Working with individuals who deny responsibility for offending sexually

While most individuals convicted of a sexual crime make excuses for their behavior through omitting or underplaying certain aspects or its consequences, a small number of these individuals will steadfastly continue to deny responsibility. These individuals maintain that they are innocent and have been wrongly accused or convicted and are often released to the community not having participated in treatment. These individuals pose assessment, management, and treatment challenges. Clinicians often describe significant difficulties engaging and working with these individuals. Practitioners also appear to have polarized views about this group of offenders, most notably in terms of whether or not denial equates to an increased risk of recidivism, if deniers can be treated, or even if they should receive treatment at all. This preconference workshop will present a review of the literature on what is known about deniers and present new data about the function of categorical denial. Then, the methods and effectiveness of a range of treatment approaches to overcoming denial will be described. Finally, the description and effectiveness of an approach where denial of having sexually offended is not challenged and instead focuses on empirically identified criminogenic issues will be presented. Workshop participants will be provided a rational for this treatment approach as well as practical assessment, risk assessment, and treatment guidance. This will include use of case studies and examples.