SummaryThe only rational guide to treatment comes from knowledge and experience. I shall therefore examine sexual offences and sexual perversions as a whole, add to this a discussion of three of the more important influences bearing upon individual emotional development, and from this material attempt to deduce some of the more important considerations for prevention and treatment.First, however, let us remind ourselves of some possible confusions in order to avoid them. We should not assume that a sexual offence implies a psychiatric disorder: this does not necessarily follow. Equally, we should distinguish between two senses in which the word treatment is commonly used. It may be used broadly to cover all actions taken in regard to the offender, or narrowly, in the strictly medical sense, only to cover that which is ordered for the benefit of the patient. A boy may be sent to an approved school and ordered psychiatric treatment. Together they may be called treatment, but it is perfectly possible for the two recommendations to be contradictory. To put it another way, the authorities are bound to concentrate on upholding the law, while the psychiatrist must concentrate on helping the patient.