The Socially Skilled Child Molester: Differentiating the Guilty from the Falsely Accused

Course Description

This is a book study the purchase price includes a copy of the book: The Socially Skilled Child Molester: Differentiating the Guilty from the Falsely Accused. This course provides a thorough description of common types of child molesters, most importantly distinguishing between ‘grabbers’ and ‘groomers’. Learners will identify common patterns of inappropriate behavior by abusers that are often overlooked, minimized or explained away. The study offers a unique criminological insight into the mindsets of the empowered, enabled offender. More, importantly it sheds light on exactly what communities can do to become more vigilant. A course for all counseling practitioners and for sex therapists and sex offender therapists as well. Note: The book is provided by mail for both home study and online orders. About the Author: Dr. Carla van Dam is a clinical and forensic psychologist currently working primarily in the State of Washington. She consults with organizations, provides psychological evaluations, trains professional groups on issues regarding child safety, and teaches university classes. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, is licensed as a psychologist in the state of Washington, and registered as a psychologist in the province of British Columbia as well as in the Northwest Territories. In 1986 she received the Canadian Medal of Bravery. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, and has published articles, books, and pamphlets on the topic of child sexual abuse. Her publications are The Socially Skilled Child Molester: Differentiating Sex Offenders from the Falsely Accused (2006), and Identifying Child Molesters: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse by Recognizing the Patterns of the Offenders (2001).

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe how the socially skilled child molester operates.

2. Participants will be able to recognize the possibility of individuals known and trusted being child molesters.

3. Participants will be able to discuss the potential risks involved, the harm caused, and the data trail typically left by child molesters.

4. Participants will be able to describe actuarial risk assessment approaches used in this field.

5. Participants will be able to identify the problems inherent in assigning risk when discussing these types of offenders/criminal activity.

6. Participants will be able to plan how organizations and agencies can protect children from harm, and create safer environments for children.

Total CE Credits: 10.0 CE Credits

Training Agenda:

Hour One

The problem: Child molesters as addicts; Sexual dependence

Hour Two

The molester's natural habitat: The social psychopath,the eager beaver, the saint, the carmudgeon, crude groomers

Hour Three

Current practices: Teaching children to protect themselves, Taking offenders to court

Hour Four

Not all molesters are alike: Groomers, Grabbers

Hour Five

Common misperceptions: Defining child sexual abuse, Explanations

Hour Six

Accurately differentiating danger: Groomer pathology, false allegations, gray areas in the age of consent, age cutoffs that decriminalize child sexual abuse, thoughtful vs manipulative groomer, recognizing the manipulative groomer

Hour Seven

Framework for understanding child sexual abuse

Hour Eight

Interviewing child molesters: Identifying lies, phony remorse, creating relationship, inconsistencies, rehearsed speech, too much information, going on the offensive

Hour Nine

Predicting risk: Community notification, actuarial data, defining recidivism, base rate, determining risk, corroborating data, the problem with numbers

Hour Ten

Incorporating corroborating evidence: Victims, parents, groups, organizations, officials, custody battles, testing and evaluation.

Methods: Pre-test, Book Study, Posttest and Evaluation Q&A by Email

CE Broker Course #: Online: To Be Announced

Content Area: Sexual Abuse

Purpose: This offering is intended for all counseling practitioners interested in learning how to identify the patterns and attitudes of child molesters. The course is intended for any health care practitioner who needs to enhance their ability to observe for the cues and behaviors of potential child molesters. A course for sex therapists and sex offender therapists as well.