Title: Myths About Sex Offenders - ABC News
Headings: Myths About Sex Offenders
Myths About Sex Offenders
Content: Myth 8 — Treatment for sex offenders is ineffective. Treatment programs can contribute to community safety because those who attend and cooperate with program conditions are less likely to reoffend than those who reject intervention. Different types of offenders typically respond to different treatment methods with varying rates of success. Treatment effectiveness is often related to multiple factors, including: the type of sexual offender (e.g., incest offender or rapist); the treatment model being used; and related interventions involved in probation and parole community supervision. Several studies present optimistic conclusions about the effectiveness of treatment programs that are empirically based, offense-specific, and comprehensive. Research also demonstrates that sex offenders who fail to complete treatment programs are at increased risk for both sexual and general recidivism. Myth 9 — The cost of treating and managing sex offenders in the community is too high and they should always remain behind bars.