How to understand and work with sexual offenders.

1. Not in my Neighborhood! Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT Founding Director The Sexual Recovery Institute (SRI) - Los Angeles www.sexualrecovery.com

4. Common Offender Myths Myth: “They’re dirty old men” Fact: Most offenders report having committed their first offense by age 16 Myth: “Children must always watch out for strangers!” Fact: The vast majority of sexual offenders are known to their victims Myth: They are monsters Fact : Most are law abiding, working citizens and neighbors without prior history of illegal behavior or arrest Myth: They are incurable Fact: There are many types of offenders, most of whom have a less than a 10% likelihood of recidivism if provided useful treatment and a less than 17% likelihood of recidivism once caught, even without treatment Myth: The majority of sexual offenders are caught, convicted, and in prison Fact: Only a fraction of those who commit sexual assault are apprehended and convicted for their crimes. Most convicted sex offenders eventually are released to the community under probation or parole supervision Myth: "All sex offenders are male” Fact: The vast majority of sex offenders are male. However, females also commit sexual crimes. Approximately 5% of all sexual offenders are female Myth: "Youths do not commit sex offenses” Fact: Adolescents are responsible for a significant number of rape and child molestation cases each year

5. Common Myths about Sex Offenders Myth: “They’re dirty old men” Fact: Most offenders report having committed their first offense by age 16 Myth: “Children must always watch out for strangers!” Fact: The vast majority of sexual offenders are known to their victims Myth: They are monsters Fact : Most are law abiding, working citizens and neighbors without prior history of illegal behavior or arrest Myth: They are incurable Fact: There are many types of offenders, most of whom have a less than a 10% likelihood of recidivism if provided useful treatment and a less than 17% likelihood of recidivism once caught, even without treatment Myth: The majority of sexual offenders are caught, convicted, and in prison Fact: Only a fraction of those who commit sexual assault are apprehended and convicted for their crimes. Most convicted sex offenders eventually are released to the community under probation or parole supervision Myth: “All sex offenders are male” Fact: The vast majority of sex offenders are male. However, females also commit sexual crimes. Approximately 5% of all sexual offenders are female Myth: "Youths do not commit sex offenses” Fact: Adolescents are responsible for a significant number of rape and child molestation cases each year

24. Not in my Neighborhood: Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT Founding Director The Sexual Recovery Institute (SRI) - Los Angeles www.sexualrecovery.com