Evidence brief (Ministry of Justice), September 2016

First edition completed: May 2015. Second edition completed: September 2016.

This brief covers adult offenders aged 18 and
over who offend sexually against children
(child sex offenders) and/or against other
adults.

In New Zealand, the Department of
Corrections (Corrections) provides treatment
for child sex offenders in its special treatment
units at Rolleston Prison (Christchurch) and
Auckland Prison.

Corrections also funds providers to deliver its
child sex offender treatment programme in
community settings.

Eight international meta-analyses found that
sex offender treatment for adults reduces
recorded sexual reoffending against children
and adults, as well as general reoffending,
both of which are typically measured as
rearrest or reconviction.

New Zealand studies have found that child
sex offender treatment is effective in this
country. For example, a 2012 study found
that fewer child sex offenders were charged
with a new sexual offence (7%) than would
be expected (10%) had they not received
treatment.

One challenge is that recorded reoffending is
not an accurate measure of the extent of
sexual reoffending because these offences
are under-reported and many reported cases
do not proceed to conviction. (Overview). Record #5985