Sex Offenders: The Four Conditions Model

482 Words1 Page

The Four Preconditions Model was a vital beginning in giving paedophiles a thorough theory that made an incomprehensible crime into one that could be seen as a very real possibility. It gave paedophilia research an inclusive approach when previously there were only single factor theories that regularly fell short (Howells, 1994). Not only was it the first comprehensive theory, it laid the groundwork to future research with the aim of inclusivity and flexibility to adjust depending on individual factors and differences between sex crimes. Ward and Siegert’s pathway model was the first to follow Finkelhor’s approach thus starting a trend in the science community to improve and adapt where this model fell short (Ward, Polaschek, & Beech, 2006). These advances in research and ways to approach sex offending have been massively influential to the current Risk–Need–Responsivity treatment which has been considered the best model that exists for determining offender treatment, and some of the best risk-assessment tools used on offenders are based on it (D. Andrews, Bonta, Wormith, & DA. Andrews, 2011). In addition, the current Integrated Theory of Sexual …show more content…

In addition, a massive flaw with the theory is that it lacks any significant clinical utility and serves mainly as educational. The model does not include cognitive factors that have been proven to be vital aspect to child sex offences (Ward & Hudson, 2001). The model does not elaborate on the pathways individual offenders take that lead to a specific form of abuse thus creating confusion as to how each individual factor influences the type of abuse. There are core components that are lacking of evidence, such as arousal, that open the model up for scrutiny when using it to inform treatment. If the model fails to properly inform treatment, the risk of re-offending increases

Open Document