Session DetAILS
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Ryan Shields, PhD
Contact
Ryan T. Shields, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Criminology and Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Prior to joining UMass Lowell, he was an assistant scientist and the Associate Director of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His research is primarily centered on the intersection of criminal justice and public health. He studies child sexual abuse, sexual abuse prevention, and sex crime policy. His research typically focuses on youths and young adults with problem sexual behavior. He is one of the co-developers of the Help Wanted Prevention Intervention.
Meets Florida Requirements
Meets Florida Requirements:
64B4-7.0081 Requirements to be a Qualified Practitioner for Completing Risk Assessments and Treatment of Sexual Offenders.
(4) A qualified practitioner under this rule shall possess 40 hours of graduate coursework and/or post degree continuing education in all of the following core areas with a minimum of three (3) hours per area:
(a) Etiological theories of sexual deviance, criminality, and aggression;
(f) Safety planning, for use of the Internet, and/or other new technologies which allow access to sexual material or simulation of sexual activities, and Family Safety planning related to contact with children;
(i) Understanding the role of early trauma, the intergenerational cycle of abuse, other environmental, social, and neurobiological factors that contribute to the development of sexually abusive behaviors, and trauma-informed practices;
(k) Impact of sexually abusive behaviors on victims.
64B4-7.007 Requirement to Hold Oneself Out as Qualified to Practice Juvenile Sex Offender Therapy
1. (c) Interaction between sexuality and the dynamics of interpersonal and family relationships;
1. (f) Victim empathy and victimology;
Working with Individuals who are Attracted to Children: Implications for Prevention and Treatment
Saturday 9:00am – 10:30am EST – 1.5 CEU Awarded
Over the past decade, there has been increasing support for the development of sexual abuse perpetration prevention programs. At the same time, there has been increasing clinical and scholarly interest in people who are sexually attracted to children. As sexual interest in children is one risk factor for sexual abuse, better understanding the needs and experiences of this particular population is important for clinicians, public health actors, and policymakers. This presentation offers a critical overview of this issue. Dr. Shields will first discuss the public health approach to child sexual abuse prevention. He will then offer lessons and recommendations informed by the Help Wanted Prevention Intervention, an online prevention intervention for people who are attracted to children. Finally, Dr. Jill Levenson will close with a discussion of the implications for clinical work with people who are attracted to children.
Learning Goals:
- At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to explain the public health approach to child sexual abuse prevention.
- At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to describe the core components of the Help Wanted Prevention Intervention.
- At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to identify the core components of successful clinical work with people who are attracted to children.