A Delicate Dance: Ethical and Systemic Issues in Providing Community-Based Sex Offender Treatment

Sex offender treatment providers are ethically responsible for their client's treatment; yet they are morally bound to protect society. Those who treat court-mandated clients are required to violate client confidentiality and report to authorities any disclosures made by clients during the treatment process. Using in-depth interviews (n = 22), this study focused on the perceptions of community-based sex offender treatment providers to explore ethical issues stemming from balancing a duty of care to the client with the mandated reporting requirements of the criminal justice system, and the difficulties of working within two bureaucratic systems (i.e., correctional and health systems). Results are discussed, followed by study limitations, suggestions for future research, and policy recommendations.