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Alexandra Schmidt is a 2013 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Santa Barbara.

Keywords

sexual offenders, recidivism, aftercare

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

The recidivism rate of eighteen sex offenders participating in Stepping Up, a voluntary aftercare program, was compared to the overall recidivism rate of convicted sexual offenders in California in order to determine the effectiveness of voluntary participation in a post-mandated treatment program. Attendance for a minimum of six months in Stepping Up was required for inclusion in the study, and recidivism rates were calculated by a review of records. Although participants in the Stepping Up aftercare program had a re-offense rate of 0%, results were not statistically significant when compared with California's overall recidivism rates. While a 0% recidivism rate is noteworthy when compared with the statewide average of 9.1%; the small size of this initial study is a barrier to meaningful statistical analysis. Additional studies of larger similar groups are recommended in order to determine the potential value of aftercare as a protective factor against recidivism. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible at the Ohiolink ETD center, http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd

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