scholarly journals Use of the Violence Risk Scale – Sexual Offense version (VRS-SO) within sexually violent persons evaluations

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Kelley
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Treatment Change ◽  
Sexually Violent ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sexually Violent Persons ◽  
Risk Scale

In many parts of the United States, individuals can be civilly committed as Sexually Violent Persons (SVP) to a secure treatment center based on their history of sexual offenses, current mental disorder, and current risk for sexual recidivism. While the specific criteria vary between jurisdictions, SVP civil commitment is indefinite, and periodic examinations occur to determine if ongoing commitment is necessary. Release recommendations may be made in part based on patients’ treatment progress. Therefore, incorporating treatment change into periodic risk assessments is an important role of the SVP evaluator. The current paper sought to explore the benefits of using an actuarial tool within SVP populations to measure decreased sexual recidivism risk as a result of treatment change. Specific discussion of the use of the Violence Risk Scale – Sexual Offense version (Olver et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.19.3.318) is provided.

scholarly journals Predictive Properties of the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offense Version as a Function of Age

Assessment ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107319112091440
Author(s):  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Sarah M. Beggs Christofferson ◽  
Terry P. Nicholaichuk ◽  
Stephen C. P. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Change Scores ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Risk Scale

The present study examined the discrimination and calibration properties of Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offense version (VRS-SO) risk and change scores for sexual and violent recidivism as a function of age at release, on a combined sample of 1,287 men who had attended sexual offense-specific treatment services. The key aim was to examine to what extent VRS-SO scores can accurately discriminate recidivists from nonrecidivists among older cohorts, and if the existing age-related adjustments in the instrument adequately correct for increasing age. VRS-SO risk and change scores showed consistent properties of discrimination for sexual recidivism across the age cohorts, via area under the curve and Cox regression survival analysis, as demonstrated through fixed effects meta-analysis. Calibration analyses, employing logistic regression, demonstrated that age at release was consistently incrementally predictive of violent, but not sexual, recidivism after controlling for individual differences on static and dynamic risk factors. E/O index analyses demonstrated that predicted rates of sexual recidivism from VRS-SO scores, particularly when employed with Static-99R, were not significantly different from those observed among age cohorts; however, calibration was weaker for general violence. Implications for use of the VRS-SO in sexual recidivism risk assessment with older offenders are discussed.

Convergent and Predictive Associations of Three Measures of Pedophilic Interest

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107906322096804
Author(s):  
Ian V. McPhail ◽  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Terry P. Nicholaichuk ◽  
Andy Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Sexual Deviance ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Violence Reduction ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Moderate Relationship ◽  
Risk Scale ◽  
Static Risk

Pedophilic interest is a central risk factor for sexual offending against children. Multiple measures exist to assess pedophilic interest, and the present study aims to provide validity evidence for three of these measures in a sample of men convicted of sexual offenses. The association between a phallometric test for pedophilic interest, the Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interest (SSPI), and the sexual deviance factor of the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offense (VRS-SO) version was examined in a sample of 261 men who participated in sexual violence reduction services. The association between these measures and sexual recidivism, both as sole predictors and while controlling for static risk, was also assessed. The second aim of the study was to examine the validity of different methods for modeling the distribution of pedophilic interests, using phallometric test scores, based on the findings in recent taxometric research. The measures generally showed a positive and moderate relationship with each other and predicted sexual recidivism. However, the SSPI did not significantly predict sexual recidivism, and when controlling for static risk, only the VRS-SO Sexual Deviance factor significantly predicted this outcome. Modeling phallometric test scores continuously and trichotomously produced significant associations with sexual recidivism; however, only a trichotomous model with two levels remained predictive after controlling for static risk. The results are broadly supportive of measures of pedophilic interest and underscore the importance of appropriately modeling the latent structure of pedophilic interest.

Validity and Reliability of the Violence Risk Scale–Youth Sexual Offense Version

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 826-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Y. Rojas ◽  
Mark E. Olver
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Treatment Planning ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
General Recidivism ◽  
Risk Scale

The present study examined the validity and reliability of a youth sexual offense risk assessment and treatment planning tool, the Violence Risk Scale–Youth Sexual Offense Version (VRS-YSO), on a sample of 102 court-adjudicated youth referred to assessment and/or treatment outpatient services followed up an average of 11.7 years in the community. VRS-YSO scores demonstrated “good” to “excellent” interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] = .64-.83). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the static and dynamic items identified three latent dimensions consistent with the extant risk literature labeled Sexual Deviance, Antisocial Tendencies, and Family Concerns. VRS-YSO scores showed strong patterns of convergence with scores from the Estimate of Risk for Adolescent Sexual Offense Recidivism (ERASOR), Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol–II (J-SOAP-II), and the Juvenile Sexual Offense Recidivism Risk Assessment Tool–II (J-SORRAT-II). VRS-YSO scores, in turn, demonstrated moderate to high predictive accuracy for sexual, violent (sexual and nonsexual), and general recidivism (significant areas under curve [AUCs] = .67-.88). Examination of pre–posttreatment change data on the subset of youth who attended treatment services found VRS-YSO change scores to be significantly associated with reductions in general recidivism, but not other recidivism outcomes. Future research and clinical applications of the VRS-YSO in youth sexual offense assessment and treatment planning are discussed.

Using the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offense version in sexual violence risk assessments: Updated risk categories and recidivism estimates from a multisite sample of treated sexual offenders.

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 941-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
James C. Mundt ◽  
David Thornton ◽  
Sarah M. Beggs Christofferson ◽  
Drew A. Kingston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Risk Scale ◽  
Risk Categories

Are Civilly Detained and Committed Sexually Violent Persons Released After Age 60 Low Risk?

2020 ◽  
pp. 009385482097244
Author(s):  
Gina Ambroziak ◽  
Rachel E. Kahn ◽  
James C. Mundt ◽  
Kerry L. Keiser ◽  
David Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factor ◽  
Civil Commitment ◽  
Recidivism Rate ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Sexually Violent ◽  
Sexually Violent Persons

Older age is a well-established protective factor against sexual recidivism. However, research on the effects of aging in individuals considered for civil commitment as sexually violent persons (SVPs) is limited. The current study investigated 53 such individuals released after age 60: 15 were released following dismissal of the civil commitment petition, and 38 were discharged following civil commitment. Recidivism outcomes, including details of the release environment, were examined and the groups were compared on recidivism risk and age-related factors. The sexual recidivism rate across both groups was 7.5% over an average follow-up of about 9 years. The rate of sexually violent offenses was 3.8%. Results suggest that age-related protective effects apply to older SVPs. However, the groups differed in total time institutionalized and release environments. Findings highlight the potential impact of release type and environments on observed recidivism rates. Risk management implications for older individuals released from SVP programs are considered.

Using Graphs in Sexual Violence Risk Communication: Benefits May Depend on the Risk Metric

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107906322095119
Author(s):  
N. Zoe Hilton ◽  
L. Maaike Helmus
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Absolute Risk ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
Risk Metric ◽  
Risk Ratios ◽  
Risk Scale

Actuarial scales provide a relatively objective and reliable assessment of individuals’ risk of recidivism. Recent research has explored how graphs can improve quantitative risk communication. We tested whether graphs can improve understanding and perception of sexual violence risk when matched with risk metric. Participants ( N = 676) were recruited from Amazon’s MTurk platform and read a brief description of a man convicted of a sexual offense, including results of a fictional sexual recidivism risk scale. In Study 1, absolute risk of recidivism enabled participants to distinguish between individuals with relatively high and low risk of sexual recidivism. In Study 2, this distinction was enhanced by adding a graph, especially when percentiles were communicated. Risk ratios increased perceived risk. Objective numeracy increased understanding and reduced perceived risk. We recommend that risk communication assumes limited statistical numeracy, and further research with practitioners to test the effect of graphs and risk metrics on forensic/judicial decisions.

Estimating Lifetime and Residual Risk for Individuals Who Remain Sexual Offense Free in the Community: Practical Applications

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 107906321987157 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Thornton ◽  
R. Karl Hanson ◽  
Sharon M. Kelley ◽  
James C. Mundt
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Empirical Method ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
Sexual Crime ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
History Of ◽  
Time Periods

Although individuals with a history of sexual crime are often viewed as a lifelong risk, recent research has drawn attention to consistent declines in recidivism risk for those who remain offense free in the community. Because these declines are predictable, this article demonstrates how evaluators can use the amount of time individuals have remained offense free to (a) extrapolate to lifetime recidivism rates from rates observed for shorter time periods, (b) estimate the risk of sexual recidivism for individuals whose current offense is nonsexual but who have a history of sexual offending, and (c) calculate yearly reductions in risk for individuals who remain offense free in the community. In addition to their practical utility for case-specific decision making, these estimates also provide researchers an objective, empirical method of quantifying the extent to which individuals have desisted from sexual crime.

Diagnostic Profiles of Civilly Committed Sexual Offenders in Illinois and Other Reporting Jurisdictions

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 838-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Jumper ◽  
Mark Babula ◽  
Todd Casbon
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Diagnostic Information ◽  
Cutoff Score ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Sexually Violent ◽  
Correctional Settings ◽  
Sexually Violent Persons ◽  
Sexually Violent Person

The records of 377 men civilly committed under Illinois’ Sexually Violent Persons Act were compared with similar published samples from seven other states. Civilly committed sexual offenders in Illinois were more likely to be diagnosed with any personality disorder and more likely to exceed the cutoff score for psychopathy than similar offenders in other states. The authors then present a national composite of demographic, victim, and diagnostic information on men referred or pursued for civil commitment in eight states to better understand how these individuals differ from sex offender populations in correctional settings. Results suggest that there may be less victim specificity in sexually violent person (SVP) populations, as although nearly 50% of SVPs are diagnosed with pedophilia, 80% had committed at least one sexual offense against a child or adolescent victim. Across all samples, 72.7% of SVPs were diagnosed with a personality disorder, with antisocial personality disorder the most prevalent.

A Preliminary Analysis of Sexual Recidivism and Predictive Validity of the Static-99R in Men Discharged From State Hospitals Pursuant to California’s Sexually Violent Predator Act

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107906322110197
Author(s):  
Allen Azizian ◽  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
James Rokop ◽  
Deirdre M. D’Orazio
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
Sexually Violent Predator ◽  
State Hospitals ◽  
Sexually Violent ◽  
General Recidivism

We examined the recidivism rates and the predictive validity of the Static-99R in 335 men who were detained or civilly committed and released from California State Hospitals pursuant to the Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Act, and followed up for approximately 21 years from date of hospital admission. In all, 8.7% were arrested or convicted for a new sexual offense during the total follow-up ( N = 335) and 7.8% over a fixed 5-year follow-up ( n = 205). The Static-99R demonstrated small in magnitude discrimination for sexual, violent, and general recidivism (area under the curve [AUC]/C = .56 to .63). Calibration analyses, conducted through expected/observed (E/O) index, demonstrated that the Static-99R overpredicted sexual recidivism, irrespective of whether the Routine or High Risk/Need norms were used. Observed recidivism rates were lower than predicted by Static-99R scores and may be the result of the sample’s older age at release, lengthy hospitalization, or other factors.

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