Program

2011 Program Information to Come…

 

2010 Conference Brochure 

Sunday, February 14

KEYNOTE
8 am – 12 pm

What’s Wrong with a Little Pornography?(PDF)

Understanding Treatment Models for Sexual Offenders
Franca Cortoni, PhD, C.Psych
Université de Montréal
Risk-Need-Responsivity (Andrews & Bonta, 2006), Relapse Prevention (Pithers, 1990), Self-Regulation (Ward & Hudson, 2000), and Good Lives (Ward & Stewart, 2003) are all models being advocated for the treatment of sexual offenders, leaving clinicians with a bewildering array of approaches from which to choose. These models each have their own strengths and limitations. Further, they all have received widely varying levels of empirical support, ranging from none to very strong, leading to confusion about what should be best practices in the treatment of sexual offenders. This presentation will provide a review of these models and present an integrated framework that incorporates the latest theoretical thinking and empirical findings on best treatment practices with sexual offenders.

Understanding Treatment Models Handout (PDF)

BREAKOUTS
1:15 – 2:45 pm

Female Sexual Offenders: A Special Subgroup
Franca Cortoni, PhD, C.Psych
Université de Montréal
As female sexual offenders increasingly come to the attention of the criminal justice system, we must develop a better understanding of the issues related to the assessment and management of these women. This presentation will provide a review of the current knowledge in the area of risk of recidivism, assessment, and treatment needs of women who sexually offend. First, the prevalence of women who are sexual offenders will be discussed. Second, the results of Cortoni, Hanson, & Coache (2009’s meta-analysis on the recidivism rates of female sexual offenders) will be presented and the implication for risk assessment discussed. Third, the latest research findings on the factors related to sexually offending behavior in women will be reviewed. Finally, treatment aspects will be detailed, including a contrast and comparison between male and female offenders. Guidelines for the assessment and treatment of female sexual offenders will be provided.

Female Sex Offenders Handout (PDF)

The Active Interview: Discover and Harness the Skills that Work
Hank Roubicek, Ed.D.
University of Houston
The ability to access difficult information from defendants is based entirely on the communication skills which are commensurate to the interview purpose. This breakout will treat topics such as: forming question types and sequences for probationer types and speech patterns, setting the right climate, ways to regulate disclosure, ways to give signs that listening has taken place, and how to determine nonverbal leakage. Role playing, significant debriefing and case analysis will be the primary mode of training in this fast-paced, hands-on session.

Solutions: The Sexually Abusive Adolescent
John Kubis, MEd, LSOTP
Family Service Center of Galveston County
Dawn Lawless, LCSW, LSOTP, RPT-S
This didactic presentation will demonstrate the relevance of the treatment provider and treatment team model (probation officer, district attorney, polygrapher, child advocacy center) in the healing process by teaching early identification of inappropriate sexual behaviors and research supported intervention techniques; thereby, effecting positive change for the victim, offender, and caregiver. Audience participation will be encouraged and case examples and video clips will be shared to illuminate concepts addressed in the presentation.

Solutions Handout (PDF)

Working With Parents of Juvenile Sex Offenders
Monty Faison, LCSW, MSSW
and Terri Bauer, LCSW, MSSW
Collin County Juvenile Probation
This session will focus on understanding the importance of involving parents in Sexual Offender Treatment Programs and what to expect from them throughout the process, as well as their reactions. The speakers will also focus on how to address denial of parents and developing trust and rapport with parents. Helping parents understand how offenses occur and identifying family difficulties and how to take responsibility for them will also be discussed.

Working With Parents of Juvenile Sex Offenders Handout (PDF)

BREAKOUTS
3 – 4:30 pm

Female Sexual Offenders: A Special Subgroup, (Cont.)
Franca Cortoni, PhD, C.Psych
Université de Montréal

The Active Interview: Discover and Harness the Skills that Work, (Cont.)
Hank Roubicek, EdD
University of Houston Downtown

Enhancing Your Skills With Juveniles Who Have Sexual Behavior Problems
Robert Hart, MA, LPC LSOTP
Pegasus Schools, Inc.
Ways to treat the whole child, not just the sex offender part and specific ways you can help kids remember their thinking errors will be the focus of the presenter. Also discussed will be ways to help kids retain information using: auditory techniques; visual techniques; and activity based techniques.

Enhancing Your Skills Handout (PDF)

Addressing the Trauma Bond Through Group Therapy with Juvenile Sexual Offenders
Madeleine Byrne, PsyD, MSSW
Texas Youth Commission
Iman J. Ross, PhD, LPC
The focus of this session will be to explore the role pre-morbid traumatic experiences play in the etiology of juvenile sexual acting out; identify elements of the traumatic experience that predispose the offender to perpetrating sexual offenses; explore risk factors that increase the chances the juvenile will offend, and explore protective factors that mediate those risks. Also discussed will be how to provide a conceptual framework for treatment providers to use to assess trauma history upon intake with a youth; provide a conceptual framework within which providers begin to intervene to treat the trauma events and trauma sequelae; teach providers to identify areas within the juvenile that keep him “bound” to the traumatic events and values learned therein; demonstrate methods that are effective in a group setting to treat traumatic history in adolescent sexual offenders; and discuss limitations of the approach.

Addressing the Trauma Bond Handout (PDF)

Monday, February 15

KEYNOTE
8 am – 12 pm

Juveniles who Sexually Offend: Policy and Practice Research
Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD
Family Services Research Center, Medical Univ. of South Carolina
This full-day session will provide in-depth coverage of research on (a) treatment effectiveness, focusing on randomized clinical trials comparing Multisystemic Therapy with more traditional interventions and (b) the effects of sex offender registration and notification when applied to juveniles. Additionally, research pertaining to juvenile risk
assessment will be addressed. Attendees will become familiar with the treatment outcome literature, the available research on public policy effects, and with some of the limitations of existing recidivism risk instruments.

BREAKOUTS
1:15 – 2:45 pm

Juveniles who Sexually Offend: Policy and Practice Research, (Cont.)
Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD
Family Services Research Center, Medical Univ. of South Carolina

Crime Victim Services Division, Office of the Attorney General, The Sexual Assault Advisory Council Report to the Legislature
Jennie Barr, PhD
Sexual assault is a crime that cannot be reduced without addressing the problem from every angle – research, prevention, response, sex offender management and treatment, and legislative oversight. As an effort to address sexual violence in Texas, the 80th Legislature passed HB 1751, an act relating to the imposition and use of a fee on certain sexually oriented businesses and certain programs for the prevention of sexual assault. The legislation established a Sexual Assault Advisory Council to examine five key areas as they relate to sexual assault: prevalence of sexual assault in Texas, reduction of recidivism of convicted sexual offenders, increased prosecution and conviction rates, resources for addressing the needs of sexual assault victims, and identifying the cost of sexual violence in Texas. This workshop will provide an overview of the purpose and tasks of the Sexual Assault Advisory Council and how those challenges were addressed, specifically focusing on the Recidivism Workgroup’s results and recommendations.

Risk Measure Field Validity Among Texas Sex Offenders
Marcus Boccaccini, PhD
Sam Houston State University
During this session the speaker will provide information about the predictive validity of the STATIC-99, MnSOST-R, and PCL-R in a sample of more than 1,900 sex offenders released from Texas prisons; paying specific attention will be given to the issue of the appropriate STATIC-99 norms for Texas (e.g., 2003 vs. 2009 norms).He will also provide information about the extent to which the PCL-R predicts outcomes for offenders and how certain groups of items on the PCL-R may be more useful than others, and non-risk measure items tht predict reoffending. Also discussed will be information about rater agreement for risk scores reported in SVP trials and their implications for assessment practice.

Supervision of Sex Offenders: Who or What Really Lurks in the Privacy of Bubba’s Spare Room?
Ronnie Fanning,
BS Criminal Justice
McLennan County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
Discussed in this session will be the importance of good field work, and field work practices. The speaker will also suggest an effective field work program that maximizes community protection and officer involvement.

Supervision of Sex Offenders Handout (PDF)

BREAKOUTS
3 – 4:30 pm

Juveniles who Sexually Offend: Policy and Practice Research, (Cont.)
Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD
Family Services Research Center, Medical Univ. of South Carolina

Sex Offender Registration and the Potential Cost of Implementation of the Adam Walsh Act
Sgt. Greg Moss
Supervisor of the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit, Austin Police Department
This session will cover an informal work study on the cost of compliance to the Adam Walsh Act 2006. This study looks at the impact at the local level of converting offender’s convictions to the AWA “Tiering” system, the changes in the numbers of “in-person” appearances, and the potential costs; on both monetary and resource levels. This session will also discuss recent Texas Legislative changes and their effects at the local level on the registration and management of sex offenders.

Sex Offender Registration Handout (PDF)

Risk Measure Field Validity Among Texas Sex Offenders, (Cont.)
Marcus Boccaccini, PhD
Sam Houston State University

Clinical Use of Polygraph with Chaperones of Sexual Offenders
Kaye Renshaw, PhD, LPC LSOTP
Kaye Renshaw, PC
In this presentation, the speaker will provide information from our pilot program; discuss the benefits and problems of the program; and network and brainstorm for improving effectiveness of this program.

Clinical Use of Polygraph Handout (PDF)

Tuesday, February 16

CLOSING PANELS

81st Legislative Session Panel
8 – 10 am

Torie Camp, Deputy Director, Texas Association Against Sexual Assualt
Scott Merchant, Attorney, Department of Public Safety
Allison Taylor, Executive Director, Council on Sex Offender Treatment
Joy Rauls, Associate Director, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas
This session will discuss the 81st Legislative Session relating to laws passed and the impact on sex offenders and sexual assault issues. Additionally, the panel will discuss potential legislation for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session.

Victim Impact Panel
10:15 am- 12 pm

Sheri Sikes
TDCJ Victim Services
This session will feature a Victim Impact Panel consisting of victims/survivors of sexual molestation and assault who will share with you the details of their experiences. They will discuss the immediate and ongoing repercussions and struggles and the overall impact of the crimes, including financial, psychological, physical, and other ramifications. There will be an opportunity for questions.

Ethics Panel
1 – 4:15 pm

Aaron Pierce, PhD, LPC, LSOTP,
Clinical and Forensic Consulting Services;
Liles Arnold, LPC, LSOTP,
Summit Counseling Center;
Dan Powers, MSW, LCSW, LSOTP
Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center;
David Richards, Assistant General Counsel, Department of State Health Services
This presentation by the CSOT Ethics committee will address the top ten ethical issues in the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. The audience will learn:
1) The process of filing an ethical complaint;
2) The procedure for investigation of the complaint;
3) The Top Ten issues will be presented and the audience will have an opportunity to address the complaint and sight the standard that is involved;
4) The attorney for the CSOT and the ethics committee members will address ways that the problems could be avoided and resolved;
5) The audience will be able to state ethical concerns with the committee.