A treatment service for sex offenders and abusers with intellectual disability: Characteristics of referrals and evaluation

Background Several authors have documented the problem of sex offenders and abusers with intellectual disability. With the advent of community care policies, alternative systems for treatment and management are needed to deal with the problems associated with this client group. The current paper describes such a service which attempts to maintain clients' community placements. Methods A database was set up drawing on information from a wide variety of professions. Data are reported on 62 sex offenders and abusers with intellectual disability. Results Information is reported on age, IQ, mental illness, medication, referral characteristics, current and previous sexual offending, forensic status and the range of problems identified during assessment. Re-offending data are reported up to 4 years following discharge. Re-offending rates increase from 4% after 1 year to 21% after 4 years. Unplanned discharge was significantly associated with re-offending. Conclusions It is possible to set up a relatively cost-effective community service for sex offenders with intellectual disability. In terms of re-offending, the outcomes for this service are favourable when compared to the outcomes for alternative disposals reported in the literature.