tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2361358365193630538.post7917048369497719257..comments2024-03-20T19:17:02.285-07:00Comments on IN THE NEWS: "Treatment": Backwards and upside down?Karen Franklin, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01032855743077403199noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2361358365193630538.post-9583994544937787212010-07-21T10:27:33.740-07:002010-07-21T10:27:33.740-07:00My crime was child pornography, pictures that were...My crime was child pornography, pictures that were scattered among adult pornography. In my case, there is the assumption of a hands-on offense. <br /><br />Therefore, the courts, the PO department, and my church all believe that I am a bad person… that I must have touched a child. I show them the evidence: Two therapists who say I am not a threat to children, comprehensive psychological tests saying the same thing, two lie detectors tests that indicate no hands on offenses against children. <br /><br />I remember trying to explain to the judge in my court case that I was not a threat to children… he became irate because I was not sorry enough for my crime. I refuse to think of myself as a sex offender… I also will not accept the guilt trip that the establishment puts on me. <br /><br />Most men convicted of sexual offenses want to return to a productive life. It is impossible for most of them so because of the insidious stigma, hysteria that are associated with this crime. They hole up in their apartments, under some bridge or at a shelter… broken men and women who are condemned and not allowed to redeem themselves… where is the Christian forgiveness, the justice that should be on the side of these men.Tusauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07622624917842446501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2361358365193630538.post-28879796058423807872010-07-18T15:34:49.131-07:002010-07-18T15:34:49.131-07:00Very interesting article. It stated that through ...Very interesting article. It stated that through research, two distorted factors were evident in those that would reoffend. One who is tolerant of rape of a child and sexual abuse. And one who identifies with children emotionally. That said I know many offenders that find rape of a child untolerable, even in the prison systems. It is a discusssion that has come up many times and in many different ways. This is a true fact. And this fact alone should be a guide as to who is at high risk to offend. Out of all the Registered offenders on the registry, only a few would be tolerable of child rape, and sexual abuse. There are two very clear facts between a rapist and a child rapist. the rapist dispise the child molesters. Now as crazy as this sounds it is the way it is. I believe this study is onto to something, big.matthewhobbs444https://www.blogger.com/profile/15795880009464958405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2361358365193630538.post-60851657455122540832010-07-17T05:44:19.652-07:002010-07-17T05:44:19.652-07:00Glad to see the current beliefs being challenged. ...Glad to see the current beliefs being challenged. As it now stands, at least with the system and therapists of which I have knowledge, agreeing with the "victim's" version of events is essential. Feeling like a scum-bag is essential. This at least gives food for thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2361358365193630538.post-85997804140771207582010-07-15T14:31:03.743-07:002010-07-15T14:31:03.743-07:00Another point I would like to make as a therapist ...Another point I would like to make as a therapist is that one can be "not responsible" and also not be a 'bad'person. We make a clear distinction between behavior, which can be altered, and character, a much more intractable part of a person's make-up, and something which we never malign. Also, many offenders admit responsibility, and are emotionally congruent when they do so. That makes all the difference in their risk of reoffense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2361358365193630538.post-24282054504830455892010-07-13T16:43:39.895-07:002010-07-13T16:43:39.895-07:00Very interesting. A couple of thoughts:
The artic...Very interesting. A couple of thoughts:<br /><br />The article mentions that perpetrators who openly admit responsibility are more likely to re-offend. That makes sense - the worst offenders are hardened to it, and have no scruples about doing so again, and no problem telling people so. But then the authors have argued for a cause and effect relationship, and suggest that learning to talk openly and take responsibility will provoke reoffending, which I don't see evidence for in this summary of the article. Talking openly at the beginning of therapy may be an indicator of reoffense, but I don't see why it would be a cause of it. <br /><br />The section that addresses preplanned offenses is interesting. In my inexpert opinion, it seems that sexual crimes of opportunity are still rooted in unhealthy thought patterns - a healthy individual won't take advantage of an opportunity. So while I agree with the authors that the degree of preplanning may not be as certain or as important as current treatments portray, it's still important to consider what thought processes led up to the event.<br /><br />The authors' argument appears to be wrapped up in one sentence: "Offenders learn to keep their true thoughts to themselves and parrot the therapist's opinions, promoting cynicism rather than healing." This is certainly true. If the therapist fails to establish a connection with the offender, the therapy can be worse than useless. But this is true of any type of therapy. "Accusing [the patient] of lying and minimizing" doesn't work, but there's a very fine line between that and challenging mental distortions, which are essential to good therapy. I'm glad the authors are asking the therapeutic community to question that line.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03123088409163215102noreply@blogger.com