Print

Juvenile practice refers to treatment, case management, supervision, program design and administration, and research pertaining to work with children who display sexual behavior problems and adolescents who have engaged in sexually abusive behavior, or other sexual behavior problems. The following buttons provide information about and links to ATSA’s major activities and resources directed toward supporting effective juvenile practice.

Juvenile Meeting Place for Practitioners

 

The ATSA Juvenile Practice Committee is hosting Juvenile Meeting Place for Practitioners. Learn more about the upcoming meetings by viewing the current flyer.

Sign up now as attendance is limited to the first 40 registants.

ATSA Master Classes

The ATSA Master Classes are premiere online trainings designed to help professionals involved in the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of individuals who have sexually abused achieve a high level of professional excellence. Here we have selected those Master Classes related to juvenile practice.

ATSA Practice Guidelines for Assessment, Treatment, and Intervention with Adolescents Who Have Engaged in Sexually Abusive Behavior (2017)

 

Supplemental Documents:

APPENDIX: 2017 ATSA Practice Guidelines for Assessment, Treatment, and Intervention with Adolescents Who Have Engaged in Sexually Abusive Behavior

This appendix is intended to supplement the adolescent practice guidelines that ATSA published in 2017. The guidelines intentionally did not include references or a bibliography, but it is nonetheless useful to have a sense or overview of the research and theory that informed their development. This should provide better understanding of the recommendations and practice advice.

Informational Brief: The Use of the Polygraph with Juveniles Who Have Engaged in Sexually Abusive Behavior

The assessment, treatment, supervision, and case management of adolescents who have sexual problems or offending behaviors are recognized as both complex and different from services provided to adults. This can be particularly challenging when these adolescents also have intellectual disabilities. This information packet summarizes much of what is known about assessment and treatment for this client population, and provides suggestions regarding appropriate assessment strategies, and emphasizes the need to properly consider the intellectual disability status.

To download and learn more about the Assessment And Treatment Of Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities Who Exhibit Sexual Problems Or Offending Behaviors click here.

The Report of the ATSA Task Force on Children With Sexual Behavior Problems was produced by a group of practitioners and researchers who specialized in work with pre-adolescent and younger children who have engaged in problematic sexual behavior. The report offers a broad view of children with sexual behavior problems, and principles of and approaches to assessment and treatment. The report, published by ATSA in 2006, is currently under revision and an updated version is likely in early 2020.


To download and learn more about the Task Force on Children with Sexual Behavior Problem's Report click here.
Publish Date:
2017
 
Downloads:
File Description
Code of Ethics (PDF) A publicly available digital version of the Code of Ethics.
   
 
Description: 

The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) represents professionals committed to the welfare of their clientele, the community, and their professional colleagues. Based upon a foundation of theory and research, as well as knowledge and skill, professions are self-regulating. An inherent assumption in this process is the adoption and adherence to a Code of Ethics. ATSA’s Code of Ethics is intended to reflect scientifically informed and professionally accepted beliefs regarding professional behavior and conduct.

As members of ATSA, a voluntary association whose members accept its ethical standards as part of their choice to affiliate, the membership has both expected duties to perform, as well as rights to be protected.

The juvenile practice committee and other ATSA working groups have and continue to develop brief fact and informational materials intended to help inform and guide best practice in working with children and adolescents who have engaged in abusive or problematic sexual behavior. In some cases, fact or informational sheets refer to “juveniles” or “adolescents” in their titles. In these cases, the use of each term refers to the specific focus of the document, either with broad application to juveniles, typically aged 7-17, or more specifically to adolescents only.

Amicus Brief on behalf of Juvenile Law Center, in support of appeal of dismissal of petition for post-conviction relief, Superior Court of New Jersey.

click here to review.
<

Coming Soon

The juvenile practice committee is chaired by the juvenile practice representative of the ATSA Executive Board, and consists of practitioners, researchers, and other professionals who work with children with sexual behavior problems and adolescents who have engaged in sexually abusive behavior. Much of the work of the juvenile practice committee is completed through several subcommittees, which focus on further developing ATSA’s strengths and expertise in juvenile practice, reviewing and developing juvenile best practice materials and resources, continuing to build the evidence-base for juvenile practice, and building and strengthening communication with practitioners represented both in ATSA membership and outside of ATSA.

Click here to leave a comment, question or feedback for the Juvenile Practice Committee.