NCJ Number
171463
Date Published
1997
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This paper focuses on the presentence and clinical assessments of juvenile sex offenders.
Abstract
The challenge of service providers is to integrate the various aspects of assessment into a comprehensive and flexible assessment that considers differential diagnosis and treatment recommendations. After discussing the preparation for assessment, which includes a table that lists 21 factors to guide assessment, the paper considers the assessment of the abusive behavior. Topics addressed in this section include the interview content and the handling of denial. A section on the assessment of the abusive pattern focuses on sexually abusive behavioral types, progressive aspects, the level of aggression, the frequency of abusive behaviors, preferred victim type, arousal assessment, intent and motivation, honesty, and risk factors and sexual abuse behavioral characteristics. Another section of the paper discusses the developmental-contextual assessment. This pertains to coping ability, family, relationships, developmental history, temperament, social competencies, trauma history, sexual history, self-concept, cultural issues, and capacity for empathy. Following a section on the assessment of concurrent psychiatric disorders, the paper concludes with an explanation of the analysis of information. This section addresses community safety needs, offense-specific treatment, psychological and psychiatric needs, and family needs. 50 references