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In response to media enquiries regarding comments made by an academic in a newspaper today (August 3), a spokesperson for the Correctional Services Department (CSD) said the following:
"To address the rehabilitation needs of sex offenders and to reduce re-offending risks, CSD provides a systematic psychological assessment and treatment for sex offenders. Apart from encouraging them to participate in treatment programmes, the department provides a suitable treatment environment to help them change their offending behaviour.
ˇ§Nowadays, most clinical psychologists do not use electro-convulsive therapy for treatment of sex offenders. For those suffering from voyeurism, the department's clinical psychologists adopt relevant cognitive behavioural therapy to change their offending behaviour. The treatment programme mainly includes strengthening their knowledge on sex, rectifying their deviant sexual attitude and dealing with their deviant sexual interest, helping them understand their criminogenic factors, enhancing their victim empathy and relapse prevention, etc.
ˇ§For a sexual offender sentenced to more than two years, upon his discharge, the Post-Release Supervision Board will determine the length of his supervision period. He will be under the supervision of a team of staff from Correctional Services Department and Social Welfare Department. In addition, the Post-Release Board may direct him to attend psychological or psychiatric follow-up services to ensure that he can receive proper treatment and assistance,ˇ¨ the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, August 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:30
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