| In order to investigate differences in attitudes toward adolescent sexual offenders, 133 counseling professionals/ paraprofessionals were recruited from Wolverine Human Services, located in Saginaw and Vassar, Michigan. The participants were assessed using the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offender Scale (CATSO) (Church, Wakeman, Miller, Clements, & Sun, 2008). Of the 133 participants included in the study, 32.3% (n = 43) of the participants were female and 67.7% (n = 90) were male. Years of experience working directly with adolescent sexual offenders of participants ranged from zero to 18 years (M = 2.48 years, SD = 3.48). The number of months participants received sexual offender training ranged from zero to 60 (M = 3.44, SD = 9.48). No statistically significant differences in attitudes were found between females and males toward adolescent sexual offenders. In addition, no statistically significant correlation was found between years of experience and the four factors on the CATSO survey (Social Isolation, Capacity to Change, Severity/Dangerousness, and Deviancy). However, a significant relationship was found between experience and the Deviancy factor. No statistically significant correlation was found between months of training and attitudes. Overall attitudes of counseling professionals/ paraprofessionals towards adolescent sexual offenders were positive. The results of this study are encouraging. Counseling professionals/ paraprofessionals who believe they may be interested in counseling adolescent sexual offenders need not feel constrained because of their gender, years of experience, and training. |
