[The treatment of pedophilia under juridical compulsion]

Abstract

Public opinion is more and more concerned about the fate of victims of sexual violence and sexual abuse. Until now the focus of scientific research concerned the most appropriate approach of children and women as the main victims of male sexual offenders. We need more research on the psychopathology of sexuality and aggression in order to develop scientifically founded treatment modalities to prevent relapse of sexual abuse. The University Forensic Centre of the University of Antwerp started in 1993 with an outpatient consultation for the diagnosis and treatment of paraphilia disorders. During the first 3 years, 265 consecutive clients have been examined, including 157 persons referred for pedosexual activities. This paper reflects the experience of the diagnostic and treatment team with this specific population. The specialised outpatient treatment program is mainly based on cognitive and behaviour therapy. The program can be divided in six phases: 1. intake, 2. provision of the necessary safeguards, 3. diagnostic (bio-psycho-social and criminological), 4. enhancement of motivation for treatment, 5. relapse prevention I where the focus is on behavioural control and 6. relapse prevention II where the focus is on life style imbalances. Difficult ethical problems must be taken into account in the treatment of sexual abusers referred by judicial authorities (74% of our cases), 1) the lack of motivation for treatment, 2) the problem of confidentiality.