CSOM Long Version: Section 5 1

Learning Objectives

Identify eleven areas for personal strategy development; and

Develop a plan of action.

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 2

Practical Strategy AreasDesensitization

Maintaining control of interactions

Initial interviewing

Handling denial

Being prepared for what to expect

Managing intrafamilial cases

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 3

Practical Strategy Areas (cont.)

Case work in various settings

Eliciting cooperation

Dealing with lapses

Testifying in court

Preventing and dealing with

secondary trauma

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 4

Desensitization

Familiarization

Neutral tone and demeanor

Seek an outlet to discuss issues

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 5

Maintaining Control of Interactions

Establish competence and knowledge

Establish purpose of the visit

Use neutral tone of voice

Establish and maintain standards

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 6

Maintaining Control of Interactions (cont.)

Establish that team communication

occurs

Set and maintain boundaries

Remember that you can be deceived

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 7

Initial Interviewing

Take control

Stress honesty

Take general

history

Dispel sex

offender myths

Take sex and sex

offense history

Allow face saving

Plan for the

future

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 8

Types of Denial

Denial that event took place

Denial that offender intended to

commit the offense

Denial that offender is fully

responsible--victim’s fault

Denial of other deviant behaviors

Denial of any harm done to victim

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 9

Strategies and Techniques to Handle Denial in an Initial Interview

Interview collaterals separately

Don’t tip your handDevelop a “yes set”Ignore untruthful

answers

Repeat questionsPlace denial

burden on offender

Use successive approximations

Alternate support and confrontation

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 10

Strategies and Techniques to Handle Denial in an Initial Interview (cont.)

Allow some rationalizationUse behavioral descriptorsEmphasize “What happened?” (vs.

why)Avoid multiple questionsAsk rapid fire questionsFrame disclosure as positive

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 11

Interview Strategies and Techniques to Handle Denial--Ongoing

Confront each instance of denial

Confront thinking errors

consistently

Do not allow shifting of

responsibility

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 12

Be Prepared for these Behaviors

Intimidation

Emotional outbursts

Manipulation

Creative interpretation of conditions

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 13

Families with Child Sexual Abuse

Challenges Complicated family dynamics Families need education, specialized

treatment Provide offenders with victim access

Parent-Child Incest Non-offending PartnersExtended Family Incest

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 14

Effective Office Contacts

Review homework and treatment goals

Review current sexual fantasies and practices

Discuss work in groupDiscuss high risk situations, SUDs,

coping techniques

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 15

Effective Office Contacts (cont.)

Evaluate changes in denialAssess movement through cycleConfront thinking errors and denialReview financial concerns

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 16

Effective Field Contacts

Assess neighborhood

Assess financial status

Assess family interaction

Assess friends and associates

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 17

Effective Home Contacts

Toys, games, dolls Pornography, satellite/cable TV,

InternetPets Camera equipment/photosPersonal articles from inappropriate

guests

Risk factors can include:

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 18

Eliciting the Cooperation of Offenders

Be clear about expectations

Be clear about roles

Be matter of fact about offense and

offense cycle

Emphasize benefits of cooperation

Emphasize costs of failure

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 19

Dealing with Lapses

Expect themRespond ASAP to each Take into account:

seriousness of lapse danger posed by offender how offender responded how officer learned of lapse

Impose sanctions/modify case plan

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 20

Testifying in Court

Prepare

Remember that you are a supervision

expert

Dress appropriately

Remain objective

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 21

Testifying in Court (cont.)

Use clear, understandable language

Be brief and accurate

Be alert--correct any errors in

summarization of your testimony

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 22

What is Secondary Trauma?

The emotional and psychological

effects experienced through

vicarious exposure to the details of

the traumatic experiences of others.

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 23

Effects of Secondary Trauma--Dealing with Sex Offenders Can:

Distort perceptions of normal behavior;

Be emotionally draining and difficult;

Violate our sense of how people should

be treated;

Create distrust of others; and

Make us feel weighed down by

responsibility

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 24

Signs of Secondary Trauma

Feeling distrustful of othersFeeling overly responsible for

community safety Overusing coping skillsFeeling isolatedDenying our own needsExperiencing relationship problems

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 25

What an Agency Can Do to Mitigate Secondary Trauma

Provide supportProvide specific trainingTrain managementEstablish clear boundaries regarding

powerProvide a safe forum for discussionMake it ok to laughOffender’s failure is not officer’s failure

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 26

What an Agency Can Do to Mitigate Secondary Trauma (cont.)

Stay abreast of changesProvide forum for resolving conflictCreate flexibility in assignmentsCreate team-based decision makingMaintain clear work boundaries and

policiesEncourage balanced lives

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 27

What an Individual Can Do to Mitigate Secondary Trauma

Listen to feedback from colleagues, family, friends

Take care of yourself

Create a self-care list

Be creative

Get away

Get outside

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 28

What an Individual Can Do to Mitigate Secondary Trauma (cont.)

Enjoy other environments

Appreciate the weather

Have fun

Socialize

Seek counseling if needed

CSOM Long Version: Section 5 29

Center for Sex Offender Management

www.csom.orgaskcsom@csom.org