Claiming the future: The efficacy of a group therapy protocol for sexually abused women within the criminal justice system.

Anger Management

April 2021

Full Citation

Reed, H. (2002). Claiming the future: The efficacy of a group therapy protocol for sexually abused women within the criminal justice system. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Abstract

Recent changes in social awareness have highlighted the essential need for innovative, cost-effective treatment interventions, within the criminal justice system, which specifically address the therapeutic needs of women who have been sexually abused. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a psycho-educational/process therapy group as a treatment intervention for this population. Subjects participating in the study were detainees at a regional detention center for women. Groups consisted of two-hour sessions twice a week over a period of eight consecutive weeks. Seven consecutive groups were conducted over a period of six months. Each session consisted of a psycho-educational segment followed by an activity and interactive discussion between group members facilitated by the group leaders. Group topics included the following: what is abuse, feelings, shame, telling the story, boundaries, anger, forgiveness, and moving on. Expected outcomes of this intervention include a reduction of general psychological and trauma symptomatology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)