Qualitative review of community treatment with sex offenders: Perspective of the offender and the expert

Despite growing research in the area, there remains much uncertainty about the effectiveness of community-based treatments for sexual offenders. The present study aims to add to the literature by evaluating an existing Sydney-based group community programme in two ways. First, eight prior participants of the programme were interviewed, and themes that emerged were analysed using qualitative methods. The participants discussed their treatment experiences and personal development following treatment. The eight participants discussed what aspects of the programme they found helpful and unhelpful. These areas were then matched with the opinions of four experts on the effectiveness of sex offender treatment. The findings are reviewed with reference to the current literature available and in terms of implications for future treatment. We conclude by providing some suggestions about how to improve community-based sex offender treatment programmes by focusing on motivational processes within treatment.