The critical elements in effective sexual offender treatment

This plenary will discuss four features of treatment that are thought to influence effectiveness: 1. Treatment targets (i.e., criminogenic needs); 2. Techniques for modifying these targets; 3. Style of treatment delivery (i.e., therapeutic alliance, group climate); 4. Therapeutic model (i.e., CBT, psychodynamic, Multi-systemic therapy). Relevant research findings will be referred to in evaluating the contribution of each of these features.

William L. Marshall is currently Director of Rockwood Psychological Services which provides treatment and research for various types of offenders, including sexual offenders. Rockwood provides these services in several Canadian Federal penitentiaries and in a centre for mentally disordered offenders as well as for juvenile offenders in various settings. Rockwood also provides therapist trainings in many countries. Bill has over 380 publications including 18 books, the latest of which (Marshall, Marshall, Serran & O'Brien 2011 "A strength-based approach to the treatment of sexual offenders" American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.) won the "Book of the Year" award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research. Bill is (or has been) on the Editorial Boards of 17 international journals and was in 2003 elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada for his contributions to science. In 2006, Bill was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to making society safer both nationally and internationally. This is the highest honor a Canadian citizen can receive.