Addressing Denial

Type of content
Chapters
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2014
Authors
Harkins L
ware, jayson
Abstract

The issue of how to deal with denial of offenses has presented longstanding challenges for practitioners working with sex offenders. Historically, this was viewed as an obstacle to treatment that needed to be targeted. More recently, denial has been recognized as an understandable reaction to being convicted of a sexual offense and thus, efforts are made to work with individuals in denial in different ways. This chapter uses the case study method to present Brian, a man convicted of sexually assaulting an unknown 12-year-old girl in a park. Brian reported that he was not in the vicinity of the park the evening when the sexual assault took place and that he was "being set up". Work with Brian focused first on encouraging treatment involvement and then to attempting to engage him sufficiently to allow work on all of the factors assessed to relate to his ongoing risk of committing further such sexual crimes. The approach used was that developed by Marshall, Thornton, Marshall, Fernandez and Mann (2001) in which there is no attempt to overcome the denial but instead the focus is on reducing the likelihood of further allegations. This engaged him into treatment. This approach was followed until Brian was ready to accept responsibility of his own accord. At that stage, it was decided to positively challenge the denial. The impact of this approach and recommendations for working effectively with offenders in denial are explored.

Description
Citation
Ware J,Harkins L (2014). Addressing Denial. In Sex Offender Treatment: A Case Study Approach to Issues and Interventions.: 305-326. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords
Denial, Categorical Denial, Acceptance of Responsibility, Denier Treatment
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::44 - Human society::4402 - Criminology::440202 - Correctional theory, offender treatment and rehabilitation
Fields of Research::52 - Psychology
Rights
Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved