FMDT for Sexual Offending Youth

Abstract

Sexually offending by children or against children has a profound impact on victims, families, and communities. What’s more, adolescent sexual offenders tend to be criminalized, even when there is a likelihood that behavior, in particular nonviolent and experimental types, will not extend into adulthood. In these cases psychotherapy interventions are far more likely to produce positive and cost-effective results. Several research studies have proven that family-based MDT is such a promising approach and the special considerations to correctly assess and treat the sexually offending adolescent will be discussed. It is particularly important to note that one- fi fth of rapes and one-half of child molestation cases in the United States are report- edly committed by children and adolescents, and when considered in the context that these adolescents may diversify to other (nonsexual) crimes, or abuse multiple victims, effective and timely treatment is imperative. This requires a special under- standing of the unique etiology and assessment of young sexual offenders, which this chapter endeavors to address.