Sex Offender Treatment Programs
The Sex Offender Treatment Programs in Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Larimer, or Weld County are a long and arduous process. Juveniles may expect continued treatment for as long as two years, and adults can face a minimum of three years of Sex Offender Intensive Supervised Probation (SOISP) and treatment.
Different programs in Englewood, Aurora, Brighton, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, and across the Denver-Metro area may have slightly different methods for treating people that have been convicted of sex offenses like Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-3-405.4), Unlawful Sexual Contact (CRS 18-3-404), Sexual Assault (CRS 18-3-402), or Incest (CRS 18-6-302) among other sex crimes, but they must all follow the strict standards put in place by the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB).
Below is a brief look at what the treatment programs will most likely consist of in treatment facilities across the Front Range.
- Evaluation using many different types of invasive tests is the first “phase” the individual must go through after entering the Sex Offender Treatment Program. All sexual history must be disclosed. Polygraphs, many psychological tests, and the ABEL assessment of sexual interest or PPG test are mandatory. These tests “help” to determine what the best method of treatment and recovery plan is for the individual. Not all of these treatment options have any sort of researched evidence that proves they are effective; they are simply interpreted based on someone's subjectivity.
- Engagement of the individual in different types of therapy methods is a result of the initial evaluation. Regardless of the circumstances of their crime, the person must realize and admit that they have a need for treatment and what they did was morally wrong. The circumstances do not matter. Not only does the offender have to go to many treatment sessions, but they must also meet all financial responsibility for the treatment which SOMB requires. Guardians or parents of juveniles have to complete informed supervision training and participate in any type of family therapy that is suggested by SOMB. An adult offender must have a spouse or close friend finish a chaperone training, which serves the same purpose as the informed supervision training for juveniles. If there is resistance from the offender during this therapy, they will be reported to the referring agency and their sex offender probation officer.
- The individual must develop strategies to distinguish their old sexual behavior and thought patterns from what a therapist decides their new behavior and thoughts should be like. This is where most of the treatment takes place for the sex offender. Intervention techniques are taught so they may learn new ways to handle their moods and tame their urges. They have to identify their trigger factors to sexual behavior, what their mindset is before they act out, understand what a healthy relationship is, and develop the avoidance skills to keep from repeating their unlawful behavior. The government keeps tabs on the individuals with frequent polygraphs to see if their actions are consistent with the treatment plan.
- All of the strategies learned must be integrated and recorded in a plan the individual makes that has to be accepted by their therapists to keep them from relapsing into unlawful sexual behavior. They have to pass a polygraph that proves their honesty and intention to change their actions. A Relapse Prevention Plan is shown to their probation officer and they then will decide if the individual has successfully finished the treatment that the court has required.