Authors' objectives: This health technology assessment report is an overview of systematic reviews reporting on the efficacy/effectiveness of psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy interventions delivered within Sex Offender Treatment (SOT) programs to reduce the risk of re-offending in convicted adult male sex offenders.

Authors' recommendations: While the evidence from seven moderate-to-high quality SRs suggests that SOT has the potential to reduce sexual and nonsexual recidivism, the reported findings provide stronger support for the effectiveness of CBT approaches and for programs adhering to the RNR model. Any conclusions drawn from this overview of SRs remain tentative. Given the methodological problems ofthe available primary research, it is difficult to draw strong conclusions about the effectiveness of SOT programs using various CBT approaches for such a heterogeneous population.The reviewed evidence does not provide clear answers to what are the components of an optimal SOT program and to whether where the program is delivered matters. All SRs concluded that more and better research is needed to clearly answer these questions.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2010

URL for published report: http://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search/treatment-for-convicted-adult-male-sex-offenders

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Institute of Health Economics

Contact Address: 1200, 10405 – Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 3N4, Canada. Tel: +1 780 448 4881 Fax: +1 780 448 0018

Contact Name: info@ihe.ca

Contact Email: info@ihe.ca

Copyright: Institute of Health Economics (IHE)