NCJ Number
214264
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 327-339
Date Published
April 2006
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Challenge Project, a program for sex offenders in London that sought to determine the extent to which developmental variables might contribute to a risk assessment model in sex offenders in terms of failure in the community and compliance with treatment requirements.
Abstract
Research findings clearly demonstrated that developmental factors can play a key role in enhancing risk prediction with sex offenders. Factors such as childhood trauma and abuse were repeatedly associated with a variety of negative outcome variables for sex offenders. Developmental difficulties were also linked to problems with completing community treatment programs. The authors suggest that sex offenders with developmental difficulties may need additional social or psychological resources and that health and criminal justice agencies should work together to meet the enhanced needs of this population. Information on 310 male sex offenders (child molesters and rapists) were gathered via structured interview, probation files, and other criminal justice files. Variables under analysis included childhood emotional or conduct disorders, victimization during childhood, and mental health and probation status and background. Outcome data were gathered after an average of 51 months in the community and included reconviction and treatment status information. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Future research should examine whether there is a link between having high-risk developmental variables and having marked personality dysfunction in adulthood. Tables, figure, references