Treatment Options in Sexually Transgressive Behaviors in Adolescence: Review and Presentation of a Novel Prevention Program 180Grad

Background: Sexually transgressive behavior in adolescents, particularly among those without prior contact with the justice system, represents a critical yet under-addressed area in prevention and clinical care. Despite increasing awareness, few tailored therapeutic services exist in Ger-many or worldwide for youth experiencing sexually deviant fantasies or engaging in problemat-ic sexual behavior. Objective: This study aims to (1) provide an overview of therapeutic services available for ado-lescents with sexually transgressive behavior in Germany, and (2) present the conceptual framework, and (3) clinically characterize the target group, and provide initial clinical insights from the 180Grad [180Degree] project. Participants and Setting: The study includes the first 47 patients (ages 14–21) enrolled in the 180Grad project at Hannover Medical School. These adolescents sought psychotherapeutic help anonymously and voluntarily, without any legal charges or court orders. Method: Patients underwent a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, including psychometric evaluations and structured interviews, and received therapy based on a manualized approach rooted in established theoretical models. Results: Preliminary findings indicate elevated emotional and behavioral difficulties, along with significant deficits in self-regulation. Risk assessments reveal that 57 % report deviant sexual interests, nearly half endorse attitudes supportive of sexual violence, while over half experience significant family stress. Conclusions: This explorative approach demands further research, which is necessary to vali-date and extend these observations, as well as to optimize therapeutic outcomes.