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Approaches to Assessment and Intervention With Children and Young People Who Engage in Harmful Sexual Behavior: A Scoping Review.

Authors :
McPherson, Lynne
Vosz, Meaghan
Gatwiri, Kathomi
Hitchcock, Clarissa
Tucci, Joe
Mitchell, Janise
Fernandes, Cyra
Macnamara, Noel
Source :
Trauma, Violence & Abuse. Apr2024, Vol. 25 Issue 2, p1585-1598. 14p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a project that conducted a rapid review of evidence regarding assessment and intervention approaches responding to children and young people who engage in harmful sexual behaviors. A literature review was conducted using a systematic search of academic databases and consultation with subject matter experts. The process resulted in 27 scholarly publications being included and analyzed to explore what was known about effective approaches with children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behavior. The review found that the current state of knowledge was limited, with few of the included papers reporting research outcomes. In the absence of a sound evidence base, additional theoretical literature and expert commentary have been drawn upon to better understand issues in this complex practice area. A key finding of this review was that growing awareness that children and young people who engage in harmful sexual behaviors are, first and foremost, children. They should not be regarded as soon-to-be-adults who are engaging in adult offending. This shift in thinking informs contemporary assessment and intervention approaches, challenging those models that previously focused on measuring risk using forensic approaches to predict the likelihood of future offending. A critical failure to understand the needs of specific cohorts of children and young people was also evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15248380
Volume :
25
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Trauma, Violence & Abuse
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
175824855
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380231189293