Sex Offence Case Study - Forensic Psychology

This essay is an assessment report written with the aim of providing insight to the psychologist charged with treating Mr. Smith, a recurrent sex offender. The essay begins by shedding light on the offender's background including his sex and social development as well as information on his education and employment. The report examines Mr. Smith’s current risk of reoffending if integrated back to society and offers relevant suggestions geared towards mitigating re-occurrence of the offenses by Mr. Smith. Additionally, the essay explores in great detail the ethical considerations that the treating psychologist should address before commencing Smith’s treatment. What’s more, the report offers the various strategies that can enhance a rapport between the treating psychologist and the patient to enhance communication and proper treatment.

Running head: FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY 1
Sex Offence Case Study
Student’s Name
Name of Institution

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Abstract
This essay is an assessment report written with the aim of providing insight to the
psychologist charged with treating Mr. Smith, a recurrent sex offender. The essay begins by
shedding light on the offender's background including his sex and social development as well as
information on his education and employment. The first segment relates the offender’s
background with his unlawful tendencies and tries to establish the causes of this repetitive
behavior. Afterward, the essay highlights smith’s current circumstances including his progress
since being incarcerated to help facilitate his treatment and rehabilitation. Subsequently, the
report examines Mr. Smith’s current risk of reoffending if integrated back to society. The report
then offers relevant suggestions geared towards mitigating re-occurrence of the offenses by
Mr.Smith.Additionally,the, the essay explores in great detail the ethical considerations that the
treating psychologist should address before commencing Smith’s treatment. What’s more, the
report offers the various strategies that can enhance a rapport between the treating psychologist
and the patient to enhance communication and proper treatment. Lastly, the report outlines the
risks that Mr. Smith poses to the wellbeing of the psychologist before concluding by providing
ways to tackle them.

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Mr. Smith’s background relevant to his treating psychologist
Mr. Smith grew up in a dysfunctional family where his father paid no attention to the
emotional health of his children.Mr.Smith, therefore, lacked a father figure who would provide
guidance regarding social relations, especially with the opposite sex. The patient has also been
exposed to aggression towards women courtesy of his father who used to verbally abuse Mr.
Smith’s mother. Additionally, Mr. Smith grew up in an environment that was socially male-
dominated. The men in Smith's life, however, had little respect and regard for women which is
the basis for Mr. Smith’s beliefs regarding sexual consent. The client is also a regular drinker
which may be a contributor to his offensive behavior. Alcohol tends to remove both their
psychological and physical inhibitors making the perpetrator more likely to perform the sexual
offensive act (Curt & Anne, 2014, p.97). Mr. Smith also lacks platonic relationships with
women. He reports that his relationships with women have been short-term and based on sex. As
a result, he is very delusional and he often regards positive social cues from women as sexually
motivated. Mr. Smith therefore often assumes that friendly women find him sexually attractive
which ends with him committing sexual assault. Mr. Smith also dropped out of school in year
eleven. He, therefore, does not have a very clear understanding of what constitutes a sexual
offense. The client is also rebellious and unruly which have impeded his education as well as
employment.
Information on Mr. Smith’s current circumstances relevant to his treating
psychologist

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Mr. Smith is yet to gain meaningful employment although he plans to resume
employment in his former posts at his friend’s trucking company. Mr. Smith is also looking
forward to a relationship despite moving in with an employed female friend who has a clean
criminal record. Additionally, the client is enrolled in a treatment program after being granted
parole. However, Mr. Smith is exhibiting very minimal change and is likely to experience a
relapse if a proper treatment procedure is not employed. There has however been a decline in his
rebellion and he is becoming friendlier.
Assessment of Mr. Smith’s current risk of re-offending (committing sexual violence)
Mr. Smith still poses a risk of sexual assault mainly because he is delusional as he still
mistakes friendliness for flirting. Mr. Smith’s female friend is also at great risk of sexual assault
given Mr. Smith has not been in a platonic relationship and the fact that Smith mistakes female
kindness for sexual attraction. Additionally, Mr. Smith has also not fully grasped the concept of
mutual consent and is therefore likely to take advantage of female friends around him.Mr.Smith
also does not exhibit remorse for previous actions and his inability to develop a sense of empathy
is thus likely to see him commit sexual violence again. The client also still lacks a mentor and
father figure to point him in the right direction especially regarding his relationships with
women. Mr. Smith's positive progress is also likely to be impeded by the reunion with his old
friends whom he plans to move in with once the 24 month period is over. Smith’s old friends are
likely to negatively affect his progress as Smith is likely to resume substance abuse which may
contribute to sexual assault. His current state of unemployment is also likely to result in idleness
which may see him seek sexual assault as an escape.
Suggestions that the treating psychologist can make to help him reduce this risk

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Mr. Smith should be encouraged to maintain minimal contact with his previous friends
since they negatively influence him. Additionally, the client should seek more platonic
relationships with women as this will enable him to understand the interests and behaviors of the
opposite sex. It will also give him the chance to develop meaningful relationships with the
opposite gender which will help him abandon flings. The meaningful relationships will also help
Mr. Smith develop a sense of purpose and drive in overcoming his struggles. The treating
psychologist should also inform Mr. Smith on the importance of mutual consent before sex as
this will eliminate accusations of sexual assault. Mr. Smith should also be discouraged from
moving in with the female friend to avoid a recurrence of his previous behavior. The
psychologist should also appoint a mentor or father figure who will advise Mr. Smith on how to
appropriately interact with women. Smith should also steer clear of alcohol and substance abuse
as they motivate him to commit sexual offenses.
Ethical issues to consider and/or address with Mr. Smith.
It is important to note that sex offenders are still guaranteed their human rights despite
their offenses (Alfred & Anthony,2010,p.76).Therefore, although the law protects the
community from the sexual offenders, it is also the obligation of the state to observe the right and
freedoms of the sexual offenders (Dominic,2010,p.46). With that in mind, the treating
psychologists should inform Mr. Smith of his human rights and freedoms throughout the
treatment process. For instance, the treating psychologist should inform Mr. Smith of his right to
treated with dignity and respect despite the limitations placed on his liberty. The patient should
also be informed of his freedom to raise concerns if and when he feels subjected to physical,
emotional and psychological torture (Graham & Anthony, 2017, p.112). All measures taken in
the treatment of sex offenders should be geared towards competent caring for the patient's well-

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being. Any action contrary to this principle should, therefore, constitute unethical conduct on the
part of the professional. The treating psychologist should also inform Mr. Smith on the need to
maintain professional relationships with the relevant staff since engaging in a personal
relationships can compromise the competency as well as impair the effectiveness of their
psychological work.
Mr. Smith should also be made aware of the psychologist's role in maintaining client
confidentiality. It is the duty of the treating psychologist and other staff to seek the client's
consent before disclosure of confidential information (William, Yolanda & Liam, 2005, p.172).
Disclosure of confidential information without the consent of the client is only allowed by law if
the information is used for the protection of the client (Australian forensic psychology for sexual
offenders, 2011, p.16). There should also be a discussion on the methodology used by the
treating psychologist. For instance, it is unethical for the practitioner to withhold or tamper with
the relevant information (Australian Psychological Society, 2016, p.53). The psychologist should
inform Mr. Smith on the need to maintain proper records in order to facilitate future research as
well as compliance with the relevant regulations. Documentation, however, should not
compromise the confidentiality between the psychologist and the client.
Strategies to build engagement with Mr. Smith.
The psychologist should appeal on the friendly nature of Mr. Smith. A close relationship
with Mr. Smith will make it easier for him to open up and reveal more concerning his time.
Additionally, the psychologist should assure Mr. Smith of the confidentiality of the information
he shares. It is also essential for the psychologist to discuss Mr. Smith’s life interests such as his
love for alcohol and eagerness to form new relationships. Discussing personal interests has been
found to be effective in helping people open up (Daniel, Tanya &Leigh, 2014, p.43). The

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psychologist should also treat be patient and non-judgmental towards Mr.Smith.This way, the
client will feel valued and respected which may prove useful in increasing the client's openness.
The treating psychologist should also establish Mr. Smith’s feelings and sentiments regarding his
treatment by the law enforcement authorities. Enquiring on such issues will portray the
psychologist as caring which will get Mr. Smith to talk and divulge information that will be
helpful in his treatment. The psychologist should also conduct the treatment in a manner that
makes Mr. Smith feel safe and comfortable. This is because pressuring the client may prove
counterproductive since most clients tend to become cagey and secretive (Shirley& Prasuna,
2006, p.34). Since Mr. Smith has been previously regarded as resistant to treatment, it is essential
for the psychologist to show emotional support by empathizing and showing the client that he is
worth the time and effort (Liang, Amy, Thomas & Andrew, 2011, p.102). Lastly, the
psychologist should apply a collaboration centered approach to treatment as it is useful in
building trust which gives the psychologist a greater chance of success in treating the client.
Risk issues for the treating psychologist to consider when dealing with Mr. Smith
Mr. Smith still poses a threat given his violent past as well as sexual assault history. The
treating psychologist should, therefore, be wary of Mr. Smith's rebellious past despite his current
friendly nature.Mr.Smith is also likely to pose a threat to a female treating psychologist as
evidenced by his wishes for a female psychologist who he can ‘take to a movie. ’Additionally,
Mr. Smith is still in denial regarding his offenses which may increase the risk of committing
them again. The treating psychologist should, therefore, be vigilant and keen in observing
sexually violent tendencies.
Mitigating the risk issues posed by Mr. Smith

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The risks posed by Mr. Smith can be mitigated by adhering to the ethical principles of
psychological practice. For instance, the treating psychologist, especially female should steer
clear of multiple relationships with the client to avoid being compromised. Avoiding personal
relationships with the client will also minimize the risk of sexual violence given the client's past
(Amy & Harry, 2015, p.89). The psychologist should also maintain proper documentation of the
events and issues occurring during treatment. Documentation and recording keeping is likely to
discourage the client from harming the psychologist (Leam William & Kevin, 2010, p.45).

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References
Alfred A & Anthony L. (2010). Ethical Practice in Psychology: Reflections from the
creators of the APS code of ethics. (1st ed, pp.76) John Wiley and sons.
Amy P & Harry M. (2015). Sexual Offending: Predisposing Antecedents, Assessments and
Management. (1st ed, pp.89) Springer.
Australian forensic psychology for sexual offenders. (2011). Issues in Criminal and Forensic
Psychology and Psychiatry: 2011 Edition, pp.16)
Australian Psychological Society. (2016). Ethical Guidelines: Complementing the APS Code
of Ethics. (5th ed, pp.53) Abe Books.
Curt R., & Anne M. (2014). Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application
(4th ed., pp.97).
Daniel T, Tanya G, Leigh H. (2014). Sex Offender Treatment: A Case Study Approach to
Issues and Interventions. (1st ed, pp.43)Wiley Blackwell.
Dominic J. (2010). Australia's Preventive Detention Laws: An Analysis of Risk Assessment
Practices and Characteristics of Sex Offenders (1st ed, pp.46) Monash University.
Graham M & Anthony R. (2017). Forensic Psychology: Crime, Justice, Law, Interventions.
(2nd ed, pp.112) British Psychological Society John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Leam A, William R., Kevin D. (2010). Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offenders. (1st
ed, pp.45) John Wiley &Sons Ltd.
Liang T, Amy D, Thomas H & Andrew (2011). Ethics for Psychologists: A Casebook
Approach. (1st ed, pp.102). Sage
Shirley A, & Prasuna R. (2006). Ethics & Professional Practice for Psychologists. (2 nd Ed,
pp.34) Thomson social sciences Press.

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William L, Yolanda F & Liam M. (2005). Sexual Offender Treatment: Controversial Issues.
(1st ed, p.172) John Wiley & Sons Ltd.