‘Can they see in the door?’ Issues in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders who have intellectual disabilities

As J entered the therapy room and sat down, he asked me, ‘Can they see in the door?’ His question conveyed a mixture of almost voyeuristic excitement, as though he hoped he would be seen, and of shame – a fear of what he might reveal if he was seen. This confusion of emotion is often apparent in the sex offenders with intellectual disabilities who come for treatment and assessment at Respond.