ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some ideas as to why there is preoccupation with demonizing sex offenders in contemporary society and the emotional toll this can exact from counsellors working with this most marginalized of client groups. It examines the costs, benefits, and drawbacks of facilitating individuals to engage at depth with the details of their offending, and with the harm caused to others. Practitioners working with people who have sexually offended will soon realize that much of the work involves helping clients to overcome shame which presents as denial and minimization. Irrespective of whether or not clients are in denial and are able to express empathy for victims, helping them to develop a pro-social identity in place of a shame-saturated one is one way the counsellor can help individuals desist from sexual offending. Some individuals pose such a sexual risk that their lives in the community need to be constrained to protect the public and vulnerable children.
