Citation

Bairn C, Allam JM, Eames T, Dunford S, Hunt S. J. Sex. Aggress. 1999; 4(1): 4-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13552609908413278

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of using psychodrama to enhance victim empathy in a group of 9 male sex offenders attending a probation service treatment programme in England. The group consisted of 6 child abusers and 3 men who had indecently assaulted women. The psychodrama element took place over 20 sessions and was evaluated with the aid of psychometric tests administered pre and post-intervention. This article focuses specifically on the impact of the intervention on victim empathy and on distortions about the sexual sophistication of children. The hypothesis that the psychodrama input would enhance empathy for victims was supported by the results, which showed statistically significant improvements in levels of empathy for both child and adult victims of sexual abuse. In addition, it was found that clients had significantly lower levels of distortions about child sexuality post-intervention. These findings are encouraging and suggest that using psychodrama in sex offender treatment is worthy of further investigation.