The Stichting Ambulante Preventie Projecten method: A comparative study of recidivism in first offenders in a Dutch outpatient setting

In this study, a comparison was made between 56 first-time sex offenders in an outpatient treatment program and 56 offenders who did not receive any treatment in an attempt to determine the difference in recidivism between the two groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups. The importance of involving first-time offenders in treatment during their first contact with the judicial system is discussed. The authors suggest the necessity for differing approaches to the offenders according to their specific problem (exhibitionists, extrafamiliar child molesters, incest offenders) and for long-term research to determine the efficacy of the different types of treatment in this offender population.