Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Youth Who Have Sexually Offended: Using Strengths and Rapport to Engage Families in Treatment

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To address the problem of sexual offenses perpetrated by youth, a recognized treatment framework, risk, need, and responsivity delivers appropriate services according to youths’ relative risk level. Service programs espousing this framework intermittently integrate families. Little is known about how families become engaged in services, and research has yet to comprehensively identify family protective factors. Recognizing family engagement as an avenue by which risk can be mitigated, our qualitative study interviews providers throughout one western state (N = 19) on family engagement strategies. Using rigorous data collection and analyses methods, the results revealed that providers engage families through building rapport and a strength-based approach. Service engagement implications and study limitations are noted.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2003). The psychology of criminal conduct (3rd ed.). Cincinnati: Anderson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). Rehabilitating criminal justice policy and practice. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 16(1), 39–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., Bonta, J., & Hoge, R. D. (1990). Classification for effective rehabilitation: Rediscovering psychology. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 17, 19–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., Bonta, J., & Wormith, J. S. (2011). The risk–need–responsivity (RNR) model: Does adding the good lives model contribute to effective crime prevention? Criminal Justice and Behavior, 38(7), 735–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, A. J., Tabacoff, R., Tornusciolo, G., & Eisenstadt, M. (2003). Family secrecy: A comparative study of juvenile sex offenders and youth with conduct disorders. Family Process, 42(1), 105–116.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barbaree, H. E., & Langton, C. M. (2006). The effects of child sexual abuse and family environment. In H. E. Barbaree & W. L. Marshall (Eds.), The juvenile sex offender (2nd ed., pp. 58–76). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, J. V., & Hicks, S. J. (2003). Juvenile sexual offenders: Characteristics, interventions, and policy issues. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 989(1), 397–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boeije, H. (2002). A purposeful approach to the constant comparative method in the analysis of qualitative interviews. Quality & Quantity, 36, 391–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonta, J., & Andrews, D. A. (2007). Risk-need-responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation, 6, 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourke, M. L., & Donohue, B. (1996). Assessment and treatment of juvenile sex offenders: An empirical review. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 5(1), 47–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bove, S., & Rizzi, M. (2009). Listening to intuition: Reflections on unconscious processes in the therapeutic relationship. Transactional Analysis Journal, 39(1), 39–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyatzis, R. E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremer, J. F. (1998). Challenges in the assessment and treatment of sexually abusive adolescents. The Irish Journal of Psychology, 19(1), 82–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, M., & Brandes, B. J. (2011). Enhancing treatment outcomes for male adolescents with sexual behavior problems: Interactions and interventions. Journal of Family Violence, 26(5), 387–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornille, T. A., Meyer, A. S., Mullis, A. K., Mullis, R. L., & Boroto, D. (2008). The family outreach model: Tools for engaging and working with families in distress. Journal of Family Social Work, 11(2), 185–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, P. B., & Henggeler, S. W. (1999). Engaging multi problem families in treatment: Lessons learned throughout the development of multisystemic therapy. Family Process, 38(3), 265–281.

  • DeFrain, J., & Asay, S. M. (2007). Strong families around the world: An introduction to the family strengths perspective. Marriage and Family Review, 41(1–2), 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiGiorgio-Miller, J. (1994). Clinical techniques in the treatment of juvenile sex offenders. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 21(1/2), 117–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duane, Y., & Morrison, T. (2004). Families of young people who sexually abuse: Characteristics, context, and considerations. In G. O’Reilly, A. Carr, & W. L. Marshall (Eds.), The handbook of clinical intervention with young people who sexually abuse (pp. 103–128). New York: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Efta-Breitbach, J., & Freeman, K. A. (2004). Treatment of juveniles who sexually offend: An overview. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13(3/4), 125–138.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Etgar, T., & Shulstain-Elrom, H. (2009). A combined therapy model (individual and family) for children with sexual behavior problems. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 53(5), 574–595.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flaskas, C. (1997). Engagement and the therapeutic relationship in systemic therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 19(3), 263–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geary, J., Lambie, I., & Seymour, F. (2011). Consumer perspectives of New Zealand community treatment programmes for sexually abusive youth. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 17(2), 181–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan, R. (2001). Promoting resilience: A resource guide on working with children in the care system. London: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hempel, I., Buck, N., Cima, M., & Van Marle, H. (2013). Review of risk assessment instruments for juvenile sex offenders: What is next? International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 57(2), 208–228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J., & Longo, R. E. (2004). Relapse prevention with juvenile sexual abusers: A holistic and integrated approach. In G. O’Reilly, W. L. Marshall, A. Carr, & R. C. Beckett (Eds.), The handbook of clinical intervention with young people who sexually abuse. Hove: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karver, M., Shirk, S., Handelsman, J. B., Fields, S., Crisp, H., Gudmundsen, G., et al. (2008). Relationship process in youth psychotherapy: Measuring alliance, alliance-building behaviors, and client involvement. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 16(1), 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimonis, E. R., Fanniff, A., Borum, R., & Elliott, K. (2011). Clinician’s perceptions of indicators of amenability to sex offender-specific treatment in juveniles. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 23(2), 193–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D. J., Noel, C., Thomas, G., & Torres, E. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adolescents who sexually offend and their families: Individual and family applications in a collaborative outpatient program. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13(3/4), 157–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambie, I., & McCarthy, J. (2004). Interviewing strategies with sexually abusive youth. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13(3/4), 107–123.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laursen, E. K., & Birmingham, S. M. (2003). Caring relationships as a protective factor for at risk youth: An ethnographic study. Families in Society, 84(2), 240–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Letourneau, E., & Borduin, C. M. (2008). The effective treatment of juveniles who sexually offend: An ethical imperative. Ethics and Behavior, 18(2/3), 286–306.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Letourneau, E. J., Henggeler, S. W., Borduin, C. M., Schewe, P. A., McCart, M. R., Chapman, J. E., et al. (2009). Multisystemic therapy for juvenile sex offenders: 1-year results from a randomized effectiveness trial. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(1), 89–102.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leversee, T., & Powell, K. M. (2012). Beyond risk management to a more holistic model for treating sexually abusive youth. In B. Schwartz (Ed.), The sex offender: Current trends in policy and treatment practice (Vol. 7, pp. 1–32). Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. W., & Derzon, J. H. (1998). Predictors of violent or serious delinquency in adolescence and earlyadulthood: A synthesis of longitudinal research. In R. Loeber & D. P. Farrington (Eds.), Serious and violent juvenile offenders: Risk factors and successful interventions (pp. 86–105). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Longo, R. E. (2003). Emerging issues, policy changes, and the future of treating children with sexual behavior problems. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 989(1), 502–514.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez, R., Flores, J., & Rosenfeld, B. (2007). Validity of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II) in a sample of urban minority youth. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34(10), 1284–1295.

    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, VT: Safer Society Press.

  • McMackin, R. A., Leisen, M. B., Cusack, J. F., LaFratta, J., & Litwin, P. (2002). The relationship of trauma exposure to sex offending behavior among male juvenile offenders. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 11(2), 25–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metzner, J. L., Humphreys, S., & Ryan, G. (2009). Juveniles who sexually offend: Psychosocial intervention and treatment. In F. M. Saleh, A. J. Grudzinskas, J. M. Bradford, & D. J. Brodsky (Eds.), Sex offenders: Identification, risk assessment, treatment, and legal issues (pp. 241–261). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahum, D., & Brewer, M. M. (2004). Multi-family group therapy for sexually abusive youth. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13(3/4), 215–243.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • NASW (The National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics. (1999). Retrieved on September 12, 2013 from: http://ncsss.cua.edu/Docs/NASWCodeofEthics.pdf.

  • Nickerson, A. B., Salamone, F. J., Brooks, J. L., & Colby, S. A. (2004). Promising approaches to engaging families and building strengths in residential treatment. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 22(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Training and Technical Assistance Center: The National Center for Youth in Custody. (2012). Engaging with families in the justice system: An overview from the national, state, and local perspective. Webinar retrieved December 14, 2012 from https://ojjdptta.webex.com/ojjdptta/onstage/g.php?d=748536951&t=a.

  • Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: U. S. Department of Justice. (2013). Statistical briefing book. From: www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb. Retrieved on September 10, 2013.

  • Osher, T. (2006). What families think of the juvenile justice system: Findings from the OJJDP multi-state study. Focal Point Research, Policy, and Practice in Children’s Mental Health, 20(2), 20–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Padget, D. K. & Henwood, B. F. (2012). Qualitative and mixed methods: Current approaches. School of Social Work, University of Denver, May 9, 2012.

  • Padgett, D. K. (2008). Qualitative methods in social work research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, K. M. (2010). Therapeutic relationships and the process of change. In G. Ryan, T. Leversee, & S. Lane (Eds.), Juvenile sex offending: Causes, consequences, and correction (3rd ed., pp. 253–262). New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, K. M. (2011). Working effectively with at-risk youth: A strengths-based approach. In M. Calder (Ed.), Contemporary practice with young people who sexually abuse: Evidence-based developments (pp. 69–91). Holyoke, MA: NEARI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rich, P., & Longo, R. E. (2003). Juvenile sexual offenders: Understanding, assessing, and rehabilitating. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Righthand, S., & Welch, C. (2004). Characteristics of youth who sexually offend. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13(3), 15–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ronis, S. T., & Borduin, C. M. (2007). Individual, family, peer, and academic characteristics of male juvenile sexual offenders. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35(2), 153–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, G. (2010). The families of sexually abusive youth. In G. Ryan, T. Leversee, & S. Lane (Eds.), Juvenile sexual offending: Causes consequences and correction (3rd ed., pp. 147–164). New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, G., Leversee, T., & Lane, S. (2010). Integrating theory and method: Goal oriented treatment. In G. Ryan, T. Leversee, & S. Lane (Eds.), Juvenile sexual offending: Causes consequences and correction (3rd ed., pp. 263–310). New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saldana, J. (2009). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schladale, J. (2006). Family matters: The importance of engaging families in treatment with youth who have caused sexual harm. In R. Longo & D. Prescott (Eds.), Current perspective: Working with sexually aggressive youth and youth with sexual behavior problems (pp. 493–514). Holyoke, MA: NEARI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seto, M. S., & 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(4), 526–575.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shirk, S., & Karver, M. (2003). Prediction of treatment outcome from relationship variables in child and adolescent therapy: A metaanalytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 452–464.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smallbone, S. W., Crissman, B., & Rayment-McHugh, S. (2009). Improving therapeutic engagement with adolescent sexual offenders. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 27, 862–877.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spice, A., Viljoen, J. L., Latzman, N. E., Scalora, M. J., & Ullman, D. (2013). Risk and protective factors for recidivism among juveniles who have offended sexually. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 25(4), 347–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, J. (2004). Family intervention with young people with sexually abusive behavior. In G. O’Reilly, A. Carr, & W. L. Marshall (Eds.), The handbook of clinical intervention with young people who sexually abuse (pp. 315–342). New York: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, J. (2010). Family therapy: A critical component in treatment of sexually abusive youth. In G. Ryan, T. Leversee, & S. Lane (Eds.), Juvenile sexual offending: Causes consequences and correction (3rd ed., pp. 357–379). New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanklyn, S. G., Ward, A. K., Cormier, N. S., Day, D. M., & Newman, J. E. (2012). Can we distinguish juvenile violent sex offenders, violent non-sex offenders, and versatile sex offenders based on childhood risk factors? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(11), 2128–2143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, T., Melser, J., & Yates, P. M. (2007). Reconstructing the risk–need–responsivity model: A theoretical elaboration and evaluation. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 12(2), 208–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worley, K. B., Church, J. K., & Clemmons, J. C. (2011). Parents of adolescents who have committed sexual offenses: Characteristics, challenges, and interventions. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(3), 433–448.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Worling, J. R., & Curwen, T. (2000). Adolescent sexual offender recidivism: Success of specialized treatment and implications for risk prediction. Child Abuse and Neglect, 24, 965–982.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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 

  • Yoder, J. (2014). Service approaches for youth who commit sexual crimes: A call for family-oriented models [Special Issue, State of the evidence in juvenile justice]. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 11(4), 360–372.

  • Yoder, J., & Brown, S. (2014). Challenges facing families of sexually abusive youth: What prevents service engagement? Victims & Offenders: An International Journal of Evidence-based Research, Policy, and Practice. doi:10.1080/15564886.2013.875969.

  • Zankman, S., & Bonomo, J. (2004). Working with Parents to Reduce Juvenile Sex Offender Recidivism. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 13(3/4), 139–156.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Jamie Yoder & Donna Ruch

Authors
  1. Jamie Yoder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Donna Ruch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamie Yoder.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yoder, J., Ruch, D. Youth Who Have Sexually Offended: Using Strengths and Rapport to Engage Families in Treatment. J Child Fam Stud 24, 2521–2531 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0054-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0054-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation