Lecture 13: Sex Offending Assessment and Treatment Flashcards
What is the purpose of a psychosexual evaluation? [1]
To evaluate an individual who has committed sexual offences to inform case management.
This includes treatment programming and supervision requirements.
What does the Risk-Needs-Responsivity framework recommend for risk individuals? [2]
- Higher risk → more intensive treatment/supervision
- Lower risk → less intensive or no sex-offence specific treatment
Is there a standardized way to conduct risk assessments in Canada? [2]
- No, it depends on the assessor and the context.
- Factors include the setting (hospital, private practice) and the nature of offences.
What [2] types of assessments are conducted in a hospital-based setting for sexual offenders?
- Pre-sentence risk assessments
- Parole supervision recommendations.
Also includes access to children and group-based treatment for community members.
What is included in a file review for psychosexual evaluation? [2]
- Criminal records, police reports, victim statements, materials related to the offence
- Past risk assessments, and mental health records.
This helps understand the crime and the individual’s history.
What is included in a clinical interview in psychosexual evaluations? [2]
- life history (family, education, work, relationships, health)
- information from friends, family, or employers
To gain a better understanding of the individual’s life history and the offence.
What is a risk factor for sexual recidivism? [1]
Having an atypical sexual interest.
This can be assessed through various methods.
What [4] methods are available to assess sexual interests?
- Self-report
- Sexual behaviour
- Cognitive-based tests
- Psychophysiological tests
These typically assess interest in children.
What is the Bradford Sexual History Inventory used for? [2]
- To assess sexual interests through self-report.
- Individuals may underreport or minimize atypical interests, especially in high-stakes settings
It helps gather information about sexual thoughts and behaviours.
What does the Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI) assess? [2]
- behaviors such as use of CSEM or contact with children
- it combines behavioral evidence with self-report which enhances predictive accuracy
It is specifically used for individuals who have committed sexual offences against children.
What does the Implicit Association Test (IAT) measure? [4]
- sexual interests indirectly via cognitive processes (attentional biases)
- strength of associations (“sexy” paired with adult vs. child)
- Viewing Time: tracks the time spent looking at images of people of different ages
It infers sexual interests based on categorization tasks.
What is the primary aim of viewing time measures in assessing sexual interest? [1]
To determine how long individuals look at images of different ages and genders.
Individuals interested in children are expected to gaze longer at child images.
What does phallometry measure? [2]
- Penile responses to sexual stimuli across various dimensions.
- Considered a “gold standard” in forensic assessments
It assesses changes in penile circumference in response to images or audio.
What are [4] potential limitations with phallometric assessment?
- Invasive nature (ethical implications of using certain stimuli)
- Lack of standardization across labs
- Primarily validated on White male populations; no good equivalent for females
- Influenced by factors such as age, health, and recent sexual activity
Most research is based on specific demographics (e.g., White men).
What is the Static-99R? [1]
A popular static actuarial risk assessment tool for individuals who have committed sexual offences.
It should not be used for those with only CSEM offences.
What is the STABLE-2007? [1]
The most popular dynamic actuarial risk tool for sexual offences.
It assesses ongoing risk factors.
What is the purpose of pharmacological treatment for sexual offenders? [2]
- To reduce sex drive among those with atypical sexual interests.
- it moderately reduces arousal when pre-treatment levels are high
Common medications include antiandrogens and SSRIs.
[2] Limitations of pharmacological treatment for sexual offenders?
- Does not address behavior or coping skills
- Notable side effects and ethical concerns regarding mandated treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) [4]
- Addresses dynamic risk factors and promotes protective factors
- Targets include:
- managing sexual urges
- social skills enhancement
- challenging offence-supportive beliefs
Good Lives Model [2]
- Emphasizes positive psychology and goal setting
- Helps individuals meet needs through prosocial means, similar to approaches in ACT
[3] CBT Approaches
- Aversion Therapy: Pairing atypical stimuli with unpleasant sensations
- Covert Sensitization: Linking atypical thoughts with negative consequences
- Masturbatory Satiation: Reducing arousal to atypical stimuli by controlled sexual release
What are the [3] challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment on recidivism?
- Ethical issues of withholding treatment
- Long follow-up times
- Low base rates of reoffending
Alternatives to RCTs have their own limitations.
What do meta-analyses suggest about treatment effectiveness for sexual offenders? [1]
Treatment groups show significantly lower rates of sexual recidivism compared to untreated groups.
What [4] types of treatment programs seem to have better outcomes?
- Group-based treatment
- Involvment from psychologists
- Adhering to risk-need-responsivity principles
- Combining CBT and pharmacological treatment
Combining CBT and pharmacological treatment shows some effectiveness.
Is there a difference in treatment outcomes between CSEM and contact offences? [1]
No significant difference in reoffending rates.
Base rates for CSEM recidivism are low, suggesting different treatment needs.
