Some of these treatments tend to be more effective than others, and some can also be used in combination with other treatments. .
As a result of the increasing public intolerance for sexual offenses, legislation in many states resorted to chemical castration. This procedure, when used properly, reduces abnormally high sexual arousal or fantasy patterns. These chemicals have been highly successful in suppressing overall sexual behaviors. However, it is important to note that the role of sexual motivation and arousal varies among abusers; therefore, the reduction of sexual drive may be of limited usefulness in some cases. Surgical castration is another form of treatment that also reduces sexual arousal by controlling the serum level of testosterone in the body. Another form of surgical treatment is Stereotaxic neurosurgery. This form puts lesions into the brain, ultimately reducing overt sexual behavior. These forms of treatment seem to have Positive outcomes on the rate of recidivism, but there seems to be concern whether these treatments are ethical.
Another type of treatment, which has been highly successful, is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach recognizes that sexual offenders are not necessarily motivated by sexual desires. The cognitive-behavioral therapies used to treat sex offenders includes a range of treatments from conditioning-based approaches to behavior skills training it's a package to teach offenders more normal ways to interact with adults, and address the underlying pattern of sexual arousal (whyfiles.org, 2002). Conditioning based approaches include the following:.
Classical Conditioning approach:.
Aversive stimulus i.e. brief electric shock to a limb or administration of nausea inducing chemicals paired with the deviant fantasy or imagery, which normally causes sexual arousal.
Operant Conditioning Approach:.
Negative consequence i.e. aversive stimulus follows sexual arousal to deviant thoughts or stimuli.
