SafeCare Method Treatment Program

For over 36 years SafeCare has offered treatment, counselling and support to people who have harmed, people who may harm , people who have been harmed and people who care for them.

OVERVIEW

The is a community-based specialist group treatment program for child sexual abuse (CSA) and child exploitation material (CEM) offenders as well as men who are at risk of doing so. The 20-30 session program is designed to cover victim empathy training, childhood issues, relapse prevention strategies and positive sexuality. Internet and child pornography offending are also dealt with as a preventive intervention. To protect the group milieu and confidentiality, potential participants are assessed, screened for motivation level and attitudes to treatment before being accepted into the group program. Within a positive therapeutic environment, facilitators utilise current research and treatment philosophies across a range of treatment modalities including psychodynamic/attachment theory/developmental and cognitive behavioural approaches and assist individuals to generalise new learning into the realistic community setting.

Participants with similar and specific problematic behaviours are assessed, screened for motivation level and attitudes to treatment and accepted into the group program to guard the program milieu and confidentiality. Within a positive therapeutic environment, facilitators utilise prevailing research and treatment philosophies across a range of treatment modalities including psychodynamic/attachment theory/developmental and cognitive behavioural approaches and assist individuals to generalise new learning into the realistic community setting.

THE FACILITATORS

The group offered initially by Clinical Psychologists Ms Christabel Chamarette and Mr. Peter Dunlop now has a Facilitation team consisting of registered Psychologists Ms Janice Paige, Mr Rick Underwood, Mrs Monica Macoun, Ms Samantha Munslow-Davies, Mr Lloyd Fernandes working in conjunction with other SafeCare Method trained facilitators and scribes.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND COST

Different aspects of the group program utilize different therapeutic models, all of which are grounded in recognised theory, research and practice. The participants are required to enter into a contractual arrangement that has child protection as its focus and to contribute financially for their treatment ($100 – 150 per weekly session). At this stage, Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 sessions/year where the participant gains a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan from a GP. The groups meet one evening a week for 2.5 hours for 25-30 weeks and the number of participants is limited to 10. Completely Online Groups and Hybrid participation within in-person groups are also available.

The treatment programs are offered throughout the year as in-person courses (with some participants attending online) and as a fully online group where the participants are unable to attend in-person.

COURSE CONTENT AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Module 1: Introduction

Psycho-Educational Approach

The participants are assisted to recognize the sexually abusive nature of their behavior in relation to children, and to accept responsibility for it. The group also provides support for the men, most of whom are facing major upheavals in their lives.

The topics covered include:- What is Child Sexual abuse and why Internet offending and viewing child pornography are treated as indicators of risk to children; sexual addiction; cognitive distortions – e.g., rationalizations, minimizations and denials; factors which may have led to the offending, the effects of sexual abuse on victims and other family members as well as coping skills needed during a crisis. This module draws on Finkelhor’s Precondition Model of Sexual Offending.

Module 2: Childhood Issues

Psychodynamic/Developmental Approach

This module recognizes that many men who have offended have themselves had a traumatic or damaging childhood that has blocked their emotional development.

We believe it is vital for men to heal from the effects of their own childhood trauma if they are to fully accept responsibility for their actions. This module enables offenders to examine childhood issues that have impacted on their lives and also teaches them skills to help restore the inner child, enabling them to mature emotionally.

Module 3: Empathy

Psychosocial/Role Modeling (Gestalt, Art and Drama)

The work in this module is primarily experiential and builds on the self-knowledge gained in Childhood Issues. Participants are introduced to the concepts of personal rights and boundaries using aspects of gestalt therapy to elicit some of the painful feelings and emotions which may have been suppressed.

Accessing their own painful emotions from childhood is essential for the development of empathic understanding of children in general and victims of child sexual abuse in particular.

Module 4: Relapse Prevention / Positive Sexuality

Mainly CBT

The relapse prevention and positive sexuality module initially focuses on identifying more clearly the risk factors associated with offending and on developing strategies to avoid high risk situations in the future. It has a very practical approach which provides participants with greater confidence and skills in preventing re-offending. The second part of the module focuses on developing positive, sexual relationships and healthy sexual attitudes and behaviours.

REFERENCES

Beech, A. R. & Fisher, D. D. (2002). The rehabilitation of child sex offenders. Australian Psychologist, Vol. 37 (3), pp. 206-214.
Elliott, I A & Beech A R (2009) Understanding online child pornography use: Applying sexual offense theory to internet offenders. Aggression and Violent Behaviour 14,180-193

Ward, T. & Stewart, C. A. (2003). The treatment of sex offenders: risk management and good lives. Professional Psychology: Research and practice. Vol 34 (4) pp. 1-8.

SafeCare Incorporated
PO Box 1290
FREMANTLE WA 6959
E: admin@safecare@org.au