EP90 Workshop 23 - Therapy of Sex Offenders and Their Victims - Cloe Madanes, Lic. Psychol.

Description:

Cloe Madanes will discuss some of the varieties of abuse which can occur in a family, with an emphasis on incest and sexual abuse. A method for dealing with such situations will be presented and illustrated with a videotape.

Educational Objectives:

1. To learn ways to deal with violent and sexual abuse problems
2. To learn a set of therapy stages for sexual abuse problems 

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

Workshop Overview

• Focus on applying therapy to prevent further harm to victims and offenders.

• Emphasized complexity of treating juvenile sex offenders within a family context.

Therapist Training and Institutional Role

• Therapists trained under a county contract to treat juvenile sex offenders.

• An independent diagnostic team evaluates families.

• Developed consistent therapy steps after supervising 85–90 cases with nearly 100% success.

Initial Therapy Steps

• Gather entire family to openly discuss the offense using direct language.

• No secrecy allowed; victimizer carries shame.

• Provide children with materials to express themselves.

Subsequent Therapy Steps

• Offender discusses why the offense was wrong with parental support.

• Address spiritual pain of victim and offender.

• Stay focused on current case even if other abuses surface.

Apology and Reparation

• Offender apologizes on knees; family also expresses repentance.

• Outline future consequences if offense recurs.

• Assign a protector from extended family.

Restoring Love and Safety

• Rebuild mother’s love for offender.

• Establish a protective dynamic between victim and offender.

• Encourage self-forgiveness and doing good deeds.

Adapting to Complex Cases

• Modify approach for father-offender or historic abuse cases.

• Address cultural sensitivity and legal consequences.

• Prepare for family resistance or potential dropouts.

Therapy Dynamics and Case Examples

• Case of a 16-year-old molesting a 9-year-old sister used to illustrate steps.

• Emphasized therapist's role in guiding, supporting, and maintaining emotional safety.

Family Involvement and Resistance

• Encourage extended family participation to break denial and collusion.

• Deal with offender denial by focusing on behavior, not admission.

• Use elders and respected family members to support change.

Therapy Outcomes

• Long-term success with high rehabilitation rates.

• Ongoing support and monitoring crucial to prevent relapse.

Group Therapy

• Teen groups foster peer support and socialization.

• Offenders share offenses and rehabilitation stages.

• Therapists build positive relationships and celebrate progress.

Suicide Prevention

• Give offenders hope through repentance and reparation.

• Avoid institutionalization; keep youth in home environments.

Handling Special Cases

• Bring together families of both offender and victim when possible.

• For ritualistic abuse, involve safe relatives and avoid reconnecting with harmful individuals.

• In cases of denial, proceed with family steps and identify alternate protectors.

Symbolism 

• Use metaphor (e.g., Ruthie representing the mother) to clarify dynamics.