Assessing Treatment Outcome for Sexual Offenders

The assessment of treatment outcome for sexual offenders is an important concern for correctional, mental health, and child welfare agencies. Improvement in treatment should be assessed by reductions in factors that are associated with sexual offense recidivism. Although the research is generally inconclusive, several areas that have theoretical support as potential risk indicators are denial/minimization, sexual activity, sexual interests, and sexual attitudes. Procedures for assessing these constructs are reviewed, and suggestions are provided for developing new measures.