Working With Denial
| DOI | 10.1177/026455050004700215 |
| Date | 01 June 2000 |
| Author | Catrina Flynn |
| Published date | 01 June 2000 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
142
Working
With
Denial
During
the
two
day
’Lakes
Conference’,
a
range
of
contributors
(from
independent
trainers
to
sex
offender
specialist
probation
officers)
explored
the
theory
underpinning
their
own
approach,
the
methods
used
and
the
dynamics
involved
in
such
work.
Whilst
the
formal
seminars
were
highly
informative
and
stimulating,
the
interactive
workshops
brought
home
the
power
and
versatility
of
work
currently
being
done
with
those
in
denial.
Deni~rs’ Groups -
Amongst
the
contributors
were
Bron
Roberts
and
Clark
Baim,
who
in
a
previous
edition
of
this
Journal
(September,
1999)
described
the
programme
for
deniers
of
sexual
abuse
set
up
in
Middlesex
in
partnership
with
the
Geese
Theatre
Company.
This
programme
has
been
developed
over
the
last
six
years
to
counter
the
frustration
amongst
practitioners
that
the
majority
of
sex
offenders
were
refused
access
to
treatment
programmes
because
they
were
denying
or
minimising
their
offending.
This,
despite
the
fact
that
research
indicates
that
offenders
who
complete
treatment
but
deny
their
offence
are
less
likely
to
reoffend
than those
who
admit
their
offence
but
do not
complete
treatment.
Skilfully
run
experiential
workshops
allowed
participants
to
see
how
the
deniers’
groups
focus
on
hypothetical
situations
and
work
with
clients
’at
one
step
removed’.
The
groups
are
encouraged
to
resolve
difficulties
and
utilise
members’
own
material
and
energy
to
encourage
changes
in
perception
and
behaviour.
Participants
were
able
to
practise
facilitating
for
themselves
and
had
their
learning
and
confidence
boosted
as
a
result.
One
particularly
impressive
aspect
of
this
approach
is
that
it
creates
a
natural
forum
for
working
with
difference.
Group
members
are
encouraged
to
explore
the
effects
on
a
specific
scenario
of
differences
in
race,
gender,
culture
and
religion.
Linked
to
this
is
the
adaptability
of
the
approach
for
work
with
different
types
of
clients
in
different
settings.
Participants
explored
ideas
not
just
for
work
with
sex
offenders
but
also
with
lifers,
young
offenders,
racially-motivated
offenders
and
domestic
violence
perpetrators.
As
a
family
court
welfare
officer
I found
that
certain
techniques
could
be
easily
incorporated
into
interviews
in
cases
where
there
have
been
allegations
of
domestic
violence.
Working
With
Staff -
Ray
Wyre
gave
an
interesting
and
very
constructive
presentation
on
’Creating
a
Safe
Environment
for
Staff’.
He
drew
on
his
experience
of
assessing
and
working
with
a
range
of
professionals
who
have
been
suspended
from
work
because
of
potential
sexual
abuse
but
where
a
prosecution
has
not
(yet)
been
initiated.
He
gave
numerous
examples
of
inappropriate
behaviours
being
identified
and
worked
on,
without
it
being
necessary
to
obtain
admissions
of
offences
being
committed.
He
explained
the
helpful
idea
of
an
’arena
of
safety’
for
both
individuals
and
agencies.
This
emphasises
clarity
in
working
practice,
boundaries
and
relationships
in
order
to
protect
both
clients
and
staff.
Adalcscents -
Derek
Green
and
Paul
Roffee
(Ray
Wyre
Associates)
gave
talks
on
’Adolescents
and
Families
in
Denial’ .
Although
their
presentations
were
far
less
polished,
they
stimulated
thinking
about
distinguishing
between
healthy
and
dysfunctional
sexual
behaviour
in
adolescents
and
also
about
what
forces
conspire
to
maintain
denial
amongst
the
relations
of
abusers.
This
was
a
very
informative
and
thought-provoking
conference,
the
dynamics
of
which
mirrored
the
interactive
nature
of
the
Middlesex
deniers’
groups
themselves.
My
experience
of
the
annual
Lakes
Conferences
is
that
they
have
consistently
been
of
a
good
standard,
encouraging
a
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