1. Not in my Neighborhood! Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT Founding Director The Sexual Recovery Institute (SRI) - Los Angeles www.sexualrecovery.com

4. Common Offender Myths Myth: “They’re dirty old men” Fact: Most offenders report having committed their first offense by age 16 Myth: “Children must always watch out for strangers!” Fact: The vast majority of sexual offenders are known to their victims Myth: They are monsters Fact : Most are law abiding, working citizens and neighbors without prior history of illegal behavior or arrest Myth: They are incurable Fact: There are many types of offenders, most of whom have a less than a 10% likelihood of recidivism if provided useful treatment and a less than 17% likelihood of recidivism once caught, even without treatment Myth: The majority of sexual offenders are caught, convicted, and in prison Fact: Only a fraction of those who commit sexual assault are apprehended and convicted for their crimes. Most convicted sex offenders eventually are released to the community under probation or parole supervision Myth: "All sex offenders are male” Fact: The vast majority of sex offenders are male. However, females also commit sexual crimes. Approximately 5% of all sexual offenders are female Myth: "Youths do not commit sex offenses” Fact: Adolescents are responsible for a significant number of rape and child molestation cases each year

5. Common Myths about Sex Offenders Myth: “They’re dirty old men” Fact: Most offenders report having committed their first offense by age 16 Myth: “Children must always watch out for strangers!” Fact: The vast majority of sexual offenders are known to their victims Myth: They are monsters Fact : Most are law abiding, working citizens and neighbors without prior history of illegal behavior or arrest Myth: They are incurable Fact: There are many types of offenders, most of whom have a less than a 10% likelihood of recidivism if provided useful treatment and a less than 17% likelihood of recidivism once caught, even without treatment Myth: The majority of sexual offenders are caught, convicted, and in prison Fact: Only a fraction of those who commit sexual assault are apprehended and convicted for their crimes. Most convicted sex offenders eventually are released to the community under probation or parole supervision Myth: “All sex offenders are male” Fact: The vast majority of sex offenders are male. However, females also commit sexual crimes. Approximately 5% of all sexual offenders are female Myth: "Youths do not commit sex offenses” Fact: Adolescents are responsible for a significant number of rape and child molestation cases each year

24. Not in my Neighborhood: Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Understanding and Working with Functional Sex Offenders Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT Founding Director The Sexual Recovery Institute (SRI) - Los Angeles www.sexualrecovery.com