The Evaluation Treatment of Sex Offenders and Sexually

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The Evaluation & Treatment of Sex Offenders and Sexually Violent Predators Cheri L. Kittrell,

The Evaluation & Treatment of Sex Offenders and Sexually Violent Predators Cheri L. Kittrell, Ph. D. State College of Florida Symposium on Childhood Sexual Abuse February 26, 2010

Pop Quiz n True/False? n n n n n Most sexual assaults are committed

Pop Quiz n True/False? n n n n n Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers. The majority of sexual offenders are caught, convicted, and in prison. Most sex offenders reoffend. Sexual offense rates are higher than ever and continue to climb. All sex offenders are male. Sex offenders commit sexual crimes because they are under the influence of alcohol. Children who are sexually assaulted will sexually assault others when they grow up. Youths do not commit sex offenses. Treatment for sex offenders is ineffective. The cost of treating and managing sex offenders in the community is too high—they belong behind bars.

Definitions n Sex Offenders n A person who: n n n has been sentenced

Definitions n Sex Offenders n A person who: n n n has been sentenced for committing a sexual offense has a past conviction for an offense involving sexually deviant behavior has displayed sexually deviant behavior in the commission of any offense or has admitted committing sexually deviant behavior Sexually Violent Predators n A person who: n n n Has been convicted of a sexually violent offense and Has a mental abnormality and Due to this mental abnormality, they are likely to commit another sexually violent offense, if not confined in a secure facility for long-term control, care, and treatment

Federal Legislation Pertaining to Sex Offenders

Federal Legislation Pertaining to Sex Offenders

Jacob Wetterling

Jacob Wetterling

Megan Kanka Jesse Timmendequas

Megan Kanka Jesse Timmendequas

Pam Lychner

Pam Lychner

A Sampling of State Legislation Pertaining to Sex Offenders

A Sampling of State Legislation Pertaining to Sex Offenders

Jimmy Ryce Juan Carlos Chavez

Jimmy Ryce Juan Carlos Chavez

Joan D'Alessandro Governor Pataki Signs Joan’s Law in 2004

Joan D'Alessandro Governor Pataki Signs Joan’s Law in 2004

Jessica Lunsford John Evander Couey

Jessica Lunsford John Evander Couey

Understanding the Differences in the Sex Offender Population n n n Pedophile Psychopath/Sociopath Rapists

Understanding the Differences in the Sex Offender Population n n n Pedophile Psychopath/Sociopath Rapists Incest Offenders Exhibitionists Mentally Disordered Offenders Other

Pedophile n n n Preference for having sex with prepubescent children Higher rate of

Pedophile n n n Preference for having sex with prepubescent children Higher rate of recidivism over the long term (25 years) than rapists. Pedophiles, also known as extra-familial child molesters, who choose female victims are less likely to recidivate than those with male victims

Psychopathy n n n The term “psychopath” refers to a clinical condition, in which

Psychopathy n n n The term “psychopath” refers to a clinical condition, in which an individual who pursues instant self-gratification without consideration of the consequences of his actions. There is no cure for this personality disorder. It is the same condition as sociopathy (which is often referred to by sociologists rather than psychologists), in which the egoism of childhood is left unresolved leaving an undeveloped sense of empathy.

Rapist n n n Have a higher recidivism rate than child molesters (i. e.

Rapist n n n Have a higher recidivism rate than child molesters (i. e. extra-familial pedophiles) in the short term String of rapes: likely to reoffend within one year: about 35% recidivate Can be a gateway crime: 43%, in a recent study, had a reconviction for a sexually violent offense within 4 years

Incest offenders n n Intra-familial pedophiles Have the lowest rate of recidivism (4%)

Incest offenders n n Intra-familial pedophiles Have the lowest rate of recidivism (4%)

Exhibitionists n Have a very high rate of recidivism (41%71%) but they are rarely

Exhibitionists n Have a very high rate of recidivism (41%71%) but they are rarely studies as these are not often violent crimes

Mentally Disordered Offenders n Are slightly more likely to reoffend in all categories

Mentally Disordered Offenders n Are slightly more likely to reoffend in all categories

Others n There are other categories, like child versus adult victims, but most of

Others n There are other categories, like child versus adult victims, but most of the data relies on polygraph exams.

Understanding Violence Risk Assessment

Understanding Violence Risk Assessment

PCL-R: Psychopathy Checklist Revised n Psychopathy can be differentiated from other personality disorders on

PCL-R: Psychopathy Checklist Revised n Psychopathy can be differentiated from other personality disorders on the basis of: its characteristic pattern of interpersonal, affective, and behavioral symptoms.

RRASOR: Rapid Risk Assessment for Sexual Offense Recidivism n Age at Release (Current Age)

RRASOR: Rapid Risk Assessment for Sexual Offense Recidivism n Age at Release (Current Age) n Prior Sex Offenses n Victim Gender n Relationship to Victim

Violence Prediction Scheme VRAG and ASSESS-LIST n VRAG (Violence Risk Appraisal Guide) n n

Violence Prediction Scheme VRAG and ASSESS-LIST n VRAG (Violence Risk Appraisal Guide) n n Gives weights for each item and provides a table of the relationship between VRAG scores and probability of violent recidivism ASSESS-LIST n Antecedent History, Self-Presentation, Social and Psychosocial Adjustment, Expectations and Plans, Symptoms, Supervision, Life Factors, Institutional Management, Sexual Adjustment, and Treatment Progress

SORAG: Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide n Like the VRAG, but it is specifically

SORAG: Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide n Like the VRAG, but it is specifically intended for sex offenders

HCR-20: Historical, Clinical, and Risk Management n 20 -item checklist to prompt the examiner

HCR-20: Historical, Clinical, and Risk Management n 20 -item checklist to prompt the examiner to cover or consider the major areas of inquiry in risk management

Mn. SOST: Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Test n 21 -item screener device to determine

Mn. SOST: Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Test n 21 -item screener device to determine possible referral for civil commitment, as well as to determine the person’s community notification risk level.

Prevalence “Since 1980, the average annual growth in the number of prisoners for sex

Prevalence “Since 1980, the average annual growth in the number of prisoners for sex crimes has been about 7. 6%. The number of prisoners sentenced for violent sexual assault, other than rape, increased by an annual average of nearly 15%-faster than any other category of violent crime and faster than all other categories, except drug trafficking. ” –FBI websi

Recidivism n Characteristics of recidivists include: n n n Multiple victims Diverse victims Stranger

Recidivism n Characteristics of recidivists include: n n n Multiple victims Diverse victims Stranger victims Juvenile sex offenses Multiple paraphilias History of abuse and neglect Long-term separations from parents Negative relationships with their mothers Diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder Unemployed Substance abuse problems Chaotic antisocial lifestyles

Treatment Options and Outcomes n n n Prison Physical vs. Chemical Castration Parole Involuntary

Treatment Options and Outcomes n n n Prison Physical vs. Chemical Castration Parole Involuntary Civil Commitment Counseling n n Cognitive-behavioral approach Psycho-educational approach Pharmacological approach Job Training

Questions?

Questions?