Engaging Resistance: Creating Partnerships for Change in Sexual Offender Treatment

"The goal of managing offender behavior is undermined by a stern intent to punish. As a result, what [offenders] resist persists."--Engaging Resistance

A sexual offender entering the criminal justice/child welfare system faces numerous change agents judges, lawyers, therapists, and officers attempting to adjust offender behavior and reduce recidivism. Change agents often meet with resistance to change on behalf of the offender. Engaging Resistance addresses the underlying reasons for offender behavior and resistance by demonstrating how the societal need to punish offenders is often retroactive to the rehabilitation process.

Offering effective treatment methods that aim at creating offender/change agent partnerships to increase client motivation and facilitate sustainable changes in behavior, the authors reevaluate prior methods of treatment and suggest a multi-system approach that holds the offender, society, criminal justice system, and change agents accountable for facilitating rehabilitation. Engaging Resistance provides a refreshing outlook for those working with sexual offenders in hopes of making a difference.

Charles Flinton is a clinical and forensic psychologist at Sharper Future, a forensic mental health clinic that provides assessment and treatment services to manage antisocial, violent, and sexually abusive behavior. He provides psychological assessments and expert testimony. Flinton also maintains a private practice and provides consultations services to various community agencies.

Robert Scholz has an extensive background in assessing and treating sexual offenders and victims of sexual abuse. He works at Pepperdine University's Student Counseling Center, and also serves as an adjunct faculty member in Pepperdine s Graduate School of Education and Psychology.