Victim empathy-based content in aggression treatment: exploring impact within a secure forensic hospital

Thomas Nally; Jane L. Ireland; Leah Greenwood; Carol A. Ireland; Philip Birch

doi:10.1108/JFP-01-2021-0001

Victim empathy-based content in aggression treatment: exploring impact within a secure forensic hospital

Thomas Nally, Jane L. Ireland, Leah Greenwood, Carol A. Ireland, Philip Birch

University of Central Lancashire

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of inclusion of victim empathy-based content in offender treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study first presents a systematic review of 20 papers before proceeding to consider qualitative interviews with therapists (n = 7) and forensic patients (n = 5), who had completed a long-term violence therapy (Life Minus Violence – Enhanced, LMV-E©). The research explored perceptions of forensic patients and treatment facilitators when completing victim empathy work and explored any negative effects this may have.

Findings

Findings from the systematic review indicated five themes: interventions incorporating victim empathy can be effective; there are positive risk-understanding consequences from completing victim empathy work; offenders perceive victim empathy positively; the emotional impact of victim empathy work on offenders’ is poorly explored; and completing victim empathy in treatment groups receives mixed evaluations from offenders. The systematic review was used to inform the interview themes for the resulting qualitative study with facilitators and forensic patients. This study indicated six themes: victim empathy content facilitates change; victim empathy content can be difficult for patients; victim empathy content can lead to an emotional response; victim empathy content can be beneficial, with the process important; victim empathy content can help understand risk, and patients’ experience of treatment begins before attending sessions.

Practical implications

The potential impact of victim empathy content needs to be evaluated before sessions are completed, accounting for client expectations and treatment readiness. This should include ensuring that appropriate support is in place. Any support provided to patients should be regularly reviewed.

Originality/value

The study represents the first to apply detailed analysis to this topic area and with a complex group.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	150-163
Number of pages	27
Journal	Journal of Forensic Practice
Volume	23
Issue number	2
Early online date	08 Jul 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-01-2021-0001
Publication status	Published - 27 Jul 2021

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1108/JFP-01-2021-0001

Cite this

@article{0ff9a1eccd0f422a8d0c28b49c04d573,

title = "Victim empathy-based content in aggression treatment: exploring impact within a secure forensic hospital",

abstract = " Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of inclusion of victim empathy-based content in offender treatment. Design/methodology/approach This study first presents a systematic review of 20 papers before proceeding to consider qualitative interviews with therapists (n = 7) and forensic patients (n = 5), who had completed a long-term violence therapy (Life Minus Violence – Enhanced, LMV-E{\textcopyright}). The research explored perceptions of forensic patients and treatment facilitators when completing victim empathy work and explored any negative effects this may have. Findings Findings from the systematic review indicated five themes: interventions incorporating victim empathy can be effective; there are positive risk-understanding consequences from completing victim empathy work; offenders perceive victim empathy positively; the emotional impact of victim empathy work on offenders{\textquoteright} is poorly explored; and completing victim empathy in treatment groups receives mixed evaluations from offenders. The systematic review was used to inform the interview themes for the resulting qualitative study with facilitators and forensic patients. This study indicated six themes: victim empathy content facilitates change; victim empathy content can be difficult for patients; victim empathy content can lead to an emotional response; victim empathy content can be beneficial, with the process important; victim empathy content can help understand risk, and patients{\textquoteright} experience of treatment begins before attending sessions. Practical implications The potential impact of victim empathy content needs to be evaluated before sessions are completed, accounting for client expectations and treatment readiness. This should include ensuring that appropriate support is in place. Any support provided to patients should be regularly reviewed. Originality/value The study represents the first to apply detailed analysis to this topic area and with a complex group. ",

keywords = "Life minus violence, LMV-E, Offender treatment, Therapy, Trauma, Victim empathy, Violence",

author = "Thomas Nally and Ireland, {Jane L.} and Leah Greenwood and Ireland, {Carol A.} and Philip Birch",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.",

year = "2021",

month = jul,

day = "27",

doi = "10.1108/JFP-01-2021-0001",

language = "English",

volume = "23",

pages = "150--163",

journal = "Journal of Forensic Practice",

issn = "2050-8794",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Victim empathy-based content in aggression treatment

T2 - exploring impact within a secure forensic hospital

AU - Nally, Thomas

AU - Ireland, Jane L.

AU - Greenwood, Leah

AU - Ireland, Carol A.

AU - Birch, Philip

PY - 2021/7/27

Y1 - 2021/7/27

N2 - Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of inclusion of victim empathy-based content in offender treatment. Design/methodology/approach This study first presents a systematic review of 20 papers before proceeding to consider qualitative interviews with therapists (n = 7) and forensic patients (n = 5), who had completed a long-term violence therapy (Life Minus Violence – Enhanced, LMV-E©). The research explored perceptions of forensic patients and treatment facilitators when completing victim empathy work and explored any negative effects this may have. Findings Findings from the systematic review indicated five themes: interventions incorporating victim empathy can be effective; there are positive risk-understanding consequences from completing victim empathy work; offenders perceive victim empathy positively; the emotional impact of victim empathy work on offenders’ is poorly explored; and completing victim empathy in treatment groups receives mixed evaluations from offenders. The systematic review was used to inform the interview themes for the resulting qualitative study with facilitators and forensic patients. This study indicated six themes: victim empathy content facilitates change; victim empathy content can be difficult for patients; victim empathy content can lead to an emotional response; victim empathy content can be beneficial, with the process important; victim empathy content can help understand risk, and patients’ experience of treatment begins before attending sessions. Practical implications The potential impact of victim empathy content needs to be evaluated before sessions are completed, accounting for client expectations and treatment readiness. This should include ensuring that appropriate support is in place. Any support provided to patients should be regularly reviewed. Originality/value The study represents the first to apply detailed analysis to this topic area and with a complex group.

AB - Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of inclusion of victim empathy-based content in offender treatment. Design/methodology/approach This study first presents a systematic review of 20 papers before proceeding to consider qualitative interviews with therapists (n = 7) and forensic patients (n = 5), who had completed a long-term violence therapy (Life Minus Violence – Enhanced, LMV-E©). The research explored perceptions of forensic patients and treatment facilitators when completing victim empathy work and explored any negative effects this may have. Findings Findings from the systematic review indicated five themes: interventions incorporating victim empathy can be effective; there are positive risk-understanding consequences from completing victim empathy work; offenders perceive victim empathy positively; the emotional impact of victim empathy work on offenders’ is poorly explored; and completing victim empathy in treatment groups receives mixed evaluations from offenders. The systematic review was used to inform the interview themes for the resulting qualitative study with facilitators and forensic patients. This study indicated six themes: victim empathy content facilitates change; victim empathy content can be difficult for patients; victim empathy content can lead to an emotional response; victim empathy content can be beneficial, with the process important; victim empathy content can help understand risk, and patients’ experience of treatment begins before attending sessions. Practical implications The potential impact of victim empathy content needs to be evaluated before sessions are completed, accounting for client expectations and treatment readiness. This should include ensuring that appropriate support is in place. Any support provided to patients should be regularly reviewed. Originality/value The study represents the first to apply detailed analysis to this topic area and with a complex group.

KW - Life minus violence

KW - LMV-E

KW - Offender treatment

KW - Therapy

KW - Trauma

KW - Victim empathy

KW - Violence

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JO - Journal of Forensic Practice

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Victim empathy-based content in aggression treatment: exploring impact within a secure forensic hospital

Abstract

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