Introduction
Dealing with child sex offenders – whether during investigations, management of offenders within the community or within prison – is fast becoming a reality for many professionals who work in the field of law enforcement and prevention.
Given the nature of abuse and the age of the victims, dealing with child sex offenders can be difficult. In light of this, it is essential that professionals are armed with the information and practical skills that they can use when working with these offenders.
Understanding the psychology of offending and how child sex offenders operate, can help to better identify behaviour that could indicate abuse is taking place or is being planned. By understanding the effects of your own behaviour and use of language, it is possible to engage with child sex offenders to get possible intelligence and evidence.
On balance, these skills are about identifying offenders, securing convictions, managing offenders in the community and ultimately reducing the threat of the sexual abuse of children.
The course
This Specialist course in understanding child sex offenders has been designed specifically to impart these skills. It aims to provide attendees with a good understanding of sex offenders who abuse children, focusing on the importance of intelligence to inform effective practices when dealing with offenders.
Benefits to the delegate
At the end of the course delegates will
o be able to define serious sexual offending
o understand the spiral of sexual abuse – a theoretical model for understanding and explaining child sexual abuse
o Understand and identify ‘grooming’ behaviour
o be introduced to practical interviewing techniques for child sex offenders
o have covered issues on offenders who cross international borders to sexually abuse children
o understand the use of the internet by offenders
o have explored the issues relating to women who sexually offend against children
The course draws upon pre-recorded interviews with child sex offenders who had entered into a clinical treatment programme and had been the subject of subsequent behavioural studies.
The course material is aimed at personnel who have a direct working interest in this area of criminality and who already have some knowledge of the basic elements involved. It is an opportunity for practitioners to have access to the most current and useful knowledge and information available to assist in their work.
Who should attend?
o Police officers involved in interviewing and investigating an allegation or offences where child sex abuse is a factor
o Professionals responsible for the management of child sex offenders in the community
o Criminal justice professionals who are required to work with child sex offenders
o Staff of Children’s charities and victim support groups
Speaker
Joe Sullivan MA (Crim), BA (Hons), CQSW, Dip Psych
Joe Sullivan is a recognised authority on this subject now seconded to CEOP. He is an Honorary Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Birmingham. He has assisted police forces in the UK and in other European countries on major crime enquiries involving the sexual murder of children, child abduction, organised child crime abuse and the sexual abuse of children on the internet.
Course Languages
The course will be delivered in English and simultaneously translated into French.
Duration
This is a two day course
Dates
23rd – 24th October 2007
Course fees
GBP £250 (EUR €375) per delegate
Accommodation
Delegates are required to make their own arrangements for any overnight accommodation they may require.
Further information
For further information and to make a booking for this course, please contact the training team on +44 (0)20 7238 2315 / 2314 or email training@ceop.gsi.gov.uk
