Sexual Behaviours

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Sexual Behaviours

The Sexual Behaviours group aims to measure psychological constructs relevant to sexual offending behaviour and to develop effective interventions. Assessment-based research programs include screening for emotional identification with children, examining the underlying structure of sexual assault and coercive sexual attraction, and the role of testosterone in sexual offending. We collaborate extensively with students and researchers at other hospitals and universities, such as Carleton University, Ontario Tech, Simon Fraser University, Université de Montréal, and The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Group. We also house Talking for Change, a national program offering therapy, as well as anonymous phone and chat support, to adults who are concerned about acting on their sexual attraction to children.

Current Studies

Evaluating Talking for Change
This study examines client perspectives, feasibility, and reduction of risk and client distress over time for those involved in the Talking for Change (TFC) program. TFC is the first comprehensive secondary child sexual abuse prevention program in Canada, and provides services to non-justice involved people who are concerned about their attractions, their risk of sexually abusing children or using child sexual exploitation material online. With funding from Public Safety Canada, we have been evaluating the helpline and therapy components of TFC to make them responsive to client perspectives, and gathering early evidence of effectiveness. We are expanding TFC based on the results of this study and preparing for a full, randomized controlled trial with funding from the Oak Foundation, via a sub-award granted by Johns Hopkins University.