A Group Treatment for men with Learning Disability who Sexually Offend

Background This report describes a group intervention for men with an intellectual disability who have sexually offended or abused others. The group was in response to referrals to a psychology department. The majority of these individuals had not been subject to legal proceedings. Methods A number of assessments were conducted prior to the group, immediately after the group and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Results Attitudes consistent with offending reduced after participation for most participants, however, these tended to revert to pre-group levels over time. Locus of control became more external after the group treatment, this was contrary to expectations and results obtained with interventions for individuals without an intellectual disability. Knowledge tended to increase after the group, however, problems with the questionnaire used made interpretation of the results difficult. No further incidents of sexual abuse have been recorded by any of the five group members who completed the group, since the start of the group (a period of 1 year to date). Conclusions This group should be seen as a pilot project. However, further therapeutic work is indicated as is theoretical and questionnaire development.