National evaluation of Medication to Manage Sexual Arousal
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A National Evaluation of Medication to Manage Sexual Arousal in individuals convicted of a sexual offence.
IRAS ID
228963
Contact name
Belinda Winder
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham Trent University
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 10 months, 5 days
Research summary
The proposed research will evaluate Medication used to Manage Sexual Arousal (MMSA) with individuals convicted of a sexual offence. This area of research is of importance to the health of both the patients and the public. Victims of sexual offences frequently develop mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) as a result of their abuse. Individuals convicted of a sexual offence often struggle with self-harm and depression (and other mental health difficulties) as a consequence of their acts of abuse and/or imprisonment. It is essential that the treatment we give to these individuals is effective so that when individuals are released they do not re-offend and create more victims. Whilst there are a number of factors that are linked to sexual re-offending, the largest problem is an obsession with sex - that is, thinking about sex all the time, needing to find sexual outlets for intercourse or masturbation, sometimes causing them bodily harm but nevertheless unable to stop themselves behaving in a sexually obsessive way.
The main treatment for individuals convicted of a sexual offence is psychological. However, these treatments do not address the main problem area, which is an obsession with sex. Medication to Manage Sexual Arousal (MMSA) is offered for those with high sexual preoccupation on a voluntarily basis. MMSA is currently available at eight prisons in the UK. Currently the medication is being evaluated at one prison site (HMPPS Whatton), and the proposed research will extend this to the seven other sites. The evaluation uses self-report measures to assess the effectiveness of the medication. The research would be voluntary for participants and would carry on for as long as the participant is willing and is at the establishment.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0246
Date of REC Opinion
9 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion