Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Science at the Univeristy of Waikato. Available for loan from the University of Waikato library.

The aim of this investigation was to assess and compare the empathetic ability of 7 incarcerated incest offenders who had volunteered to undergo treatment at the Te Piriti Special Treatment Unit. Using a multiple case study design, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of the Victim Impact therapy module (designed to enhance empathy) through therapy and post-treatment administration of a series of both qualitative and quantitative measures of general and victim specific empathy. Pre-therapy, results indicate that this sample of incest offenders possessed an average level of general empathy in comparison with a sample of non offenders, yet lacked the ability to empathise with their victim(s). Post-treatment assessments revealed positive changes in the offender's ability to empathise with their victim. However, levels of general empathy remained the same. The findings of this investigation suggest that (at least for this sample) incest offenders seem to exhibit increased levels of concern for their victims as a result of undergoing specialised therapeutic interventions designed to enhance victim empathy. However, as the treatment of child sex offenders involves more than just empathy enhancement, further research is required to determine if these changes in victim empathy are associated with long-term recidivism.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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