Citation

Olver ME, Maaike L. Sex. Offender Treat. 2018; 13(1/2): e169.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Pabst Science Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sexual violence risk assessment features prominently in Canada's correctional, criminal justice, and forensic mental health systems in an effort to accurately appraise risk to inform service delivery and allocation of resources to prevent future sexual violence. Through collaborations between Canadian researchers and frontline staff, a suite of sexual violence risk instruments has been developed which serve a central function in the administration and management of persons who commit sexual offenses. Although current practices vary within Canada in terms of instrument use and emphasis, a common thread is almost ubiquitous application of Static-99R, with frequent usage of one of many Canadian dynamic tools in correctional, mental health, and legal settings. Applications of sexual violence risk measures, especially actuarial tools, to Indigenous criminal justice involved persons has been of controversy, although research efforts have intensified to examine the psychometric properties of these measures to maximize benefits and minimize potential harms associated with their use with this population. We conclude with reflections on some strengths and shortcomings in the practice of sexual violence risk assessment in Canada.

Key words: sexual violence risk assessment, recidivism, actuarial, Canada

Language: en