Compassion in custody: developing a trauma sensitive intervention for men with developmental disabilities who have convictions for sexual offending. Issue 5 (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Jon
• Is Part Of: Advances in mental health and intellectual disabilities. Volume 15:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: Intellectual disability -- Shame -- Sexual offending -- Compassion focussed therapy -- Criminogenic need -- Trauma sensitive practice; Learning disabled -- Mental health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.30941
• DOI: 10.1108/AMHID-01-2021-0004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-1282

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: This paper aims to provide a description of a trauma sensitive intervention for men who have committed sexual offences. The intervention aims to support men to process and make sense of their own experience of trauma before inviting them to acknowledge their role in causing harm to others. The intervention draws on compassion focussed therapy (CFT) as the overarching therapeutic modality. Design/methodology/approach: As part of a service evaluation changes in routine repeat measures completed by service users were analysed prior to joining the intervention and after 12 months of intervention. Service users were encouraged to provide regular feedback relating to their experience of the intervention at regular intervals. This feedback was collated and patterns were identified collaboratively to understand the context for assessed change in the measures. Findings: Prior to the intervention men reported high levels of shame and limited experiences of guilt (as compassion for others). Early findings indicate that men experience less shame and increased experiences of guilt after 12 months. An increase in insight into risk was also evident. Service user feedback pointed towards a more engaging therapeutic style and highlighted the importance of both a collaborative and trauma sensitive approach. Originality/value: This is the first evaluative description of forensic CFT for sexual offending. Findings offer insight into potential future directions for forensic interventions with this population.