Project CONSENT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Prevent Sexual Recidivism

Project CONSENT: a Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Prevention of Sexual Recidivism

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual recidivism risk in a Swedish sample of incarcerated men convicted of sexual offenses. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the CBT program CONSENT reduce the risk of recidivism in sexual offenses among males convicted of sexual offending? The CONSENT program, specifically targeting risk factors for sexual recidivism, will be compared with a waiting list. The evaluation will focus on potential change in dynamic risk factors for sexual recidivism. The study is part of the project Preventing Sexual Abuse: CBT Programs for Convicted Men and Women in a Correctional Setting.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the short-term effects of the CONSENT program. To improve participation and responsivity and minimize any unintentional side effects, men's experiences of CONSENT are also sought.

Firstly, clients' changes will be examined in two complementary ways: through professionals' assessments and through clients' assessments using questionnaires. Secondly, changes in risk will be examined at two time points (after the program and at the 4-month follow-up), and the willingness to change in order to obtain additional complementary measures of the intended change process.

The primary research question and hypothesis, based on professionals' assessment (assessment not made by the same person conducting the program), is as follows:

1. Does the CONSENT program reduce the risk of recidivism in sexual offenses, as assessed by professionals, among males convicted of sexual offending (initially assessed as having a moderate risk of sexual offense recidivism)? The main hypothesis is that the estimated risk of recidivism in sexual offenses will be reduced more among men participating in CONSENT than among men on the waiting list, based on professionals' assessments.

   The following secondary research questions complement the primary question:

2. Does social problem-solving change during participation in CONSENT?

3. Does emotional self-regulation change during participation in CONSENT?

4. Does the willingness to change among participants in CONSENT change?

5. What changes are sustained at the four-month follow-up assessment?

6. Does self-reported risk of committing sexual offenses against children change during participation in CONSENT?

7. Do sexual urges involving children change during participation in CONSENT?

Participants will also report any negative side effects and serious adverse events resulting from participating in CONSENT, as well as describe positive and negative experiences related to their participation. Please note that research questions 5 and 6 apply only to individuals convicted of sexual offenses against children and/or who indicate a sexual interest in children in the LASSIE instrument measuring paraphilic interests.

The trial will be conducted within the Swedish Prison and Probation Service at prisons specialized in individuals convicted of sexual offending.

The study population is a subgroup of the study population in another study within the same project. Eligibility criteria for that study:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men aged 18 and above sentenced to imprisonment within the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.
• and offense falls under Chapter 6 of the Swedish Penal Code concerning sexual offenses or relates to child pornography offenses.
• and risk of recidivism for sexual offenses is assessed as "average" or higher according to the Risk Matrix 2000.
• and provided signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with apparent influence at the time of assessment due to severe psychiatric conditions such as pronounced psychotic symptoms or dementia.
• or difficulties conducting interviews and self-assessments/surveys due to language barriers in understanding the Swedish language.
• or difficulties in fully understanding the conditions for consenting to participate.

Additional eligibility criteria for the current trial:

Inclusion Criteria

• Inclusion criteria for Consent are met:
• and the risk of relapse in sexual offenses is assessed as average risk of relapse in sexual offenses with Risk Matrix 2000
• and the participant does not meet the inclusion criteria for SEIF (medium to high risk of relapse in sexual offenses and concurrent paraphilia and/or sexual preoccupation and/or emotional identification with children and/or extensive responsivity issues).
• and a total score (all items included) on The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) of ≤20
• and ≥9 months to halftime of sentence, when it becomes possible to apply for reintegration measures (including 12±2 weeks in the program and 4 weeks without the program, 16±2 weeks on the waitlist/follow-up, and time for assessment and inclusion) or ≥9 months left until conditional release and special conditions that state that reintegration measures are not allowed.
• and written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

- Any exclusion criteria for Consent are met: difficulties in understanding the program's content and carrying it out due to difficulties in understanding the Swedish language

• or severe or ongoing unstable psychiatric conditions or other conditions that hinder participation (high suicide risk, significant psychotic symptoms, diagnosed intellectual disability, or other serious cognitive illness such as dementia)
• or ongoing participation in another psychological program. If potential research subjects have other programs in their sentence plan, participation in the study will be prioritized if it is deemed appropriate in individual cases.