SAFE-T Program

The Sexual Abuse, Family Education, and Treatment (SAFE–T) Program is a specialized, community-based program that provides assessment, treatment, consultation, and training to 1) Children and youth up to 19-years of age who have experienced intrafamilial sexual abuse, 2) Children under age 12 who are exhibiting concerning sexualized behaviour, and 3) Adolescents who have offended sexually.

The program is initiated with a comprehensive clinical and psychological assessment that assists in the development of individualized treatment plans for each client and their family. Although the course of treatment depends on the clinical need, availability, and participation of family members, clients are typically involved in concurrent individual, group and family therapy. SAFE–T’s main treatment model is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but other theoretical models may be incorporated (i.e. Schema Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, etc.)

SAFE-T is committed to conducting research in the areas of child sexual abuse, sexualized behaviour in children and adolescents who have offended sexually. Our treatment is uniquely tailored to respond to the strengths and challenges of individuals and families with the overarching goal of healthy future relationships.

In a previous 10-year (1999) follow-up study and a recent 20-year (2009) follow up study of adolescents who have sexually offended and completed their treatment at SAFE-T; results continue to support the efficacy of SAFE–T’s treatment techniques for reducing the risk of adolescent sexual recidivism. Relative to the comparison group, both studies showed there was a 72% reduction in sexual recidivism for adolescents completing at least 12-months of assessment and treatment.

SAFE-T’s clinicians continue to publish articles on a regular basis.