Sexual Offender Treatment: A Paradigm Analysis of Academic Journals

Many criminologists and psychologists have theorized the possible causes behind an individual who engages in sex offenses; some of which will be reviewed. Through this paradigm analysis, I hope to identify how each discipline addresses the causes of sex offending and what treatments they offer in response to their theories. Additionally, this thesis will examine the Good Lives, Relapse Prevention, and the Risks, Need, Responsivity (RNR) models of treatment. The main objective of this thesis is to address the different facets of sex offending, so that the importance of finding an effective treatment model can be understood. By raising awareness to the multiple typologies of sex offenders and differentiating contact and non-contact offenses, this thesis aims to allow for a better understanding of the causes of sexual offending so that we may develop effective treatment options that address such issues