Results of a treatment programme with incarcerated sexual offenders and their significant others

Members of the family of origin and spouses have been invited to take part in a cognitive-behavioral treatment programme for incarcerated sexual offenders to support the offender. Offenders arranged appointements with their spouses, mothers, fathers and the therapist. A one-year follow-up reveals considerable change in denying and minimisation of responsibility, forcefulness and degree of sexual intrusiveness of both the offenders and the spouses. Both groups showed a better understanding for and a more positive attitude to the offenders' sexuality. Furthermore, both groups showed a significant increase in applying concepts of relapse prevention.