Answer

Correctional Counseling: Behavioral Theories of Sex Offending

Question #3

Sex offending is a term used to describe individuals involved in sex offenses. Example of common sex offense is defilement of a minor or forced sex (Van Voorhis, Braswell & Lester, 2009). Nonetheless, sexual offense also includes sexual demands from individuals deemed unfit to provide consent for sexual activities. According to behavioral theories of sex offending, arousal sexual deviance is critical to committing sexual crimes. The goal of sexual satisfaction and the strategies used to achieve it can influence an individual to commit sexual offence. The behavioral theories of sex offenders assert that sexual offences are learned behaviors, and are influenced by self-regulation of an individual’s sexual behavior. 

Sexual offences are learned behaviors. Continued sexual deviance depends on reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement is among the best strategies to teach sex offenders positive behavior (Van Voorhis, Braswell & Lester, 2009). Cognitive behavioral treatment enhances positive behavior by challenging cognitive distortion and justification of sex offending crimes among offenders. On the other hand, gratification of sexual behavior and perceived absence of negative consequences increases the chances of occurrence of sexual offences in the society (Van Voorhis, Braswell & Lester, 2009). Primarily, the focus of the concept is that when the negative consequences for a criminal activity such as sexual offence are high, the crime is likely to be law. Most sex offenders are restrained by the thought of consequences for their actions.

Sexual offenses are associated with self-regulations of individual’s sexual behavior. Sex regulation is one of the behavioral theories that have been used to explain sex deviant behaviors. The objective of sexual satisfaction includes selection of a goal and developing strategies to fulfill the goal. The goal of sexual satisfaction such as intimacy and other rewards associated to sexual deviance behaviors have the ability to affect people judgments and information processing. The goals and strategies involved in achieving sexual desires have become integrated into behavior of the offender. Self-regulation is an important variable to sexual variance among male sex offenders.

 There are various therapies founded on the assertions of behavioral theories of sex offending. They include self-regulation model, the good life therapy, and cognitive behavioral model. Self-regulatory approach involves practicing of inhibitory activities to establishing objectives or goals towards achieving sexual desires (Van Voorhis, Braswell & Lester, 2009). The therapy involves activities to help offenders attain independence and autonomy without having to abuse others. Besides, in reinforces the understanding to achieve intimacy and pleasure in no-harmful and healthy manner. Good life therapy seeks to provide independence and emotional stability among sex offenders by providing them with basic needs and common life goals such as relationships, happiness and sexual satisfaction to make them comfortable just as other people (Van Voorhis, Braswell & Lester, 2009). Cognitive behavioral treatment conceptualizes sexual offending behavior as a learning process developed through an effective cognitive pattern. Thus, the focus of the treatment involves altering behavioral patterns, and cognitive response to attain desired results (Kratcoski, 2017). The deviant sexual behaviors are replaced by adoptive non-deviant and pro-social responsible behaviors. 

 Get This Answer