Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of specialized treatment on the recidivism of juvenile sex offenders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Published:
Journal of Experimental Criminology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Specialized treatment programs for juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) are commonly used in juvenile justice systems. Despite their popularity, the evidence base for the effectiveness of these specialized programs is limited in both scope and quality. This systematic review and meta-analysis updates previous meta-analyses while focusing on studies of relatively high methodological quality.

Methods

A vigorous literature search guided by explicit inclusion criteria was conducted. Descriptive and statistical information for each eligible study was coded independently by two coders and disagreements resolved by consensus. Odds ratio effect sizes were computed for sexual recidivism and general recidivism outcomes. Mean effect sizes and their heterogeneity were examined with both fixed and random effects meta-analysis.

Results

Only eight eligible studies were located, seven of which were quasi-experiments. The mean effect size for the seven studies reporting sexual recidivism favored treatment but was not statistically significant (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.40, 1.36). The mean effect size for general recidivism was significant and also favored treatment (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.42, 0.81).

Conclusions

Remarkably little methodologically credible research has been conducted on specialized programs for JSOs despite their prevalence. The best available evidence does not support a confident conclusion that they are more effective for reducing sexual recidivism than general treatment as usual in juvenile justice systems. Future research should not only use randomized designs but should also distinguish generalist offenders who are at low risk of sexual recidivism from specialist offenders who are at higher risk of committing future sexual offenses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

* Indicates study included in meta-analysis

  • Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. (2017). Practice guidelines for the assessment, treatment, and intervention with adolescents who have engaged in sexually abusive behavior. Beaverton, OR; Author.

  • Barlow, K. N. (1996). Recidivism rates of level six residential programs for youthful male sex offenders: 1995–1996. Unpublished master’s thesis. Utah State University.

  • Becker, J. V., & Hicks, S. J. (2003). Juvenile sexual offenders: characteristics, interventions, and policy issues. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 989, 397–410. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07321.x.

  • Borduin, C. M., & Schaeffer, C. M. (2001). Multisystemic treatment of juvenile sexual offenders: a progress report. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 13, 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1300/J056v13n03_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Borduin, C. M., Henggeler, S. W., Blake, D. M., & Stein, R. J. (1990). Multisystemic treatment of adolescent sexual offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 34, 105–113. Related Report: Borduin, C. M., Mann, B. J., Cone, L. T., Henggeler, S. W., Fucci, B. R., Blaske, D. M., & Williams, R. A. (1995). Multisystemic treatment of serious juvenile offenders: long-term prevention of criminality and violence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 569-578.

  • Borduin, C. M., Schaeffer, C. M., & Heiblum, N. (2009). A randomized clinical trial of multisystemic therapy with juvenile sexual offenders: effects on youth social ecology and criminal activity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 26–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013035. Related Report: Borduin, C. M., & Dopp, A. R. (2015). Economic impact of multisystemic therapy with juvenile sexual offenders. Journal of Family Psychology, 29, 687-696. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000113. Related Report: Borduin, C. M. & Schaeffer, C. M. (2001). Multisystemic treatment of juvenile offenders: a progress report. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 13, 25-42. https://doi.org/10.1300/J056v13n03_03.

  • Brannon, J. M., & Troyer, R. (1991). Peer group counseling: a normalized residential alternative to the specialized treatment of adolescent sex offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 35, 225–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Byrne, S. M. (1999). Treatment efficacy of a juvenile sexual offender treatment program. (Unpublished masters thesis). Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.

  • Caldwell, M. F. (2016). Quantifying the decline in juvenile sexual recidivism rates. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 22, 414–426. https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000094.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaffin, M. (2008). Our minds are made up—don’t confuse us with the facts: commentary on policies concerning children with sexual behavior problems and juvenile sex offenders. Child Maltreatment, 13, 110–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559508314510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaffin, M., & Bonner, B. (1998). Don’t shoot, we’re your children: have we gone too far in our treatment of adolescent sexual abusers and children with sexual behavior problems? Child Maltreatment, 3, 314–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, H. M., & Schmidt, F. (2000). Long-term follow-up of a community-based treatment program for adolescent sex offenders. Unpublished manuscript.

  • *Daly, K., Bouhours, B., Broadhurst, R., & Loh, N. (2013). Youth sex offending, recidivism and restorative justice: comparing court and conference cases. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 46, 241–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004865812470383. Related Report: Daly, K. (2006). Restorative justice and sexual assault: an archival study of court and conference cases. British Journal of Criminology, 46, 334-356. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azi071.

  • Dwyer, R. G., & Letourneau, E. J. (2011). Juveniles who sexually offend: recommending a treatment program and level of care. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 20, 413–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2011.03.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Gillis, H. L., & Gass, M. A. (2010). Treating juveniles in a sex offender program using adventure-based programming: a matched group design. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 19, 20–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538710903485583.

  • *Guarino-Ghezzi, S., & Kimball, L. M. (1998). Juvenile sex offenders in treatment. Corrections Management Quarterly, 2, 45–54.

  • Gupta, S. K. (2011). Intention-to-treat concept: a review. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 2, 109–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-3485.83221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., & Morton-Bourgon, K. E. (2005). The characteristics of persistent sexual offenders: a meta-analysis of recidivism studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 1154–11163. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.6.1154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., Gordon, A., Harris, A. J. R., Marques, J. K., Murphy, W., Quinsey, V. L., & Seto, M. C. (2002). First report of the collaborative outcome data project on the effectiveness of psychological treatment for sex offenders. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 14, 169–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., Bourgon, G., Helmus, L., & Hodgson, S. (2009). The principals of effective correctional treatment also apply to sexual offenders: a meta-analysis. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36, 865–891.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, A. J., & Socia, K. M. (2016). What’s in a name? Evaluating the effects of the “sex offender” label on public opinions and beliefs. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 28, 660–678. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063214564391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmus, L., Hanson, R. K., Thornton, D., Babchishin, K. M., & Harris, A. (2012). Absolute recidivism rates predicted by STATIC-99R and STATIC-2002R sex offender risk assessment tools vary across samples: a meta-analysis. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39, 1148–1171. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854812443648.

  • Higgins, J. P. T., & Green, S. (eds) (2011). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions Version 5.1.0 [updated March 2011]. The Cochrane Collaboration. Available from www.cochrane-handbook.org.

  • Hurley, S. (2003). Unpublished raw data.

  • Jeffords, C. (2003). Unpublished raw data.

  • Kahn, T. J., & Chambers, H. J. (1991). Assessing reoffense risk with juvenile sex offenders. Child Welfare, 70, 331–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, B., Benekos, P. J., & Merlo, A. V. (2016). Sex offender recidivism revisited: review of recent meta-analyses on the effects of sex offender treatment. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 17, 105–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Lab, S. P., Shields, G., & Schondel, C. (1993). Research note: an evaluation of juvenile sex offender treatment. Crime & Delinquency, 39, 543–553. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128793039004008.

  • *Laing, L., Tolliday, D., Kelk, N., & Law, B. (2014). Recidivism following community based treatment for non-adjudicated young people with sexually abusive behaviors. Sexual Abuse in Australia and New Zealand, 6, 38–47.

  • Letourneau, E. J., & Borduin, C. M. (2008). The effective treatment of juveniles who sexually offend: an ethical imperative. Ethics & Behavior, 18, 286–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508420802066940.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Letourneau, E. J., & Miner, M. H. (2005). Juvenile sex offenders: a case against the legal and clinical status quo. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 17, 293–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. W. (1992). Juvenile delinquency treatment: A meta-analytic inquiry into the variability of effects. In T. D. Cook, H. Cooper, D. S. Cordray, H. Hartmann, L. V. Hedges, R. J. Light, T. A. Louis, & F. Mosteller (Eds.), Meta-analysis for explanation: A casebook (pp. 83–127). New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. W., Howell, J. C., Kelly, M. R., Chapman, G., & Carver, D. (2010). Improving the effectiveness of juvenile justice programs: A new perspective on evidence-based practice. Washington, DC: Center for Juvenile Justice Reform.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lösel, F., & Schmucker, M. (2005). The effectiveness of treatment for sexual offenders: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, 117–146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-004-6466-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, R. J., Cumming, G. F., Burchard, B. L., Zeoli, S., & Ellerby, L. (2010). Current practices and emerging trends in sexual abuser management: the Safer Society 2009 North American Survey. Brandon: The Safer Society Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McTavish, T. H. (1996). Performance audit of the W.J. Maxey Training School. Unpublished report.

  • National Adolescent Perpetrator Network. (1993). Revised report from the National Task Force on Juvenile Sexual Offending. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 44, 1–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oudekerk, B. A., & Morgan, R. E. (2016). Co-offending among adolescents in violent victimizations, 2004–13. Washington DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pullman, L., & Seto, M. C. (2012). Assessment and treatment of adolescent sexual offenders: implications of recent research on generalist versus specialist explanations. Child Abuse & Neglect, 36, 203–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajlic, G., & Gretton, H. M. (2010). An examination of two sexual recidivism risk measures in adolescent offenders: the moderating effect of offender type. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 37, 1066–1085.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, L. A. (1995). Factors related to recidivism among juvenile sex offenders. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Utah.

  • Reitzel, L. R., & Carbonell, J. L. (2006). The effectiveness of sexual offender treatment for juveniles as measured by recidivism: a meta-analysis. Sexual Abuse, 18, 401–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmucker, M., & Lösel, F. (2015). The effects of sexual offender treatment on recidivism: an international meta-analysis of sound quality evaluations. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 11, 597–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-015-9241-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seabloom, W., Seabloom, M. E., Seabloom, E., Barron, R., & Hendrickson, S. (2003). A 14- to 24-year longitudinal study of a comprehensive sexual health model treatment program for adolescent sex offenders: predictors of successful completion and subsequent criminal recidivism. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 47, 468–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X03253849.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seto, M. C., & Lalumiere, M. L. (2010). What is so special about male adolescent sexual offending? A review and test of explanations through meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 526–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen, J. L., Mordell, S., & Beneteau, J. L. (2012). Prediction of adolescent sexual reoffending: a meta-analysis of the J-SOAP-II, ERASOR, J-SORRAT-II, and Static-99. Law and Human Behavior, 36, 423–438. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D., Keller, A., McGarvey, E. L., Wieckowski, E., Pinkerton, R., & Brown, G. L. (2005). Juvenile sex offender re-arrest rates for sexual, violent nonsexual, and property crimes: a 10-year follow-up. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 17, 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11194-005-5061-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, D. F., McGovern, S. K., Poey, E. L., & Otis, K. E. (2004). Treatment effectiveness for male adolescent sexual offenders: a meta-analysis and review. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13, 281–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wieckowski, E., Waite, D., Pinkerton, R., McGarvey, E., & Brown, G. L. (2003). Sex offender treatment in a juvenile correctional setting: program description and nine-year outcome study. Unpublished presentation.

  • Winokur, M. A., Rozen, D., Batchelder, K., & Valentine, D. (2006). Juvenile sexual offender treatment: a systematic review of evidence-based research. Fort Collins: Social Work Research Center, Colorado State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winterdyk, J. (2002). Juvenile justice systems: international perspectives (2nd ed.). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolk, N. L. (2005). Predictors associated with recidivism among juvenile sexual offenders. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Houston.

  • *Worling, J. R., & Curwen, T. (2000). Adolescent sexual offender recidivism: success of specialized treatment and implications for risk prediction. Child Abuse & Neglect, 24, 965–982. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145.2134(00)00147-2. Related Report: Worling, J. R. (1998). Adolescent sexual offender treatment at the SAFE-T program. In W. L. Marshall, Y. M. Fernandez, S. M. Hudson, & T. Ward (Eds.), Sourcebook of treatment programs for sexual offenders (pp. 353-365). New York: Plenum Press. Related Report: Worling, J. R., Littlejohn, A., & Bookalam, D. (2010). 20-year prospective follow-up study of specialized treatment for adolescents who offend sexually. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 28, 46-57. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.912.

  • Worling, J. R., & Langstrom, N. (2006). Risk of sexual recidivism in adolescents who offend sexually: correlates and assessment. In H. E. Barbaree & W. L. Marshall (Eds.), The juvenile sex offender (2nd ed., pp. 219–247). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Gabrielle Chapman and Jill Robinson for their valuable input as well as Jan Morrison for her support throughout the project.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Funding

This research was supported by Grant No. 2010-JF-FX-0607 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peabody Research Institute, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, PMB 181, Nashville, TN, 37203-5721, USA

    Heather Hensman Kettrey & Mark W. Lipsey

Authors
  1. Heather Hensman Kettrey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark W. Lipsey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather Hensman Kettrey.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

This article does not report the results of any research conducted by the authors that involves human participants or animals.

Informed consent

This article does not involve data obtained by the authors from human participants.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kettrey, H.H., Lipsey, M.W. The effects of specialized treatment on the recidivism of juvenile sex offenders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Exp Criminol 14, 361–387 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-018-9329-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-018-9329-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation