Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Sexual Crime and Prevention pp 83–109Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Safer Living Foundation: The Aurora Project

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Sexual Crime ((SEXCR))

Abstract

This book chapter introduces the Safer Living Foundation (SLF) prevention intervention—The Aurora Project (TAP). The project offers a free therapy service for adults who have unwanted sexual thoughts and feelings that if acted on would lead to a sexual offence. This chapter considers the best treatment content and methods for a sexual offence prevention intervention. It outlines the research with non-offending people who report unhealthy sexual thoughts and feelings to examine their therapy needs. It also considers research undertaken with people who have offended to understand what may have helped to prevent them from offending. The chapter will go on to examine therapeutic approaches that are used in TAP, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) and discuss the reasoning for these approaches. Finally, the chapter will outline the structure of TAP.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2003). The psychology of criminal conduct (3rd ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • A-Tjak, J. G. L., Davis, M. L., Morina, N., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A. J., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2015). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for clinically relevant mental and physical health problems. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84, 30–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beier, K. M., Grundmann, D., Kuhle, L. F., Scherner, G., Konrad, A., & Amelung, T. (2015). The German Dunkelfeld project: A pilot study to prevent child sexual abuse and the use of child abusive images. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(2), 529–542.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bumby, K. M., Marshall, W. L., & Langton, C. (1999). A theoretical model of the influences of shame and guilt on sexual offending. In B. K. Schwartz (Ed.), The sex offender: Theoretical advances, treating special populations and legal developments (pp. 1–12). Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantor, J., & McPhail, I. (2016). Non-offending pedophiles. Current Sexual Health Reports. Online first. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-016-0076-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, B. M. (2016). Self-identifications, sexual development, and wellbeing in minor-attracted people: An exploratory study. Unpublished thesis, Cornell University, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, J., & Twohig, M. P. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy for problematic internet pornography use: A randomized trial. Behavior Therapy, 47, 355–366.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dombert, B., Schmidt, A. F., Banse, R., Briken, P., Hoyer, J., Neutze, J., et al. (2016). How common is Men’s self-reported sexual interest in prepubescent children? Journal of Sex Research, 53(2), 214–223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duggan, C., & Dennis, J. (2014). The place of evidence in the treatment of sex offenders. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 24(3), 153–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feelgood, S., & Hoyer, J. (2008). Child molester or paedophile? Sociolegal versus psychopathological classification of sexual offenders against children. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 14, 33–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600802133860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fjorback, L. O., Arendt, E. O., Fink, P., & Walach, H. (2011). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinivica, 124(2), 102–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (1992). Depression: The evolution of powerlessness. Hove/New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Ltd/Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion focused therapy: Distinctive features. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53, 6–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie, S. M., Mitchell, I. J., Fisher, D., & Beech, A. R. (2012). Treating disturbed emotional regulation in sexual offenders: The potential applications of mindful self-regulation and controlled breathing techniques. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 17(4), 333–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granthan, P., & Cowtan, C. (2015). Third wave CBT therapies brief literature review. SDS Seminars Ltd. www.skillsdevelopment.co.uk

  • Hanson, R. K., & Morton-Bourgon, K. E. (2005). The characteristics of persistent sexual offenders: A meta-analysis of recidivism studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 1154–1163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C. (2004). Acceptance and commitment therapy, relational frame theory, and the third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies. Behavior Therapy, 35, 639–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoberman, H. M. (2016). Forensic psychotherapy for sexual offenders: Likely factors contributing to its apparent ineffectiveness. In A. Phenix & H. Hoberman (Eds.), Sexual offending. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives Psychological Science, 10, 227–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1982). An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: Theoretical considerations and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry, 4, 33–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain and illness. New York: Delacorte.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York: Hyperion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlenberg, R. J., & Tsai, M. (1991). Functional analytic psychotherapy: Creating intense and curative therapeutic relationships. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Langstrom, N., Enebrink, P., Laurén, E. M., Lindblom, J., Werkö, S., & Hanson, R. K. (2013). Preventing sexual abusers of children from reoffending: Systematic review of medical and psychological interventions. British Medical Journal, 347, f4630.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laws, D. R., & Ward, T. (2011). Desistance from sexual offending: Alternatives to throwing away the keys. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., & Grady, M. (2017, October 18). Obstacles to help-seeking for minor-attracted persons. Presented at the association for Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) conference, Lawrence, KS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., Willis, G. M., & Vicencio, C. P. (2017). Obstacles to help-seeking for sexual offenders: Implications for prevention of sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 26(2), 99–120.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lievesley, R., Elliott, H., Barnes, O., & Rodgers, C. (2018). Resist not desist: An exploration of help seeking bahaviour in individuals with sexual convictions. Manuscript in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, R. E., Hanson, K. R., & Thornton, D. (2010). Assessing risk for sexual recidivism: Some proposals on the nature of psychologically meaningful risk factors. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 22(2), 191–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maruna, S., & Mann, R. E. (2006). A fundamental attribution error? Rethinking cognitive distortions. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 11, 155–177. https://doi.org/10.1348/135532506X114608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. (2011). Common mental health problems: Common mental health problems: Identification and path identification and pathways to care. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg123

  • Paul, R. H., Marx, B. P., & Orsillo, S. M. (1999). Acceptance based psychotherapy in the treatment of an adjudicated exhibitionist: A case example. Behavior Therapy, 30, 149–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheff, T. J., & Retzinger, S. M. (1997). Shame, anger, and the social bond: A theory of sexual offenders and treatment. Electronic Journal of Sociology. Available at http://www.sociology.org/content/vol003.001/sheff.html

  • Schmucker, M., & Lösel, F. (2017). Sexual offender treatment for reducing recidivism among convicted sex offenders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, T., Palmer, S., Stolpmann, G., Wernicke, M., & Müller, J. L. (2017). Presenting a treatment concept for people with a self-reported sexual interest in children in an outpatient setting. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 7, 117. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpsych.2017.71001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M., & Teasdale, J. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. London: Guildford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seto, M. C. (2012). Is pedophilia a sexual orientation? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41, 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s1050.

  • Shingler, J. (2009). Managing intrusive risky thoughts: What works? Journal of Sexual Aggression, 15(1), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600802542011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szumski, F., Bartels, R. M., Beech, A. R., & Fisher, D. (2018). Distorted cognition related to male sexual offending: The multi-mechanism theory of cognitive distortions (MMT-CD). Aggression and Violent Behavior, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.02.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tangney, J. P. (1995). Recent empirical advances in the study of shame and guilt. American Behavioral Scientist, 38, 1132–1145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tangney, J. P., & Dearing, R. (2002). Shame and guilt. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tangney, J. P., Wagner, P. E., Hill-Barlow, D., Marschall, D. E., & Gramzow, R. (1996). Relation of shame and guilt to constructive versus destructive responses to anger across the lifespan. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(4), 797.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, J. (2017). Compassion focused working in secure forensic care. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, 3(4), 287–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner-Moore, T., & Waterman, M. (2017). Men presenting with sexual thoughts of children or coercion: Flights of fancy or plans for crime? Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(1), 113–124 ISSN 1743-6095.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner-Moore, T., & Waterman, M. G. (2013, April 9–11). Adult men’s typical and atypical sexual thoughts and relationships with sexual offending. In BPS Annual Conference 2013, Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanhoeck, K., Gykiere, K., & Wanzeele, W. (2014). How to not become a sex offender: From “offender therapy” to “offender prevention therapy”. Mental Health & Prevention, 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2014.07.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walton, J. S. (2018). Random assignment in sexual offending programme evaluation: The missing method. Journal of Forensic Practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-08-2017-0032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walton, J. S., & Hocken, K. (in press). Compassion and acceptance as interventions for paraphilic disorders and sexual offending behaviour. Available from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325746252_Compassion_and_Acceptance_as_Interventions_for_Paraphilic_Disorders_and_Sexual_Offending_Behaviour

  • Wenzlaff, R. M., Wegner, D. M., & Roper, D. W. (1988). Depression and mental control: The resurgence of unwanted negative thoughts. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55, 882–892. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.55.6.882.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, K. D., & Nida, S. (2011). Ostracism: Consequences and coping. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20, 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721411402480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HMP Whatton, HMPPS, Nottingham, UK

    Kerensa Hocken

Authors
  1. Kerensa Hocken
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kerensa Hocken .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK

    Rebecca Lievesley

  2. HMP Whatton, HMPPS, Nottingham, UK

    Kerensa Hocken

  3. Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK

    Helen Elliott

  4. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK

    Belinda Winder

  5. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK

    Nicholas Blagden

  6. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK

    Phil Banyard

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Hocken, K. (2018). Safer Living Foundation: The Aurora Project. In: Lievesley, R., Hocken, K., Elliott, H., Winder, B., Blagden, N., Banyard, P. (eds) Sexual Crime and Prevention. Sexual Crime. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98243-4_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation