Perspectives
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California Coalition on Sexual Offending (CCOSO) Quarterly Newsletter Perspectives Winter 2014 / 2015 What is Internet Sex Offenders—Horse of a Different Color CCOSO? Elaine Brady, Ph.D., MFT, CAS, CSAT-S CCOSO is a recognized leader in providing expertise, The Internet has spawned a growing have acted upon if it had not been for the training, education, phenomenon of “virtual” and “pseudo” Internet, resulting in what came to be and legislative pedophiles that do not match the known as the “fantasy guidance in traditional or “classic” pedophile profile defense” (Yamagami, 2000). These cases treatment, (e.g., they had no prior history of appear to suggest that successful forensic management and psychiatric issues, criminal behavior or evaluation of Internet Sex Offenders research related to sexual interest in minors). Alarmingly, (ISO’s) may hinge on one’s ability to sexual offending. the FBI reported a 2,000% increase in the understand the addictive qualities of the CCOSO and its number of cases involving sex crimes Internet and on one’s ability to explain chapters strengthen against children as a result of online how that addictive process inexorably local and statewide contact (e.g. Internet Sex Offenders - draws some individuals into illicit agencies and ISOs) between the years 1996 to 2007 behavior. professionals to (Department of Commerce and Justice, enhance community 2012), years corresponding to the rapid Young (2000, 2004) first introduced the safety. “penetration” of computers and the term virtual pedophiles and offered a Internet into American households (U.S. model for differential diagnosis between Census Bureau, 2014). this group and classic pedophiles. Brady (2007, 2013) later proposed the existence In this Issue: The ability to distinguish between what is of a sub-group of virtual pedophiles, being termed “virtual” offenders and true which she termed pseudo-pedophiles and Internet Sex Offenders 1 or “classic” pedophiles is crucial to the expanded on Young’s model. This article evaluation of potential risk to others, attempts to describe and contrast online Editor’s Note 2 formulation of treatment design and to the virtual, pseudo, and classic offenders and assessment of probable rehabilitation to offer a model for differential diagnosis Chair’s Corner 3 success. Such differentiation can also between these three groups. Although have a significant impact on legal both studies (Young, 2000, 2004; Brady, A Case of Resilience 10 proceedings, as demonstrated by The 2007, 2013) involved small sample sizes to Cyber Bullying United States versus McBroom (1997) (N = 22 and 20 respectively) and were case, in which the court accepted a based on clinical forensic assessment, CCOSO Chapters 13 differential diagnosis distinguishing empirical works that support their between reduced capacity for choice due findings will be cited. This model is to an impulse-control disorder (cybersex offered as an aid in the assessment of addiction) and one of pedophilia. Just ISOs and to serve as a guide to future two years later another case, The United research activities regarding assessment States versus Naughton (1999), resulted and treatment of this sex offender group. in a hung jury after the defendant’s attorney argued that Naughton was only (Continued on Page 4) playing out a fantasy that he would never 1 Perspectives: CCOSO Quarterly Newsletter Perspectives is published quarterly for and on the behalf of the membership. Our goal is to help our membership keep up on current clinical information, research findings, and public policy issues relating to sex offenders. We hope to provide information that is useful for treatment professionals and other individuals involved directly or indirectly with sex offenders or sexual abuse. Potential Authors/Contributors: Perspectives is an important forum for clinicians, researchers, probation/parole officers, social service workers, and policy makers to share their work with other professionals, providing contemporary and innovative information that enhances the field. Contributors are invited to submit in a concise format anything related to their work with sex offenders (e.g., assessment, interventions, supervision, management, and/or policy. Submissions should be similar to News Briefs, defined as “a brief item of print or broadcast news” (U.S. English Dictionary—see http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/english/news-brief). Submissions should include title, author's name and professional affiliation. Reproduction of other authors' original work must be accompanied by permission of those authors. Briefs must be typed and sent as a Word document (single spaced, Times New Roman, 11 point font) to Lucinda A. Lee Rasmussen, Ph.D., LCSW, Editor, at [email protected]. Briefs should be no more than 600 words. Longer articles may be accepted at the discretion of the Editor. (In this case, please contact the Editor prior to submission to review whether the article is suitable for Perspectives). References should be cited in the text of the article and a Reference List provided to the Editor; however, due to space limitations, it will not be published in the Newsletter. Authors must make the Reference List available to the CCOSO readership by providing their contact information (email, Internet website, or phone, which will be published with the article. Deadline for articles for the Spring 2015 Newsletter is April 6, 2015. Editor: Lucinda A. Lee Rasmussen, Ph.D., LCSW (E-mail: [email protected]) Committee Members: L.C. Miccio-Fonseca, Ph.D. and Joel Levinson, LMFT. Editor’s Note: Lucinda A. Lee Rasmussen, Ph.D., LCSW This issue of Perspectives focuses on the challenges of addressing sexual offending in the technological age of the Internet. Elaine Brady, Ph.D. presents the problems encountered in identifying Internet sex offenders, describing a framework that differentiates them in three categories: Classic, Virtual, and Pseudo. Dr. Brady’s categories draw distinctions between these types according to such variables as victim focus, type of contact (hidden or open), type of pornography (adult or child), remorse showed, and risk level. She presents empirical data to support her framework. Please renew your membership now by going to CCOSO.org/membership and Michelle Smith Fuks highlights the problem of sexual download a membership application. harassment and cyber bullying through social media. She discusses the case of a young woman who reported being Pay online or make checks out to raped and was later subjected to cyber bullying related to the CCOSO and mail to: alleged incident. She explores the protective factors that th helped the young woman to be resilient and become an CCOSO, 3407 W. 6 Street, Suite 827 advocate for other victims of sexually related cyber bullying. 2 Chair’s Corner — “Passing the Torch” Retiring Chair: Incoming Chair: Christina Allbright, J.D. Gerry Blasingame, Psy.D., LMFT Fellow CCOSO Members: CCOSO Members: Happy Holidays! I am pleased to announce that we have I’m excited as I review the progress made by the Board, a new Executive Committee, with Gerry Blasingame the Board’s committees and CCOSO members over serving as Chair, Leesl Hermann as Vice-Chair, Chris recent years. We’ve come a long way since the CCOSO Bennett as Correspondent, Liz Horrillo as Recorder, and was birthed in the late 1980s! I’m also excited as I look Sean Carey as Treasurer. This fine team will carry on in forward to the next few years. The CCOSO has many 2015 and beyond, hopefully with a new Executive opportunities to explore and possibilities for growth and Director on board as well. We have FINALLY become greater member benefits. I’m looking forward to my term financially solvent and up-to-date with taxes and as Chairperson. obligations. We have a great conference being planned for May and are on the cutting edge of research, Our conference committee is working diligently to bring us another excellent training conference, this year in legislation, and policy. I want to thank the officers, Monterey. This will be a great opportunity for networking committee chairs, and Board members who have made as well as fulfilling quite a number of continuing these past two years rewarding and productive. I plan on education requirements. Mark your calendars for May 12 staying on in some educational and/or legal capacity, and to 15, 2015! look forward to continuing to work with this great organization in the years to come. Gerry D. Blasingame, Psy.D., LMFT Christina Allbright, J.D., Chair of CCOSO (2012-2014) Chair of CCOSO (2015-2017) Training, Program Development, and Attorney at Law, Eureka, California Consultation, Redding, California Officers of the CCOSO Board Chairperson Recording Secretary Gerry D. Blasingame, Psy.D. (530) 524-4761 Elizabeth Horrillo, LMFT [email protected] (916) 729– 6096 [email protected] Vice-Chairperson Treasurer Leesl Herman Sean Carey, LCSW (310) 904-3776 (760) 241-3744 [email protected] [email protected] Correspondent Christine Bennett, LMFT (925) 942– 0733 [email protected] 3 Internet Sex Offenders (continued from Page 1) Young (1996, 1998) was one of the first American the child, then revealing true identity and pursuing clinicians to identify Internet Addiction among sex contact. offenders and address the growing phenomenon of non- traditional Internet Sex Offenders (ISO’s). Young When they “travel” to meet a child, classic pedophiles founded The Center for Internet Addiction in 1995; typically carry a “sex kit” and child oriented toys/candy. developed the first validated measure for Internet Post-arrest findings reveal an exclusive focus on children, addiction ( i.e., Internet Addiction Test - IAT, often including child psychology books and collections of 1996,1998); was the first to offer a differential diagnosis artwork and pornography. They tend to lack remorse model based on an addiction paradigm (2000, 2004); and regarding their behavior and “blame the victim” to was the first to offer a treatment model for Internet rationalize their sexual proclivities as “natural.” Given Addiction (2010, 2011).