Journal article
Introducing a contextual lens to assessment and intervention for young people who engage in harmful sexual behaviour: an Australian case study
Journal of Children's Services, Vol.17(3), pp.192-204
2022
Abstract
Purpose: Intervention for young people engaging in harmful sexual behaviour has been largely based on individual-level conceptualisations and assessment. Prevention efforts reflect this individual-focus, relying primarily on offender management and justice responses. Risk of sexual abuse, however, is often situated outside the individual, within the broader social and physical systems in which young people are embedded. Lack of recognition for how contextual factors contribute to sexual abuse narrows the focus of prevention and intervention, overlooking the very contexts and circumstances in which this behaviour occurs. This paper aims to demonstrate the utility of contextual practice with young people who sexually harm, and implications for prevention. Design/methodology/approach: An Australian case study is used to showcase the “why”, “what” and “how” of a contextual approach to assessment and treatment of young people who sexually harm. Findings: Contextual approaches extend the focus of clinical practice beyond the individual to include the physical and social contexts that may contribute to risk. Adding a contextual lens broadens the approach to assessment, affording new opportunities to tailor the intervention to local contextual dynamics, and identifying new targets for primary and secondary prevention. Originality/value: This is the first known attempt to extend understanding of contextual approaches to clinical assessment and intervention for young people who sexually harm, using a case study method. The case study showcases contextual assessment and intervention processes that challenge traditional thinking and practice in this field. Importantly, the case study also reveals new opportunities for primary and secondary prevention that emerge through this contextual clinical practice.
Details
- Title
- Introducing a contextual lens to assessment and intervention for young people who engage in harmful sexual behaviour: an Australian case study
- Authors
- Susan Rayment-McHugh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyDimity Adams (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyNadine McKillop (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
- Publication details
- Journal of Children's Services, Vol.17(3), pp.192-204
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1108/JCS-06-2021-0024
- ISSN
- 2042-8677
- Grant note
- Australian Government; CGIAR Queensland Government Griffith Neighbourhoods Project
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99580308702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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