the opening address at the Preventing
Child Sexual Abuse Conference organized jointly with NOTA, I felt honored. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prior to the conference, I needed to gain more knowledge about prevention methods and believed most prevention work was done through PHSE lessons in schools and charity-led awareness campaigns. Joining the conference, I felt
intrigued to learn in order to identify any cross-over that may help with my
role. But I also felt apprehensive about attending as I knew the conference
would heavily focus on perpetrators rather than the voice of survivors. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During my presentation, I spoke about the importance of
prevention from a survivor’s perspective, referencing my own experience and
embedding key messages from MCF’s Lived Experience Group. During my address, I quoted one of our Lived Experience Group Members who said, “Survivors get a
lifelong sentence”. I also emphasized that whilst child sexual abuse can take place over many years, it can also happen in as little as a few hours, and yet the impact is the same; it fundamentally changes who you are as a person. My
hope was for my address to encourage attendees to anchor their thoughts on the children,
victims and survivors they work to protect. I wanted attendees to challenge
their thinking and reflect on how they could apply what they learned from the conference
to their work and day-to-day life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My apprehensions about the conference's content quickly
dissipated as I listened to the presentations that followed my own. It was
heartening to see each speaker cover a point I had made during my address,
which ensured survivors' voices were visible throughout the day. Some key
points that I was particularly happy to see focused on included challenging
stereotypes of victims and offenders and highlighting that schools cannot be
the only place where conversations about child sexual abuse take place. MCF’s
Lived Experience Group told us they want to ‘blow the lid off’ child sexual
abuse and the silence that surrounds it. Victims and survivors regularly tell
MCF that sexual abuse is still rarely spoken about and that makes it difficult
for children to identify abuse or find the words to explain what is happening
to them. So it was encouraging to hear practitioners with similar views who
were committed to raising awareness and involving wider society in
conversations about child sexual abuse.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The impact of child sexual abuse can be profound and
devastating and that impact does not stop with the victim or survivor, it can
ripple through ‘secondary victims’ such as family, friends and the communities
that surround the child. So, seeing each presentation looking at prevention through a multi-agency public health lens was excellent. The presentations were
informative and easy to digest and covered a range of different aspects to
prevention. I particularly enjoyed learning about the three levels of
prevention – primary, secondary and tertiary - and how these would fit into a
public health model. I also appreciated the level of detail given so that I
could begin to understand the thinking and evidence base that supports
compassionate and restorative intervention work. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The conference really challenged my own way of thinking positively. One personal learning point was the realization that tertiary prevention work is not about justification, excuses, or minimizing the harm caused to victims; it’s about preventing reoffending and protecting children. I
found it encouraging to hear about the success rates of these types of
interventions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The conference definitely inspired people to learn and
improve but also celebrated how far prevention work has come in such a short
space of time. Seeing people so passionate about their work, recognizing the challenges that they face, and striving to improve their services gave the
conference a real undertone of hope. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a survivor myself, the concept of prevention rarely
crossed my mind. I could lose years of my life thinking about ways my abuse
could have been prevented but wasn’t. As many other victims and survivors will
know, we often feel blame and accountability for our abuse, and it can make it
seem as though it was inevitable. But this conference allowed me to consider
how prevention strategies and services work, how they can improve and enabled
me to reflect on how we can better evaluate outcomes. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leaving the conference, I felt passionate about the
messaging in primary prevention and how difficult it is to assess and measure
outcomes for this type of intervention. In early prevention work, we often see too much responsibility placed on children to ‘keep themselves safe’,
particularly online. Through MCF’s direct work with children and their families
affected by technology-assisted child sexual abuse, we know this e-safety
messaging can silence victims from disclosing as they expect blame and shame.
Instead, we must focus on creating an environment where children and young
people and adults feel empowered to talk about these issues without threat or
fear of victim-blaming. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition, we see widespread societal blame on parents,
who often do all they can to safeguard their children. I believe actively
engaging and listening to those with lived experience, including parents whose
children have lived experience, could offer an insight into what primary
prevention messages do and don’t work and, more importantly, why. The incredible
group of brave victims and survivors in MCF’s Lived Experience Group is a testament that consultation with lived experience can, and does, positively improve services, practice, and policy. What we learn through our direct work can feed
into prevention work, and MCF values partnership working. We know partnerships
and collaboration improve outcomes for children, victims, and survivors, and this conference has further cemented the long-standing working relationship with LFF, NOTA, and MCF. I am excited to see how we work in partnership in the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-80279584157761360442023-12-29T02:38:00.002-05:002023-12-29T02:38:26.852-05:00Problematic sexual behaviors as a juvenile outcome measure<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">By <b>Norbert
Ralph, PhD, MPH<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
juveniles who sexually offended (JwSO), sexual recidivism is identified as one
of the primary outcome measures. Reitzel and Carbonell (2006) titled their
meta-analysis of treatment programs "The Effectiveness of Sexual Offender
Treatment for Juveniles as Measured by Recidivism." Methodologically and
clinically using this measure has virtues but also limitations. With sexual
recidivism rates in some researchers estimated to be about 5% (Lussier et al.,
2023) it would be difficult to obtain samples large enough to detect a
treatment effect. Also would a reduction from 5% to even 0% be significant
enough in terms of real-world impacts and cost/benefit considerations?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Other
outcomes have been used. Nonsexual recidivism has been identified as another
benchmark to assess treatment outcomes. Lussier et al. (2023) identified
general recidivism for this population as 44% and Caldwell (2016) as 27% in
meta-analytic studies. General recidivism has been a focus of study, and for
example, Abei et al. (2022) carried out a study of high-risk JwSO youth to
compare the efficacy of sexual offense-oriented therapy and social skills
training in the prevention of both sexual and general recidivism. Further, the
Multisystemic Therapy group used out-of-home placements, among other measures
(Borduin & Munschy, 2021). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
benchmark for juveniles who sexually offended is examining problematic sexual
behaviors (PSB) that may not result in arrests or formal recidivism. Viljoen et
al. (2007) reported a rate of such behaviors in a residential treatment program
with 169 JwSO youth of 16.6% and an average JSORRAT-II score of 6.1. Ralph
(2015) in a study of another residential treatment program with 129 JwSO youth
reported a rate of PSB of 20.6% and an average JSORRAT-II score of 6.3. The
average JSORRAT-II scores (6.1 and 6.3 respectively) of the samples indicated
that both groups above the average risk levels (Epperson, 2019). In the latter
study (Ralph, 2015), any sexual behavior that violated the rules of the setting
was classified as misbehavior. Notably none of these behaviors resulted in
charges, even though some were serious enough to be charged. Presumably, this
was considered not necessary because these youth were already on probation for
such offenses and were in court-ordered treatment. For context is important to note
findings such as Ybarra & Mitchell (2013) which identified nearly 1 in 10
youths (9%) reported some type of sexual violence perpetration in their
lifetime. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
example including PSB is in Letourneau et al. (2009), which reported an outcome
study regarding Multisystemic Therapy (MST) using the Adolescent Sexual
Behavior Inventory (Friedrich, Lysne, Sims, & Shamos, 2004) and its Sexual
Risk/Misuse subscale. Because of the nature of the scale, specific PSBs weren't
possible to separate out, such as coercing others to have sex. Abei et al.
(2022) in the study mentioned previously, classified as sexual recidivism not
only formal charges but also PSB that may have resulted in a formal charge but
did not. However, the rate of such PSB separate from charged offenses was not
separately described. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
above information has several implications regarding assessment and treatment
for these youth. One is the recommendation that such behaviors be included in
outcome studies assessing treatment effectiveness and also for individual
programs as part of their quality assurance procedures. These behaviors are
important to address since they may have victims too and likely increase the
risk of future such behaviors. Once identified, these behaviors are more likely
to become an explicit focus of treatment. Notably, the Abei et al. (2022) study
has already included PSB. Also, PSB may be tracked systematically in future MST
studies <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
is another consideration. It might be possible to develop risk measures to
assess for PSB that do not result in formal charges. For example, in the study
by Ralph (2015) youth examining PSB, who had a male victim and previous mental
health treatment had an AUC (Area Under the Curve) of .74. Practically,
developing risk measures to assess for PSB might be more possible than
developing measures to assess sexual recidivism alone, given the low sexual
recidivism rates. Clinically, such measures would be useful to assess the risk
of a given youth for sexual acting out at the beginning of treatment,
particularly for high-risk youth, so that treatment methods and the amount of
treatment could adequately be planned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-27135151312914651192023-12-13T10:48:00.006-05:002023-12-13T10:48:54.198-05:00Ethical considerations of the financial cost of resources on harmful sexual behaviour services<p> By<b> Sophie King-Hill, Ph.D., University of Birmingham</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In many harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) services for children
and young people (CYP) how resources are funded, developed, and delivered is
coming under increasing scrutiny as frontline and third sectors organisations
are having budgets cut and services reduced. Given this context, is it ever
ethical to charge for these resources?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Preventing and responding to (HSB) in children and young
people forms a significant proportion of the work social services, the third
sector and social justice organisations carry out. Due to this there are many
tools, assessments and interventions (referred to as resources) that have been
developed that make a tangible and positive difference to the lives of CYP and
their families. This, and the other points made in this article, also hold true
for the adult criminal justice field, but it is beyond the scope of the authors
expertise to discuss these in-depth and the focus will be on HSB services for
CYP.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When considering HSB the moral philosophy appears to be
underpinned by the reduction and prevention of sexual abuse and harm and the
promotion of well-being and recovery. So the reduction of harm and the
maximising of benefits. Ethics are often highlighted in practice in terms of
work carried out with CYP and their families and of the practice that is delivered,
and the research that is conducted. Yet these ethical considerations are sparse
when considering products that are commissioned and used. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At face value the ethical principles of HSB work may appear
clear-cut (i.e., work in a trauma informed way, do no harm, protect the
patient/service user). However, after scrutiny, the lines seem blurred. This
field is inhabited by professionals from a range of specialisms and fields
(i.e., sociology, psychology, criminology, social work, police, probation,
prisons, social care); therefore, HSB services are a multi-disciplinary,
multi-agency area that exist at a crossroads between practices, policies, and
processes. This means that the ethical considerations are somewhat complex as
no core set values and principles exist as they do in medicine, law or criminal
justice for instance. In social work for example, there is an explicit
commitment to human dignity and worth. In medicine there is a framework that is
built around doing good and no harm, free choice, justice and fairness. These
are ethical principles in which professions are bound - being built around
trust and held to account by bodies such as the General Medical Council. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whilst a multi-agency approach is clearly needed for HSB, a
by-product of this way of working is that no steadfast and explicit ethical
principles exist due to the range of specialisms involved. This lack of a sense
of measure, accountability and consistent public pledge has perhaps created an
environment where profitable endeavours have gained traction and power without
the rigour of adequate ethical questioning. Given that preventing and responding
to HSB is both social justice and social care work, and given the rise of
health approaches and thinking in the HSB field there is a strong argument that
work, including tools and interventions, needs to be framed by social not
private enterprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, profitability,
in its purest form does not seem to align when considering the field of HSB and
the underpinning principles of minimising harm and suffering and supporting
recovery. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The impact of the financial costs of resources on practice
and provision in harmful sexual behaviour services<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consideration needs to be given to the impact of the
financial costs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of resources. If the
costs of resources is not equitable and is the same for all, in HSB services it
risks failing CYP and their families for a number of reasons, for example:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If some professionals can access the resource
and others can’t then this can result in miscommunication and misunderstanding
between the differing agencies. Research tells us that multi-agency work is a
crucial aspect of positive HSB outcomes, so this has the potential to cause
conflict in this space.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If, because of the cost, only a few
professionals in one agency can access certain resources then this may also
risk the dilution and misuse of what has been paid for. This points to a flawed
and unsustainable model – and may also indicate that in social welfare contexts
a model based purely on profits may make the overall issues worse, not better.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Training costs will always have to be ongoing if
there is a commitment to a certain resource, which again may be unsustainable
for agencies with small budgets. High staff turn-over may result in resources
not being used adequately as the trained experts will have left. Additionally,
when the case loads of those who are trained are full, what then happens to CYP
who need support.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The exclusion of CYP and families from accessing
services if professionals aren't trained or have knowledge is also
inadvertently causing them harm. This runs the risk of a two tier model – even
in the same service with some CYP and their families getting good support and
others not. When something exists that can make a tangible positive difference
to the lives of CYP and their families in an area as damaging as HSB, with no
equitable approach, can be measured against ethical principles as inherently morally
wrong.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The financial cost of resources can,
inadvertently, create a postcode lottery of service delivery and interventions.
For example, services in poorer socio-economic areas may not have the resources
to pay for resources and therefore CYP and their families maybe excluded from
accessing services.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Additionally, consideration needs to be given as to how resources
are commissioned and adopted by services and how this is supported by them as
well as by government and local authority budgets and spending. If resources are
shown to be working and making a measurable difference to the lives of CYP, and
their families, then large-scale funding and commissioning should be
considered. This may negate the issues with the profiting from damaging social
welfare issues that have gained traction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What can be done?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is important to consider the role, impact, and purpose of
charging for resources on the HSB sector has. If the purpose is to positively
support CYP who have sexually harmed or been harmed in an evidence-based way to
reduce harm, then of course the materials used need to be based on research as
well as expertise. The reality is that costs need to be covered, this is not
unrealistic. And to protect their fidelity through this should always be
considered. However, questions need to be asked in terms of the level of
profitability over social good and where this is ethically situated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pure profitability perspective still
appears ethically flawed in this field and considerations of revenue sacrifice,
when bearing in mind the positive impact on people’s lives, should be made.
Perhaps a case could be made for a ‘robin hood’ model of working when charging
for services in this arena. In its simplest form this means charging those that
can afford it more and providing subsidies, resources and free services, to those
who can’t. This model emerged in the 1970s as can be seen in the work on
cataracts by the Aravind Eye Care Hospital in India at this time. Other
businesses have followed suit such as Warby Parker (buy one, give one for
glasses) and Cotopaxi (donating money for social good from profits) and is
underpinned by increasing social responsibilities of profit-making businesses.
With the right policy transfer frameworks in place this application of values
and approach can work in the field of resources and interventions that are
being charged for in the field of HSB. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Work in field of prevention of and response to HSB is a
moral and ethical issue, it is carried out by professionals who, in the main,
deeply care and are motivated to help the people they work with, and therefore
should be given access to the best resources available, regardless of cost.
This is even more relevant in working with children and young people in this
space. Therefore, should businesses that trade in this arena be held to account
and be bound to shared ethical principles, standards, and safeguards. These
principles could be set out in a charter mark for example, that has a clear
ethical criterion when making profit in this field that is underpinned by the
aim of maximising benefits and minimising harm to CYP and their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aim should be geared around considering
where they can make profitable sacrifices to maximise benefits and reduce harm
- being held to account when this is not evidenced, via an ethical framework.
It can be argued that in this field that the outcomes for CYP and their families
should be paramount and a recognition first and foremost for the lives of the
people who can benefit from services should be at the forefront of any business
considerations. That public benefit, as outlined by the Charity Commission, is
a key component of work in this area, especially in frontline services (i.e.,
social work, policing, child protection) that are publicly funded. The
landscape, when explored through the lens of ethics, provides a concerning
picture of an environment where the lack of consistent ethical principles means
there is no bar to measure against. Therefore, when considering maximising
benefits and minimising harm, in the field of HSB this lack of accountability
runs the risk of becoming incredibly dangerous.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-30404389800543771842023-12-08T12:37:00.005-05:002023-12-08T16:14:42.389-05:00The Second Edition of ATSA’s Task Force Report on Children with Sexual Behavior Problems is now Available<p> <span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt;">By </span><b style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt;">David S. Prescott, LICSW & Amanda Pryor</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In 2005 and 2006, I was fortunate
enough to be a part of ATSA’s task force on children with sexual behavior
problems. The task at that time was simple; we would write a report summarizing
what is known, and provide recommendations for assessment, treatment, and
policy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chair Mark Chaffin made the task
simpler still. He organized the task force members into three groups, each of
which would tackle one of the content areas and produce a section three pages
long He would then edit the document and send it on to the board. Not
surprisingly, none of the groups could limit their contribution to just three
pages, but this clever approach made the process significantly easier, and the
result was both comprehensive and concise.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In 2018, ATSA’s leadership requested an
update to this report. The idea was not to start from scratch, but merely to
update the first edition. Again, this
seemed like an easy task, but became more complicated along the way, including
by significant changes in the office and the onset of the pandemic. The project
that started with Phil Rich as the board liaison was then shepherded by Amanda
Pryor, who succeeded Phil. Although I had been asked to Chair the task force,
the final document reflects collaboration between many players in the task
force, the ATSA office, ATSA’s Executive Board of Directors, and its Child and
Adolescent Committee.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In other words, both the content and
the processes changed over the years, and resulted in a stronger yet more
flexible document in an era where the level of scrutiny by stakeholders has
only grown higher. This document, which emphasizes person-first language, has
been as thoroughly reviewed and considered as any document that ATSA has
produced. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt;">What else has changed over the years?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To start, the research in this area has
come a long way. Many people are to be congratulated for this. This research
has emerged from many areas, from the University of Oklahoma to the United
Kingdom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">During the initial review of the first
edition, it became clear that we needed more of a focus on trauma and
adversity. Anyone working with children and teens has long had an appreciation
for the importance of understanding the role of trauma and adversity in the
lives of our young clients. However, our understanding of these areas has
become much more granular over time. Working with the task force was a great
opportunity to reflect on this.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The role of technology has also changed
dramatically. When the first task force report came out, the iPhone was still
in development, early exposure to sexually explicit media was less common, and
social media was in its infancy. Further, the “tube” sites (a generic term for
online pornography sites that provide free content) had begun to flourish only
at around the same time as the first edition of the task force’s report.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It is also important to note that our
field’s understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation of diversity has also come
a long way, in research, professional discourse, and clinical practice. This
focus has included considerations related to LGBTQ+ youth and other
marginalized communities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">There has been impressive innovation in
treatment approaches and modalities. This includes more sophisticated think
about family involvement, group-based approaches, and individual therapy. We
now have even greater confirmation of the important and very noble role that
families and other caregivers can have in helping children emerge into a safer
adolescence.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Further, the process led us (and this
was really Amanda’s contribution) to produce this as a foundational document focusing
on assessment, treatment, and placement considerations. Across the coming
months, there will be addenda produced to address specific areas. These include
considerations in the areas of technology, sexuality, culture, intellectual and
developmental disabilities, sibling abuse, policy, and collaboration with Child
Advocacy Centers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Also in the background is knowledge
that the document we produced is aimed at primarily North American audiences
and that additional materials with more of an international slant would also
likely be welcome. While ATSA is truly an international organization, it also
recognizes that North American practitioners can sometimes face unique
challenges.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Ultimately, no
document can be all things to everyone, but this project, thanks to uncountable
numbers and drafts across many years, will hopefully guide many professionals
in a more empirically grounded and helpful way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">Download the document: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.atsa.com/CSBP-2023" target="_blank"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://www.atsa.com/CSBP-2023</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-78453090154464942452023-11-23T03:41:00.000-05:002023-11-23T03:41:49.072-05:00‘Tis the season of restoration<p> By <b>Kieran McCartan, PhD</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our friends in America celebrate Thanksgiving this week, a sometimes
fraught and challenging holiday.
Families and friends come together to celebrate reunion, restoration,
and a rekindling of relationships. It sounds easy, but it’s not! It can be
difficult and sometimes irreconcilable. Establishing and re-establishing a
sense of family or community is not always easy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Interestingly, this week is also <a href="https://www.euforumrj.org/en/RJWeek">Restorative Justice week</a>. Across
Europe, it’s a time to discuss restorative practice in the criminal justice
system. Like Thanksgiving in the US, restorative practice is also challenging
and complex. It can also help people resolve issues, rebuild lives, and move forward
from the trauma they experienced or caused. Restorative practices are
common across social justice; we have seen them used in personal, community, and social conflict cases. My first exposure to restorative practice was
long before studying criminal justice; it was in my native Northern Ireland, where the process was encouraged as a community-building device in the peace
talks and the creation of the Good Friday agreement. However, there is one area
where restorative practice is not always accepted, where it’s seen as
challenging, difficult, and, at times, a risk: Sexual abuse!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week, Thursday and Friday, I chaired two separate and
quite distinct events for the Thriving Survivors organization. One was an event
hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, where members of the organization
discussed their work and highlighted their good practices. The second event was
a traditional conference focusing on restorative justice and sexual abuse,
calling for the need to have systematic change in the way that restorative
justice is responded to. The events focused on the need for a coherent
restorative practice to offer to victims of sexual abuse, one that’s victim-led,
holistic, strengths-based, and sustainable. The conference illustrated how those
who are victimized by sexual abuse should have access to and engagement with
the services that they want, not just the services that the state and third parties
want to offer them (or, even worse, feel that they should have). The conference showed
that sexual abuse is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be separated
from real life, especially when the abuse is committed by and connected to
family systems, friend groups, and peer networks. Sexual abuse needs to be
confronted, and people who are victimized seek help as well as support in
whatever form they feel comfortable. The speakers (including <a href="https://people.ucd.ie/marie.keenan">Dr Marie Keenan</a>; <a href="https://www.napier.ac.uk/people/estelle-zinsstag">Dr Estelle Zinsstag</a>; and David Russell) and organisations (<a href="https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/scotland/">Stop it now Scotland</a>; <a href="https://www.consentcollective.com/">The Consent Collective</a>; <a href="https://restorativejustice.org.uk/">Restorative Justice Council</a>; <a href="https://rjappg.co.uk/">All party working group on restorative justice</a>)
reiterated the importance of personal choice, support, collaboration, and
taking a victim-centred approach. This was brought together by a keynote from Professor
Judith Herman, who talked about her new<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Truth-Repair-Survivors-Envision-Justice/dp/1529395003/ref=pd_sbs_sccl_1_2/258-1642942-7626049?pd_rd_w=ujqUo&content-id=amzn1.sym.a7c03d60-8d42-4bd6-8f4c-48c93dc50873&pf_rd_p=a7c03d60-8d42-4bd6-8f4c-48c93dc50873&pf_rd_r=93WP2E4YVZ32Y106YE8J&pd_rd_wg=AICme&pd_rd_r=46270477-1096-49f8-a71e-188f56435d03&pd_rd_i=1529395003&psc=1">
book</a> emphasizing the importance of the voices of those victimized in the healing process. That system-wide change is needed to make
the criminal justice system less traumatizing for victims. One way of doing
that is through thoughtful, well-planned restorative practice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The two days reinforced the importance of personal choice and careful, detailed, trauma-informed, and strengths-based services. If done well, restorative practice can support victims in moving forward and
finding closure or acceptance. Restorative practice needs to be victim-led,
flexible, and accessible to all. The system needs to change to hear
the voices of those harmed. In this season of restoration, please ask yourself
what everyone needs to come together and talk about and the best way to do
this.<o:p></o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-30799183614823913312023-11-17T03:06:00.002-05:002023-11-17T03:06:25.920-05:00Bridging Science and Various Practices: Insights from NL-ATSA Symposium<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Kasia Uzieblo &
Minne De Boeck</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">An essential goal of the Dutch-speaking affiliation of
ATSA, NL-ATSA, is to bring science closer to local professionals, and thus,
strengthening the bridge between theory and practice. In our countries,
professionals traditionally attend fewer international scientific conferences
due to limited budgets and language barriers. Often, our researchers travel
abroad to share their insights, having limited chances to connect with local
professionals. Therefore, NL-ATSA provides a platform for individuals who
have spoken at the annual ATSA conference. This year, NL-ATSA organized a 'Best
of ATSA' symposium with a specific focus: offering Dutch-speaking colleagues
who presented at the ATSA conference in 2022 the opportunity to share their
insights with local professionals. Additionally, we invited Russell Pratt from
Australia as our international guest speaker.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Russell Pratt's Insightful Lecture</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Forensic psychologist and D. Psych, </span><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.primeforensicpsychology.com/about"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Russell Pratt</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> delivered an
online lecture titled <i>'Treating Youth Engaging in Harmful Sexual
Behaviour: Considering Developmental Trauma and Pornography Consumption.'</i> Pratt
emphasized the importance of approaching minors engaging in sex offenses from a
developmental perspective rather than an adult one. He explored how
developmental trauma impacts adolescent behavior, including harmful sexual
behaviors, through its influence on attachment and brain development. Pratt
expressed concerns about easy access to pornographic material and its impact on
the well-being and sexual behavior of minors. He stressed the need for
addressing such issues from an early age through educational programs,
preferably starting at age 6. He discussed The </span><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2019/10/the-savvy-consumer-guide-for.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">SAVVY CONSUMER Model</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, a simple, effective
framework for professionals and parents to assist children and young people to
critique pornography as well as assist in developing their understanding of
healthy sexual practices.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Insights from our Dutch Professionals</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://be.linkedin.com/in/minne-de-boeck-a810719a"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Minne De Boeck</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> (criminologist and
program manager Stop it Now! Flanders) and </span><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-van-den-heuvel-267a12145/"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kelly van den Heuvel</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Stop it Now! the
Netherlands), presented The Stop it Now! model of perpetration prevention. On
the occasion of its 30th anniversary in 2022, the following three questions
were discussed: Where are we now? What innovative projects are currently being
implemented? And where do we need to go from here? They described how CSA can
be approached using the comprehensive framework for the prevention of child
sexual abuse (<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2008-05910-000"><span style="color: blue;">Smallbone et al., 2008</span></a>), and demonstrated how
specific preventive initiatives (e.g., helpline services, online self help
tools, conversation guides, support groups for relatives…) fit in this
framework and contribute to the prevention of CSA. By means of the framework,
they discussed what is needed for effective prevention of offending behaviors
according to Stop it Now!. Furthermore, they presented a case study to
illustrate how Stop it Now! helplines work and how prevention can be achieved.
They concluded with current common challenges, like the extensive grow of CSEM
material, uncertain funding and difficulties with professional secrecy and the
rules of mandatory reporting. Furthermore, they formulated suggestions to move
forward in offender-oriented prevention, emphasizing the need of social
awareness, research, and a public and political shift.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://nl.linkedin.com/in/nina-ten-hoor-0b202273"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nina ten Hoor</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, clinical psychologist
and psychotherapist at De Waag, a forensic outpatient service in the
Netherlands, shared her research on utilizing EMDR treatment for individuals
who have engaged in sexual offending. Her exploration included restructuring
distorted implicit cognitions and personal vulnerability factors, reducing
emotional responses associated with offending, and addressing deviant sexual
arousal. In addition, she looked at how EMDR can also help our clients with
processing one’s own trauma as well as offending-related trauma. She presented
a case study of a man convicted of child sexual abuse, highlighting the
application of EMDR therapy to directly address one’s deviant sexual
arousal. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">A
5-year follow-up conversation with the former client revealed that although his
interest in young girls seemingly returned, this client to avoid letting these
feelings overwhelm him.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://dfzs.nl/onderzoeker/eveline-schippers/"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eveline Schippers</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, project manager and
researcher at the Forensic Care Specialists (the Netherlands), presented her
doctoral research on understanding the origins of deviant sexual interests.
Defining sexual deviance proves challenging, and Schippers emphasized that we mainly
tend to consider its impact on the individual and/or others, and not the nature
of the sexual interests/behaviors itself. Despite acknowledging the risks
associated with deviant sexual interests in our clients, theoretical
explanations for their development remain limited. Still, it is vital to gain
insights into how these develop so that we could implement more targeted
interventions. Schippers discussed factors such as the </span><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.scivisionpub.com/pdfs/excitation-transfer-between-sexual-arousal-and-other-emotions-study-protocol-2651.pdf"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">excitation transfer</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> between emotions
and sexual arousal, highlighting how emotions like dominance/aggression and
fear can contribute to stronger sexual arousal. In addition, she
presented </span><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37729612/#:~:text=Abstract,et%20al.%2C%202021)."><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">her study</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> in which she found
evidence for four overarching themes within unusual sexual interests, being
"forbidden-extreme," "light BDSM" and
"BDSM-heavy" and "fetish-forbidden, emphasizing that these
interests occur in the general population. Finally, she discussed </span><span lang="NL-BE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359178922000945"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">her meta-analysis</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> showing that child
abusers with pedophilia exhibit stronger sexual interests in children than
control groups, but at the same time exhibit less sexual interests in adults,
suggesting that the latter may be a meaningful factor in treatment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Promoting Collaboration across Work Fields</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The symposium served not only as a meeting ground
between theory and practice, but also as a successful meeting ground for
professionals working with offenders and those working with victims of sexual
offenses. This cross-pollination of ideas, insights, and experiences between
the two fields is encouraging and should be stimulated. It became for instance
evident that professionals working with offenders may not fully appreciate the
many questions those working with victims often have regarding the underlying
mechanisms of sexual violent behavior and prevention, amongst others.
Encouraging further collaboration between these fields is crucial in our
collective effort against sexual violence.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In conclusion, the symposium highlighted the
importance of bringing together science and various practices. The engaging
lectures underscored the need for ongoing collaboration and the sharing of
knowledge to enhance our collective understanding of and response to sexual
offending behavior.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-15909332776906318732023-11-10T12:24:00.002-05:002023-11-10T12:24:17.654-05:00The Impact of World Events on Our Work.<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">By<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>David S. Prescott, LICSW</b></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I
recently discussed the Good Lives Model with a psychologist from the UK. She
was not the first to ask a question along the lines of, “How do I work in
treatment with a client on the goal of ‘living and surviving’ when they have no
job, little help from the government, and are at risk of losing their
residence?” It became apparent that the best way forward under the
circumstances was to provide resources for her client to remain housed and
employed. She had been thinking of living and surviving in the abstract,</span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">viewing
it through a purely clinical lens. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">At
a time when so many are focused on maintaining fidelity to evidence-based
treatment approaches, we can miss the fact that our clients sometimes have urgent
needs. Therapeutic conversations and case management can have a role in our
work. </span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We
may even overlook not only the solutions around us, but our own strengths and
resources in finding solutions with our clients. In so doing, we can improve
our alliances and specific responsivity. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It's
clear that many aspects of our changing world have at least moderately close
relationships to risk. Global conflicts, climate change, decreased funding, and
the evolving nature of public discourse around inclusion and equity can all
influence client risk and protective factors. Although we have historically
improved our ability to understand individual clients’ functioning, there is
much we don’t understand about how a changing and increasingly uncertain world
intersects with re-offense risk. To examine this further:</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">While
climate change is beyond the scope of this blog and ATSA’s mission beyond, if the
trends continue, treatment providers, supervising agents, and clients will all
be affected. For example, how does extreme weather interact with risk factors
such as relationship stability, self-regulation, and proneness to rapidly
escalating affect and emotions? We’ve already seen how community distress can
quickly result in looting. Are treatment programs and providers in a position
to address these challenges with their clients? </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Recent
reports show that </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.habitat.org/costofhome/2023-state-nations-housing-report-lack-affordable-housing"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">housing </span></a></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> and </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/food-insecurity-by-state"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">food
insecurity</span></a></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> are
growing, while resources to alleviate them are not. These have occurred
contemporaneously with </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease_of_despair#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20deaths%20of,in%20terms%20of%20money%2C%20expensive."><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">deaths of
despair</span></a></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
and </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7195322/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">domestic
violence</span></a></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">.</span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Meanwhile,
within our field, many professionals have had difficulties finding staff due to
cost of living increases. </span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One might reasonably ask how we are all doing managing
our own risk factors? Have our anxieties had an effect on our own
self-regulation skills?</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Further,
in many quarters, funding for treatment has decreased, while expectations
around billing, documentation, and the threat “<a href="https://www.irmi.com/term/insurance-definitions/clawback-provision">clawbacks</a>”
of payments already made to providers have increased. At the same time, many
states maintain high standards for professionals working in this field. One
wonders about a possible collision course between decreasing pay and the
ever-increasing responsibilities that come with this work.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Finally,
there are the lingering after-effects of the pandemic. We still don’t know the
full impact of the past several years on other forms of </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7195322/pdf/main.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">interpersonal
violence</span></a></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">,
although we know that violence interacts with sexual re-offense risk. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Other
questions remain. What are the effects of other world events? As of this
writing, there are two major wars in the headlines. Coverage of them has been
rife with partisan rhetoric that can make violence seem acceptable in the eyes
of clients who have their own violent histories.</span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Speaking
only for myself, I’ve experienced both sensitization and desensitization in
response to world events and the ways that media outlets report on them. It can
be difficult to place current events into any meaningful or predictive context.
Certainty about anything in short supply. We professionals are experiencing
these changes, often intensely.</span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">There
is no way our clients aren’t as well. The question is how we respond to this,
empirically and in practice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin: 0cm;"><span class="gmail-s1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Professionals
in our field, like our clients, can be remarkably resilient and creative. The
hope of the author and the intent of this blog post is that by outlining some
questions that don’t often get discussed, we may be better poised to find
solutions. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-37432669505285190322023-10-26T05:12:00.004-04:002023-10-26T05:12:59.331-04:00Halloween and Crime<p> By <span style="text-align: center;"><b>David S. Prescott, LICSW</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As a young clinician, I recall the director of a
residential treatment facility for adolescents bemoaning Halloween. “Those of
us who work in this field wish this ‘holiday’ would just go away,” he said. He
wasn’t entirely wrong. The troubled teens we worked with were angry that they
wouldn’t be able to party that night, and they had often gotten in trouble because
of Halloween-related activities. As I got older, I recall one neighbor (a
teacher) who was particularly vulnerable to students who covered his trees in
toilet paper. During this time, I also sought to help my own kids get through
each Halloween gracefully, exercising both caution and restraint against going
too far.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Looking back over my career, however, I don’t recall ever
hearing that a client had abused a child while trick-or-treating. I also don’t
recall ever hearing about sex crimes on Halloween from colleagues, despite it
being a topic of discussion this time of year. It seems worthwhile to mention
all of this because people on probation who’ve been convicted of sex crimes
often deal with a heightened level of scrutiny and restriction on Halloween, no
matter the nature of their crimes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While I don’t question the importance of appropriate
supervision methods and restrictions in helping clients prevent further crime,
I do wish that these took place in a more evidence-informed way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In 2009, Mark Chaffin, Jill Levenson, Elizabeth
Letourneau, and Paul Stern produced an excellent study titled, “</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26651243_How_Safe_Are_Trick-or-Treaters_An_Analysis_of_Child_Sex_Crime_Rates_on_Halloween"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">How Safe Are
Trick-or-Treaters? An Analysis of Child Sex Crime Rates on Halloween</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">” for the <i>Sexual Abuse </i>journal. The abstract from
that paper speaks for itself:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“States, municipalities, and parole departments have
adopted policies banning known sex offenders from Halloween activities, based
on the worry that there is unusual risk on these days. The existence of this
risk has not been empirically established. National Incident-Base Reporting
System crime report data from 1997 through 2005 were used to examine daily
population adjusted rates from 67,045 nonfamilial sex crimes against children
aged 12 years and less. Halloween rates were compared with expectations based
on time, seasonality, and weekday periodicity. Rates did not differ from
expectation, no increased rate on or just before Halloween was found, and
Halloween incidents did not evidence unusual case characteristics. Findings
were invariant across years, both prior to and after these policies became
popular. These findings raise questions about the wisdom of diverting law
enforcement resources to attend to a problem that does not appear to exist.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Five years later, Jill Levenson wrote a post for </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2014/10/halloween-sex-crime-myth-vs-reality.html"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">this blog</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> on this topic, pointing out that in her research with
Chaffin et al:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US">“We then examined over 5
million crimes that took place in 30 states on or around Halloween in
2005. The most common types of crime on Halloween and adjacent days were
theft (32%), destruction or vandalism of property (21%), assault (19%) and
burglary (9%). Vandalism and property destruction accounted for a greater
proportion of crime around Halloween compared to other days of the year (21%
vs. 14% of all reports). Sex crimes of all types accounted for slightly
over 1% of all Halloween crime. Non-familial sex crimes against children age 12
and under accounted for less than .2% (2 out of every thousand crimes) of all
Halloween crime incidents.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US">“Other risks to children
are much more salient on Halloween. According to the Center for Disease
Control, children ages 5 to 14 are <u>four</u> times more likely to be killed
by a pedestrian/motor-vehicle accident on Halloween than on any other day of
the year. These findings call into question the justification for
diverting law enforcement resources away from more prevalent public safety
concerns on Halloween.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Many years of work in residential treatment later, it
still amazes me how much our decision-making can be swayed by the emotions that
holidays bring out in us. For example, poorly constructed family visits at
Christmas that would never have been considered at another time of the year have
sometimes led to life-altering consequences. Again, Jill Levenson summarized
the emotional elements well:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“Lest some critics suggest that by pointing out the
limitations of these laws I am demonstrating a lack of concern for the safety
of children, I'd argue that we are all on the same side. We all want to live in
safer communities and I agree that public awareness generated by these laws has
led to important dialogue about intolerance of sexual violence. But as
tax-paying citizens, don't we also want our resources to be utilized in ways
that are most likely to achieve the expected goals? And don't social scientists
have an obligation to help inform strategies designed to enhance the public
good?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The above points may be
even more important today than when they appeared in 2014. It often seems that
our public policies today are driven more by in-the-moment emotion than by
facts. Here in 2023, as we prepare for more anxiety around Halloween, I hope we
will remember all the other threats to children in the world and take the right
actions accordingly.</span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-27480879962817197042023-10-20T04:33:00.000-04:002023-10-20T04:33:52.204-04:00Discovering what was already there: The (re)emergence of Sibling Sexual Abuse<p> By <b>Kieran
McCartan, PhD, David Prescott, LICSW, and Kasia Uzieblo, PhD</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s
interesting to consider the ebb and flow of academic and professional interest.
We have seen on the blog over the years (this is post 510 and the blog has been
running since July 2010) different topics come and go, some having periods of
significance and periods of dominance. We have seen prevention become
established, while risk assessment developments roll along in the background
and the polygraph remains controversial, sometimes even divisive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">One topic
that seems to have emerged strong and is now dominating the conversation, especially
in the UK and parts of Europe, that no one really saw coming is sibling sexual abuse
(SSA). This month, </span><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tjsa20/29/3"><span lang="EN-US">the <i>Journal of Sexual Aggression</i></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> had a special issue dedicated to
it, as well as the journal of </span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/child-abuse-and-neglect/about/call-for-papers#sibling-sexual-abuse-broken-from-a-supposedly-unbreakable-bond"><i><span lang="EN-US">Child Abuse & Neglect</span></i></a><span lang="EN-US">; so why the sudden increase in research
(and in some areas, practice like the development of a new <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/social-policy/departments/health-services-management-centre/research/projects/2022/sibling-sexual-behaviour-mapping/index.aspx">mapping
tool</a> for assessment and treatment planning) interest when SSA is not a new
phenomenon?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Controversies
about </span><a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=114830"><span lang="EN-US">incest and psychology</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> have been with us since </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Freudian_Coverup"><span lang="EN-US">Freud</span></a><span lang="EN-US">. In the US, sexual abuse within families and
among siblings became a focus of mental health interventions in the 1980s. At
the time, authors such as </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Love-Violence-Strategies-Transformation/dp/0393700968"><span lang="EN-US">Chloe Madanes</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> used techniques for family-based
interventions that appear harsh and misguided by today’s standards. Her contemporary,
Jan Hindman, wrote at length about clarification of abuse and demonstrated how
treating those who abuse can assist the healing of those abused. Within the
field of treating adolescents who sexually abused, authors such as Jerry Thomas
and Joann Schladale emerged in the 1990s and 2000s and addressed SSA through a
family-therapy lens. Much has been written outside of scholarly research about
the experience of surviving SSA; much less about those who commit the abuse. And
fewer still have conducted scientific inquiry into SSA until now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While the
above practice developments took place in the US, there has been a growing
conversation amongst professionals about SSA over the past five years in the UK
and Europe. This has often emerged from the study of harmful sexual behavior in
childhood, with research by the </span><a href="https://www.csacentre.org.uk/"><span lang="EN-US">Centre for Expertise on Child Sexual
Abuse</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> developing a
range of policy, practice, and research papers that indicate that it’s the most
common form of intrafamilial violence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">These
papers have started to change conversations and perspectives, particularly away
from the typical perspective of father (or male caregiver)-daughter incest
being the most prevalent form. This changing conversation has led to scoping
studies and emerging research conversations across the UK that have indicated a
professional and practice interest in the area. A main driver has been the
emergence of SSA as a bespoke form of abuse that is not the same as child sexual
abuse, peer-on-peer abuse, or other sexual exploitation. SSA involves a
combination of different forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation (sometimes
across multiple contexts), which makes it complicated and nuanced not only for
professionals and policy makers, but also for the children being harmed, the
children harming, their family, and peers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The
complexity of SSA means that those who are victimized do not always feel seen
in the system. They may not recognize themselves in service provision, nor in
prevention campaigns against sexual violence, which means that they do not
necessarily seek help or support. In many cases, they may not realize that they
have been abused. The implications of this are that the true prevalence of SSA
is unrecognized and underrepresented in children and adults services; this is a
problem because if we truly want to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual
abuse we need to recognize and see all forms. This means that professionals
need to rethink, reconceptualize and redevelop some of their existing practice
in this area. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It is
important to state that in the flurry of research and practice activities
related to SSA (full disclosure: Kieran and Kasia are researching and
publishing in this area while David has produced book chapters and trainings in
this area), we must balance the old with the new. It is essential to recognize
that we need to look at the full picture and consider existing research and
practice from other areas and what role they can play in professional discourse,
rather than simply creating new information. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">SSA sits at
the crossroads of Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, and Children’s Studies. We
therefore have to consider what these disciplines say about trauma, family
dynamics, abuse, violence, and their interactions with each other. The CSA Centre
and special edition of the JSA have done this well. It will be wise to acknowledge
and recognize what we know before we adapt and develop it for a new perspective
or audience. Additionally, it’s important to look towards other trends and
norms that are feeding into the establishment of this emerging topic (particularly
in light of what we are seeing with the lingering impact of COVID, lockdowns,
the presence of trauma and adversity, and the growing influence of pornography
on young people). Regarding this last point, with respect to pornography, practitioners
are reporting a rise in brother-sister/stepsibling content on relevant sites. Each of these considerations speaks to how we
need a broader social and community recognition of SSA and that conversations
around prevention need to happen in homes, schools, and communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While we recognize
and welcome the increased conversation about SSA in the professional, policy
and research arena, we think that it’s important to state that this is not a
new phenomenon. Rather, it is a shift in focus regarding a long-existing
concern, and a need to address a real issue in the lives of individuals and
families. Sadly, this problem receives scant attention in the media and that it
is not a topic regularly discussed in clinical practices outside our field. It
thus remains taboo. Nevertheless, we hope that with increased scientific
attention to this topic, interest from the community, counseling, policy etc.
will also significantly increase. Because there are still so many questions
that remain unanswered, such as, what interventions are adequate with this
group? What prevention measures can make a real impact? How can we also better
support adult victims of SSA? To answer these, we need input, insights, and
expertise from all services providers and users. Let’s not wait until a serious
case appears in the media before we really start investing time, money, and
efforts to prevent sibling sexual abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-89007222163165248552023-10-13T08:01:00.003-04:002023-10-13T08:01:37.461-04:00It’s all about taking full responsibility. <p> By<b> Kasia
Uzieblo, Ph.D</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Oh Belgium,
dear Belgium. A small European country, unknown to many. You can say a lot
about Belgium, but you can't say it's boring here politically. For example, a
politician has now been discredited for making racist statements toward the
Roma community. He made these statements against some police officers on a
night out. This news has dominated the Belgian news since Sept. 21, but it was
not until Oct. 5 that the politician in question apologized for his behavior at
</span><span lang="NL-BE"><a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/10/05/conner-rousseau-na-verhoor/"><span lang="EN-US">a press conference</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">. During this press conference, he
acknowledged that he made wrong statements. Here he emphasized that he does not
remember well what was said, that he was going through a heavy period and had
drunk too much, and that the statements took place in yet an amicable
atmosphere: “Even though it was drunk talk and even though he was joking, I
still want to apologize.” During the press conference, he did not mention the
word "racist." He would not understand should the public prosecutor
prosecute him for racism. "That's up to the prosecutor's office. But it
takes an intentional element. You have to want to hurt and offend someone. You
really have to be intentional about a group. …that intentional element is
absent with me. Also, the state I was in. You really shouldn't put any value on
what was said there at the time."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In recent
weeks several politicians have been discredited because of their behavior, and
each time we heard the excuse: I was drunk. What does this have to do with sexual
violence you may think? Well, because it is a behavioural and cognitive pattern
we recognize in many clients. Now take the following example. This same
politician had coincidentally previously been discredited in the context of
sexually transgressive behavior. Although these cases have since been dropped
because of a lack of evidence, his arguments during </span><span lang="NL-BE"><a href="https://www.goplay.be/video/de-tafel-van-gert/bekijk-hier-het-volledige-interview-met-conner-rousseau-in-de-tafel-van-gert"><span lang="EN-US">a TV interview</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> still resonate. When asked if he
had engaged in transgressive behavior, he stated that it is difficult to
determine what transgressive behavior actually is, since that boundary is
different for everyone. In the same breath, he stated that it is essential that
others have to indicate when this boundary is crossed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">To be
clear, I do not mean to imply that this politician nor others I’m referring to
have exhibited sexually transgressive behavior, but the rationalizations one
hears (e.g., I don't remember it well, I had too much to drink, it wasn't meant
to be hurtful, it was not intentional, others have to set boundaries), we also often
hear from our clients. And in that sense, their sense of responsibility or
rather, lack of, is relevant, also to our field.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We often
observe similar defensive reactions and rationalizations in our clients, and
this raises several issues and questions. People in public office, such as
politicians, should be well aware that they are role models. Obviously, they
are also human beings, and people make mistakes. But when you make mistakes,
you must take full responsibility and minimize neither the behavior nor the
consequences. This is also what we focus on, among other things, while treating
our clients. But what are our words about taking responsibility worth, when our
clients turn on the TV, hear similar rationalizations from politicians and see
that they can get away with it? Another question I’ve been struggling with is
the apparent ambiguity that we, both as a society and as professionals, assume
in this. Why do we go along with myth-strengthening and cognitive distortions
of some people while we condemn the rationalizations of others – and certainly of
the target group we work with? Moreover, within the group of people who
committed sexual offences we see that we differentiate: with some offenders we
seem to accept such arguments as it were, while with others who may be less
empowered, less eloquent, have less status and/or have committed more heinous
acts, we do not accept these rationalizations at all. My argument is not that
we should accept this passing on of responsibility in everyone, but rather that
we ourselves adopt ambiguous attitudes, and by doing so, we give ambiguous
messages to our clients: some may cross boundaries when drunk, but not you. And
it is this ambiguity that we must dare to question, as a society, but also as
professionals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-28592757192562162102023-10-06T06:24:00.002-04:002023-10-06T06:38:15.616-04:00A New Era: The 2023 ATSA Conference<p> By <b>Kieran
McCartan, PhD, </b>and<b> David Prescott, LICSW</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Last week, newcomers
to the field and seasoned professionals came together once again for the ATSA
conference, which took place in Aurora, Colorado (near Denver). As it has been
since the 1980s, it was a time to reconnect with like-minded professionals,
learn, discuss the current status of the field, and upskill. ATSA is always one
of the highlights of the conference season, not only for North American
delegates but for those from overseas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The first
thing to say about the conference was a change to the traditional schedule with
some events being dropped and others added (a closing reception) and others
being adapted (moving the Next Generation reception to a luncheon, turning the
welcome evening into a pre-conference welcome and networking event). The other
big change was that the pre-con sessions where on the same day as the opening
keynote. This is the first time that ATSA opened on the evening of the pre-con
day. These changes where good to see as the structure and function of the ATSA
conference has not changed in the 15 years that Kieran has been going (his
first one was in Atlanta 2008, when David was ATSA President!!). It will be interesting to hear attendees' feedback and see what sticks for next year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">All things
considered, it was an excellent experience. The ATSA Office staff and Executive
Director Amber Schroeder, along with Conference Co-Chairs Apryl Alexander and
Tom Leversee, had clearly thought out every angle of the experience, down to
the background colors of the main stage. They are to be commended for their
efforts. While no conference goes without minor hiccups (a missing room number
here, a noticeable typo in the program there), the classic “ATSA conference
vibe” was in full swing by the end of the first day, with people from around the
world connecting with one another. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The plenary
addresses this year set the tone for the conference and balanced all the
elements that the Conference Committee and Office hoped for. They ranged from
issues of the day (sexual compulsion, the impact of online abuse on those who
experience it) to the systems we work in (juvenile court) to what has and
hasn’t worked since before the living memory of attendees (an 80-year
metanalysis).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The first
plenary address was by Nicole Prause, PhD, who addressed what we do and don’t
know about sexual compulsion as a “disorder.” Central to her work is that if we
can’t completely understand the issues involved in sexual compulsion, our
efforts to provide treatment related to it will be severely compromised. Dr.
Prause reviewed the science thoroughly, often using screenshots of the research
she drew upon for her slides. Dr. Prause has often attracted unwanted attention
and criticism from those who believe fully in the construct of sexual
addiction, and was understandably highly prepared with a very considerable
wealth of research to back up her points. For David, this was one of the
highlights of the conference. It is easy to read articles, while finding
someone with expertise who can summarize the actual science (and not the
public’s opinions) is a far greater challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The second
day of the conference started with Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio who provided a
perspective on working with young people who sexually harmed from the court’s
perspectives. Kieran found this talk interesting and different from the typical
ATSA keynotes as it gave voice to an often unheard, but important voice in the
sexual harm debate, the judiciary. The judge reinforced the restrictions and
complications the legal system is bound to, and described how ultimately a judge’s
sentence may reflect the reality of the system rather than the nuance of their
perspective on what works. It made Kieran think about where the voice of the
judiciary is in the UK and how this might be replicated at NOTA. David, who has
spent time in the juvenile justice system, also noted some controversial
aspects to the judge’s approach, including compelling the young person to
describe their crimes in detail at sentencing. David’s opinion was that this is
better left to the clinical team treating the youth and can have adverse
consequences when it takes place in a courtroom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The third
keynote at the end of the second day was from Lindsey Lobb, Director of
Operations for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. She spoke on the topic
of working together to support families and victims of online sexual violence. After
providing some general information, Ms. Lobb provided sobering statistics about
the nature of online harassment and extortion. It is not nearly as simple as kids
sharing nude photos of themselves and facing shameful circumstances. Rather,
the scenarios that Ms. Lobb works with involve deep fear, humiliation,
vengeance, and the threat of serious harm. In fact, the dynamics strongly
resembled/intersected with domestic violence and human trafficking. These will
be dynamics that therapists need to address in treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The fourth
and final Keynote was Patrick Lussier who, for Kieran, delivered the highlight
of the conference. He discussed his meta-analysis of trends in sexual offending
reconviction data across 80 years. He illustrated how public policy and public
attitudes where at odds with evidence on sexual offending rates and
reconviction, asking the question of what was really causing the downturn in
reconviction rates across recent decades. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The
conference had pre-con workshops that covered everything topics such as risk
assessment, prevention, treatment, reintegration, pornography, and sex
education. There was also a full array for workshops, parallel sessions, and
special interest sessions. Among the more remarkable
it-could-only-happen-at-ATSA experiences was a workshop by Tony Beech, David
Thornton, and Mike Miner. These experts discussed sexual disorders in DSM-5,
with the highlight being a fascinating Q&A at the end involving Ray Knight,
who also has a long history of involvement in this area as well and who has
collaborated on occasion with the others. To have several of the leading
experts in the world (and across our field’s history) engaged in such lively
dialog drove home what a unique experience our conference can be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While some
of the format of ATSA may have changed in 2023 its welcoming attitude and
commitment to evidence-based practice and professional engagement has not. It
was a marvelous accomplishment by many, many people, not least the attendees
themselves. The conference was a success, and now it’s on to ATSA 2024 in San
Antonio from the 16<sup>th</sup> -18<sup>th</sup> of October!<o:p></o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-85582798392142737692023-09-22T05:26:00.003-04:002023-09-22T05:26:39.727-04:00The Story of Scheherazade: A Fable for JwSO Therapists of Transformation through Care and Conversation (part 3 of 3)<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">By </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Norbert
Ralph, PhD, MPH,</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Private practice, San Leandro, CA</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Editor’s Note: Please
click on the links for <a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2023/07/the-story-of-scheherazade-fable-for.html">part
1</a> and <a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2023/08/the-story-of-scheherazade-fable-for.html">part
2</a>)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the third
part of a three-part blog about the Fable of Scheherazade, the central figure
and storyteller in "The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night" from
classic Persian literature (Burton, 1885). The second part identified four
therapeutic factors in the fable that parallel the work of JwSO therapists.
This third part identifies additional factors and also cautions regarding
overidentification with mythic heroism.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Relapse Awareness:
For a thousand nights, Scheherazade faced the possibility that the King would
"relapse" and not only kill her but continue killing other women.
Presumably, this possibility would not be absent from her consciousness for a
day. Likewise, the JwSO adolescent, especially those treated in the community,
also has the possibility every day of committing some act of sexual aggression.
JwSO therapy every week is done with awareness that the harmful behavior may
recur and the importance of taking appropriate measures to prevent it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Curriculum and
Fidelity: Scheherazade had a series of stories, which is a lesson plan or
curriculum to last a thousand nights, which was presumably implemented with
fidelity. The fable notes that she had committed to memory 1000 stories
regarding past kingdoms and adventures. Baglivio and colleagues (Baglivio,
Wolff, Jackowski, et al., 2018) identified factors contributing to successful
outcomes for residential and secure JwSO programs. Some of the factors
promoting therapeutic outcomes included whether there was a structured,
manualized curriculum administered with fidelity. This would contrast with an
unstructured open-ended therapy relationship or a curriculum that was not
faithfully implemented. A parallel between the story of Scheherazade and the
work of effective JwSO therapists is a structured and faithfully implemented
therapeutic curriculum. In working with this population while having a
prosocial therapeutic relationship is necessary it is not sufficient. It also
involves teaching knowledge, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and
practicing new behaviors both in therapy and outside, and critically reviewing
results. Deficits in knowledge and skill areas may contribute to problematic
sexual behaviors. In this respect, therapy is like learning Spanish. You have
to learn information and practice skills, not just have a positive relationship
with the teacher.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Termination and
Self-Regulation: At some point, the JwSO therapist, like Scheherazade,
expresses the faith that the youth can lead a prosocial life without a lifetime
label or controls by terminating therapy. Scheherazade, at the end of 1000
nights of storytelling, told the King she had no more stories to tell. The
implicit message was that the support of the storytelling or therapy she was
doing was not now necessary because of the skills and transformation of the
King. While starting therapy was a profound act of optimism, also stopping and
saying it is no longer needed, also represents an optimistic act but one that
is realistic based on the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Presumably,
Scheherazade saw termination of therapy as a necessary part of the prosocial
transformation of the King. Termination of the youth in therapy gives the
message to the youth, the family, the courts, and the community that the youth
is ready to construct their prosocial life. Taking responsibility for a
prosocial life can be viewed as the last necessary step in treatment and that
additional controls or management like sex offender registry or prolonged
probation may not only be not helpful but counterproductive.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Discussion:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lessons from this
fable may be that there are commonalities across centuries and cultures
regarding how people view the possibility of prosocial transformations of
someone who has harmed others. The myth of Scheherazade was created in the
ninth century with the premise that you could transform someone who had done
harm to others by a conversation, relationship, and combination of skills. In
that fable, the caring conversation not only promoted the prosocial
transformation of the King but also impacted the Kingdom and promoted public
safety and fear of ongoing evil. This is similar to the goal of the JwSO
therapist who intends to promote the prosocial development of the youth and
also public safety.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most myths not
only are parables to teach moral lessons about dealing with life challenges but
maybe cautionary tales. Over-identification with the idea of acting heroically
could lead to unwise optimism that would result in greater harm. The therapist
can become so identified with heroic goals that they may ignore the dangers and
negative possibilities. Joseph Wheelwright (1971), a Jungian analyst and
teacher in the Bay Area, talked about how therapists should be cautious about
"channeling" mythic images, such as the White Knight riding in to
save others. The therapist who over-identifies with the hero's quest, and
ignores realities, may end up like Don Quixote, in folly and misadventure, and
worse, tragedy.</span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-84257626742140076922023-09-15T06:54:00.005-04:002023-09-15T06:54:56.373-04:00Pornography and age verification<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">By <b>David S.
Prescott, LICSW</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The US State of Louisiana </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/08/08/age-law-online-porn-00110148"><span style="color: #dca10d; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">passed a law in
2022</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> requiring users of
pornography websites to upload state-issued identification materials to prove
that they are 18 years old or older. Pornhub elected not to conduct further
business in that state. More recently, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.tpr.org/technology-entrepreneurship/2023-08-11/pornhub-sues-texas-over-new-law-requiring-age-verification"><span style="color: #dca10d; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Texas adopted a
similar approach</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">. The media attention
has been eye-opening. Much of the coverage has noted that only a few
pornography devotees have spoken out against these laws, although there have
been some discussions of the free-speech implications.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">From the outset, Pornhub and other websites that provide
easy access to free pornography are not sympathetic players on the world’s
stage; not many would rue their downfall. In the past, Pornhub has been the
subject of investigations into child sexual abuse imagery and videos shared
against the will of participants in them. It is understandable that these laws
have met with enthusiasm. A concern remains, however: Are these laws really as
effective as we would like to believe? What’s missing?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Virtually all professionals in our field are strongly
aligned with not exposing children to sexually explicit materials. Speaking
personally as a father, when my own children were growing up, I made
considerable efforts to keep them safe from online risks; my heart goes out to
parents today. We are so far removed from my generation’s occasional brush
sexually explicit materials.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The articles prompt questions:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">How will they keep <b>all</b> porn sites from operating
in these states. There’s a lot of those websites out there, including related
enterprises like OnlyFans, etc. There will be a number of legal issues involved
over and above the usual free-speech arguments. It seems that Pornhub is also
hiring lawyers and experts for future litigation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Also, there is so much sexually explicit material in
social media (one app actually advertises that it introduces strangers to one
another), it’s reasonable to wonder about the intellectual honesty and
long-term effectiveness of these laws. Pornhub will go elsewhere, but the
issues will not. Much of the material will simply find another host. Are these
laws closer to a bandage than a cure? Are our lawmakers doing the best that
they can?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Further, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and similar end
runs around technology allow users to mask their location. One implication of
these technological loopholes is that while these laws may appear to restrict
access, the question remains as to how well they actually protect children. Will
we ignore the responsibility of adults to be aware of their children’s online
activity? To what extent do these laws create a false sense of security? Will
some kids simply borrow their parents’ ID?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">There is a strangely amusing quality to the
restriction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not just any
verification process, it’s uploading a government-issued ID… to a porn website!
Anyone should think twice before uploading any government-issued ID anywhere,
even to a governmental entity! The risks for identity theft are simply too
great. Any reasonable person would be wondering who is monitoring my activity, even
as we know that websites such as Facebook, Amazon, and numerous government
agencies already possess frightening amounts of personal information. Who is
storing this photo ID? Further, many government agencies actually discourage
sharing government-issued identification online.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Given some recent activities, such as one state’s
legislature’s subpoena of the medical records of transgender patients seen at a
hospital, one has to wonder where all of this is headed. What sorts of
over-reach into people’s private lives may result, including in the name of
child safety? It’s not clear that there are any answers at this time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Finally, if it’s really about the best interests of kids,
perhaps legislatures should take other measures as well, such as funding abuse prevention,
boosting child welfare agencies, improving education funding, ensuring the
wellbeing of people who have abused, and making sure kids in their state have
enough to eat.</span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-66889853301668061442023-09-08T04:11:00.007-04:002023-09-08T04:11:35.890-04:00A review of the International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders (IATSO) conference 2023<p> <span style="text-align: center;">B<b>y Kieran McCartan,
PhD, Kasia Uzieblo, PhD, and David S. Prescott, LICSW</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Apparently, it’s never too late to try new things! Or so
they say. At least in Kieran’s and Kasia’s case, this is true. For the first
time, they both attended the IATSO annual conference. David is an older hand at
this and was a keynote speaker. Last week saw the 17<sup>th</sup> bi-annual
IATSO conference, which took place in Trondheim, Norway. IATSO has been affiliated
with ATSA for many years, and their conference is one of the big 5 conferences
that focus on the prevention, rehabilitation, and integration back into the
community of people convicted of sexual crimes (with the other four being NOTA,
ATSA, NL-ATSA, and ANZATSA). Despite the common focus concerning sexual
violence, we experience time and time again that each conference has its own
accents, brings different insights, and other opportunities to get acquainted
with colleagues as not every expert can attend the big 5. The entire experience made us more enthusiastic about attending ATSA in a few weeks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year the IATSO conference had well over 100 papers across 3 days of keynotes, pre-conference workshops, and parallel sessions with
over 400 attendees from no less than 20 countries, including Greenland. The
range of choice in the parallel sessions was rich. It included talks on – among
others – desistance, risk management, trauma-informed practice, compassion in
treatment, staff development, risk assessment, and public and professional perceptions.
The conference focused on all forms of sexual abuse (including child abuse,
rape, multiple preparator abuse, online sexual abuse, sibling sexual abuse, and
incels) relating to an array of characteristics (incl. gender, race, learning
difficulties, neurodiversity, and age); there was a topic or area for all
researchers and/or academics. The sessions also had various angles: some
speakers shared their most recent research results, while others delved deeper
into specific practices and cases. This way, the participants were offered a
diverse mix of science and practice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was a wide range of engaging pre-conference
workshops. Several workshops were provided by well-known ATSA, NOTA and ANZATSA
speakers such as Liam Marshall, Jayson Ware, Carol Carson, Mark Olver, Jennifer
Allotey, Keira Stockdale, David Prescott, Brian Judd, and Maaike Helmus. But
local experts (i.e., Svein <span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Ø</span>verland) from Norway were also given a
platform. This approach was the common thread throughout the conference:
local professionals and academics were given ample opportunities to share their
clinical experiences and scientific insights with the public. This way, the
participants not only got acquainted with the rich
Norwegian culture, food, music, and nature before, during and/or after the
conference, but they also gained insights into local practices and experiences regarding
efforts to end sexual violence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The keynotes also presented a mix of national and
international speakers, with a strong focus on Norwegian policy and practice over
the years from Knut Hemstad, who started the conference, Oddfrid Skope Tennfjord, talking about working with young people who have committed harmful sexual
behaviour and presenting the tool they developed to facilitate sexual education
in schools. Anja Kruse (ending the conference) talking about the role of
trauma and harm, partly caused by how society and justice treated them, in the
lives of men who have sexually offended. The other 4 keynotes where a mix of
Canada, USA and UK speakers with Liam Marshall talking about effective
treatment practices, Keira Stockdale talking about Offence Analogue and offence
replacement behaviours, Mark Olver talking about the role and relevance of
protective factors in risk assessment and risk management, Simon Hackett
talking about harmful sexual behaviour in young people, and David Prescott
talking about reflective professional development and treatment effectiveness.
Although at first glance the 7 keynotes seem quite dispirit, in fact they were not,
they all talked off compassion, service user engagement, desistence, and
professional reflection and engagement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">IATSO was a great, engaging, and intriguing professional conference that enforced the international aspects of working in sexual abuse prevention and response. Although it was the first time
that Kieran and Kasia attended, and like David, it won’t be his last. For those
interested: the next IATSO conference is scheduled for August 26-29, 2025, and
will take place in Pozna<em><span style="color: #5f6368; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">ń</span></em>, Poland. All
information and updates can be found on their website: <a href="https://www.iatso.org/">https://www.iatso.org</a> . <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-29835627083639890482023-08-30T09:17:00.001-04:002023-08-30T09:17:49.211-04:00The Story of Scheherazade: A Fable for JwSO Therapists of Transformation through Care and Conversation (part 2 of 3)<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">By </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Norbert Ralph, PhD, MPH</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">, Private practice, San Leandro, CA</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is the second
part of a three-part blog </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(</span><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">link
to part 1<a href="https://blog.atsa.com/2023/07/the-story-of-scheherazade-fable-for.html">
here</a></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> about the Fable of Scheherazade, the central figure
and storyteller in "The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night" from
classic Persian literature (Burton, 1885). This second part explores if the
myth gives any clues to how Scheherazade transformed the King and stopped his
evil actions that parallel the work of JwSO therapists? Several factors can be
hypothesized using the lens of present psychotherapeutic practices.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Knowledge and
Skill: Scheherazade's faith that she could transform the King is one of
mythology's great fables of selflessness and optimism regarding prosocial
possibilities in others. Scheherazade, like the JwSO therapist, however, did
not go into such a struggle with faith alone. The fable notes she was a
beautiful and learned woman who was highly educated. The JwSO therapist
approaches their task likewise, well-prepared with a formidable set of best
practices and evidence-based methods.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Holding
Environment: Winnicott (1960) used the term "holding environment,"
which has been used to describe the setting and relationship that permits the
patient to experience safety and facilitates psychotherapeutic work.
Scheherazade, like the JwSO therapist, created a safe setting which put
implicit limits on the King's harmful behavior but without coercion and
encouraged prosocial problem-solving in the context of caring conversation. It
created an environment where not only the King but Scheherazade and implicitly
the Kingdom were safe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Corrective
Interpersonal Relationships: Alexander and French discussed a therapeutic
factor, the "corrective emotional experience" (Alexander &
French, 1946). This referred to the idea that individuals bring into therapy
dysfunctional and self-fulfilling behaviors and narratives regarding relationships.
Therapy itself can provide corrective new experiences in relationships that can
become a template for the patient for more positive future relationships. The
King's narrative that women were unfaithful and selfish and deserve to be
killed was contraindicated by Scheherazade's behavior daily for a thousand
nights. Each day she survived meant one less woman killed at the risk of her
own life and affirmed her belief that the King could be transformed. Like
Scheherazade, the JwSO therapist's optimism about a prosocial future for the
youth along with relevant knowledge and skills can become self-fulfilling when
others doubt such an outcome.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Patient Autonomy
and Motivational Interviewing: Scheherazade, like the JwSO therapist, respected
the autonomy and dignity of her client, the King, to find his own reasons for
change. For a thousand nights, at the end of each story, Scheherazade gave the
King a choice of what he wanted to do. The choice to continue a prosocial
dialogue was the King's alone. Similarly, the therapist cannot "make"
the JwSO youth pursue a prosocial dialogue in therapy but must give the youth
the autonomy, with guidance, to find their motivation. Coercive therapy is a
contradiction and an impossible idea.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prosocial
Parables: Scheherazade's stories were prosocial parables that provided
information and ideas about how people could exemplify virtuous behavior,
overcoming challenges, and lead more prosocial lives. Likewise, the JwSO
therapist may use stories or parables as a way to teach the youth prosocial
models regarding relationships and consider one more prosocial perspective or
behavior to better obtain the goods of life and create a prosocial lifestyle.
This was exactly the technique that Hamlet used with the play when he said,
"The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King"
(Shakespeare, 1603).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The third part of
this blog will be published shortly will continue the discussion of look at the
therapeutic aspects described in the fable through the lens of present psychotherapeutic
practices. It will also discuss the therapist's identification with heroic
roles while being a source of possible strength can also create
vulnerabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-30135756682878178122023-08-18T02:34:00.014-04:002023-08-18T02:40:17.836-04:00How the Online and Offline Worlds are Intertwined<p> <span style="text-align: center;">By<b> Kieran McCartan, PhD, Kasia Uzieblo, PhD, </b>and </span><b style="text-align: center;">David Prescott, LICSW</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">There is ongoing debate in many
countries about the online grooming of children for abuse and sexual
exploitation. The debate in the UK currently involves the </span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a-guide-to-the-online-safety-bill">online
safety bill</a><u>, </u>which is <span lang="EN-US">making its way through the House of Parliament. Debates regarding
how best to protect children are not new, and although it is an important topic,
it is only part of a broader question. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Beyond
efforts to end grooming are questions about online safeguarding, corporate
responsibility, and who polices the internet. Unfortunately, not many
governments are clamoring to deal with these issues; there are many divergent special-interest
groups, ideologies, and vested interests. There are also legitimate questions
about the limits of privacy and free speech. We often hear that an attack on
the internet is an attack on free speech and that by limiting online behaviors
we are limiting free speech and creating a dystopian, big-brother state. One
often-unspoken perspective in this is the need to consider the crossover
between online and offline social harms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">This week
the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (<b><a href="https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2023/2023-08-14-82-rise-in-online-grooming-crimes-against-children-in-the-last-5-years/">NSPCC</a>)</b>
reported that children were at more at risk for online grooming than ever
before (an increase of 82% in 5 years) They further reported that there have
been increased levels of reporting alongside a need for more safeguarding.
Although it is true that there is more reporting, recording, and observing of
socially inappropriate behavior online (including but not restricted to sexually
exploitative behavior) we need to keep in mind that there are a range of
explanations for this beyond the inappropriate behavior itself. For example,
there is better detection, more confidence in reporting, more police and
justice reaction, and better-informed communities responding to it. Further, the world after the #metoo movement
has seen a greater acknowledgement of abusive behavior (and calling it out when
it happens) and better responses to it. And yes, there is also more
acknowledgement of online sexual harm; but the question is what do we do about
it? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">In the UK,
the <b><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a-guide-to-the-online-safety-bill">online
safety bill</a></b>, although <b><a href="file:///C:/Users/kf-mccartan/Documents/4%20stage%20socio-ecological.docx">quite
debated</a></b> by this point, wants to hold internet providers and website
owners responsible for content on their platforms and that they could be as
culpable as the people who post on them. There is pushback to this by many who
state that the internet is the last bastion of free speech, and that
protectionism has gone too far. On the other hand, the internet is not the wild
west of older times, and moderating content needn’t be invasive. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">It is
tempting to see these debates as centered exclusively on free speech; there is
no question that this is a central concern. Too often missing, though, are
coordinated efforts by experts from the various professional disciplines that
contribute to the wellbeing of children: Victims’ services, child protective
services experts, researchers who study those who perpetrate online offenses, and
those with expertise in domestic and other forms of interpersonal violence. It
is difficult to imagine how the internet can become safer without these voices
at the table, collaborating with one another, and sharing knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">It is well
known that online context can affect offline behavior, shape attitudes,
influence behavior, and result in abuse. In fact, it’s a two-way street, with
offline behavior also affecting the online world. In many ways, the age-old
distinction between these worlds may no longer serve society well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Further, we
have seen from conversations and research on incels, pornography, abuse, and
violence against women and girls that the online and offline worlds are not
segregated communities. We know from discussion with clients that online and
offline actions and attitudes and impact their decisions to engage, or not
engage in, abusive behavior. This is not to say that everyone is impacted by
the internet and online context in the same way, but clearly the internet and
online content can impact people. Therefore, if something is abusive offline,
should it not be considered the same online as well? A clear example of this is
a campaign from Australia discussing the harm of <b><a href="https://itstimewetalked.com/subscribe-strangulation/">strangulation
pornography</a></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">This blog post
started with the rise of online grooming and is ending with a discussion on the
lived experience of online behavior. One may ask why these two are linked; the
simple answer is the implicit and often-explicit online message that abusive behavior
is acceptable. Our hope is that communities can get a better grasp of what
really happens online, and what the implications are for the most vulnerable
members of society. That requires stepping up and asking hard questions of
ourselves, our communities, and the systems that are involved in them. We need
to see the online world as an extension of the offline world, and vice versa, not
just separate entities. The sooner that we come to terms with the full extent
of abuse and exploitation happening online, the sooner we can do something
about it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">The
question remains as to how we then best meet these challenges. Holding
providers and website owners more responsible may be a necessary move to
motivate them to really do something about the problem, even though it is not
hard to imagine the legal questions that will arise from this. It is
all-important that we continue to have this conversation about our shared responsibility
and that we do not shy away from the complex challenges and issues, whether
about online or offline behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-54688689984725350102023-08-09T10:34:00.001-04:002023-08-09T10:34:35.172-04:00How horrific cases prove the need for prevention<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">By <b>Kieran McCartan, PhD, </b>& <b>David Prescott,
LICSW</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Criminal
justice policy is often written in the wake of high-profile, horrific cases. Living
up to the axiom that “bad cases make for bad laws,” the rationale for
reactionary policymaking, which is often punitive, is that it will act as a
deterrent for would-be offenders and those that have been caught will learn
their lesson. However, this assumes that people make </span><a href="https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/pubs/deterrence.pdf"><span lang="EN-US">rational choices</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> to commit a crime, and that they will change
their behavior based on the consequences of their behavior. Over the years </span><a href="https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-deterrence"><span lang="EN-US">research has taught us</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> that this is not necessarily the case,
and that prevention is often better than deterrence or punishment. When it
comes to discussions of preventing/deterring/treating sexual abuse, this is a tightrope
that we have been walking for years, with prevention making sense with professionals
and policy makers, but the practicalities of it often becoming hard to
implement across society. A </span><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-01/qld-afp-child-abuse-police-investigation-child-care-worker/102672216"><span lang="EN-US">recent case</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> from Australia and the reaction to
it from policymakers suggests that tide is changing and that high-profile cases
do not need top lead to a reactionary, putative response, but rather an
opportunity to learn and add to the case for prevention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Last week,
Australian police charged a former child-care worker with abusing 91 girls over
the course of 15 years, involving 1,623 charges, including 136 counts of rape
and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10. In addition, the
person in question also photographed and recorded most of this abuse, posting
it online through the dark web. The offenses took place between 2007 and 2022,
while the unnamed childcare worker worked across 10 child-care centers, mainly
in Brisbane. The police have identified 91 children, 87 of whom are Australian.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This case
is horrific and highlights abuse over a significant period. It would be easy to
see how this case could lead to a punitive criminal justice response, and yet
his offending was so persistent and thought out that it illustrates what
research tells us about deterrence: That the threat of imprisonment did not
stop him, but the likelihood of being caught might have. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While
holding the person who has committed the abuse to account is of obvious
necessity, we need to do more than that; we need to learn what happened, how it
continued, what (if anything) prevented bystanders from intervening, and then
introduce effective measures for prevention and stopping abuse as early as
possible. The case highlights how there were probably multiple points where
disruption and intervention could have happened. Therefore, those invested in
prevention still need to think more about upskilling communities, improving
knowledge around child sexual abuse, and increase strategic community action,
bystander invention, and empowering appropriate organizations to help. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">One of the Australian
leaders and policymakers that responded to this case was </span><a href="https://nationalcentre.org.au/news/it-will-take-all-of-us-working-together-to-stop-child-sexual-abuse-in-australia-we-must-not-look-away/"><span lang="EN-US">Dr. Leanne Beagley</span></a><span lang="EN-US">. Dr Beagley is the National Centre
for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, which was formed out of the findings of the </span><a href="https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/"><span lang="EN-US">Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses
to Child Sexual Abuse</span></a><span lang="EN-US">.
She has discussed the need for us all to come together to prevent child sexual
abuse and that it is all our responsibilities. Hers is a clear government/policy
voice in favor of child sexual abuse prevention and indicates that the
socio-political tide is changing regarding this. We need to do more to get
political and policymakers on board with the prevention child sexual abuse,
with Australia being the example that we need to evidence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Everyone
wants to deter people from offending, and yet we have yet to implement the
right policies and procedures. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037283511791624881.post-43629058145077074422023-07-31T10:53:00.001-04:002023-07-31T10:53:15.506-04:00The Story of Scheherazade: A Fable for JwSO Therapists of Transformation through Care and Conversation (part 1 of 3) <p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">By </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Norbert
Ralph, PhD, MPH</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">, Private practice, San Leandro, CA</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>Introduction:</u><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Scheherazade is a
character in a fable that can inform the work of therapy with juveniles who
sexually offended (JwSO), what factors may contribute to change, but provides
also a cautionary tale. This blog, like the fable, which is a series of
stories, is told in a series of parts, each hoping to interest the reader to
read more. This is the first part of a three-part blog. Each blog will provide
useful information and when taken as a whole may provide some useful ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>The Fable:</u><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Scheherazade was
the central figure and storyteller in "The Book of the Thousand Nights and
a Night" from classic Persian literature (Burton, 1885). The myth
described a heroic figure who transformed a king who had done monstrous deeds
by the use of care and conversation alone. In the story, a King's wife was
unfaithful to him, which devastated him. The King, in response to the hurt he
experienced, sought to address it by truly monstrous behavior. Every day he
would marry a new virgin and then have her beheaded. He had killed a thousand
women by the time that he met Scheherazade, a beautiful and learned woman who
had mastered philosophy, science, the arts, and poetry. She had committed to
memory 1000 stories regarding past kingdoms and adventures. Against her
father's wishes, Scheherazade volunteered to marry the King, as a way to save
not only the Kingdom but, even more amazingly, also the King. As a farewell
favor, she asked the King if she could read him her final story before she
herself was put to death. The King agreed, and listened to her story with awe
regarding her grace and beauty. The story was halfway through when dawn was
breaking, and she said there was no time to finish the story. So the king
spared her for one day, and she not only finished the story but began a second,
even more exciting tale the next day. Again, she was not able to finish the
story before dawn, and again the King let her live for another day, and so this
continued. At the end of a thousand and one nights, Scheherazade said she had
no more tales to tell. In the process, though, the King had fallen in love with
her, allowed her to live, had three sons, and was made wiser and kinder by her
example of care, bravery, and the stories she told, and he made her his queen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>The Lesson for
JwSO Therapists:</u><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The JwSO therapist
works with a teen who victimized others, often children and other adolescents.
The therapist has to have faith, which to others may seem unreasonable, that
the youth who has done harm to others can be transformed by care and
conversation alone, or at least not recidivate. Like Scheherazade, the JwSO
therapist asserts a radical idea, that not only the youth, but the
"kingdom" will be safer and better because of these efforts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The JwSO
therapist, like Scheherazade, is confronted with a clear "evil" in
the "Kingdom," that is an act of sexual aggression or related crimes
done primarily to minors. The King's evil deed in Scheherazade presumably had a
sexual component to it, in addition to murder. The JwSO youth, like the King,
also had the possibility of continuing the harmful acts. The King's behavior
was a reaction to his feelings of betrayal and hurt and mirrors the situation
many JWSOs whose harmful acting-out behavior is also related to some trauma or
life disruption.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It can be assumed
that the reaction of the kingdom to the King's evil deeds was one of horror but
also fear of future ongoing evil deeds. Likewise, a community's responses to a
JwSO youth's crime are similar, at least in part. Sexual violence not only
violates laws but is a violation of social norms, more so when the victim is a
child.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Scheherazade's
offer to marry the King is the opposite of what would be conventionally
expected, which makes the fable so intriguing that the solution to evil deeds
is caring and conversation. She offers presumably her love, and her life itself
with the almost certain expectation at least from others that she will be
killed. Scheherazade's idea that she can stop the evil and change the evildoer
met with profound disbelief on the part of others, particularly her father.
What a fantastic idea that this would be possible. Similarly, the JwSO
therapist is often challenging conventional expectations that by conversation
alone they can protect public safety, prevent future sexual recidivism, and
assist with the transformation of this youth into a more prosocial person.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The second part of
this blog will be published shortly will look at how Scheherazade transformed
the King using the lens of present psychotherapeutic practices and how this
parallels work with JwSO.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SAJRT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09979090355557632191noreply@blogger.com0