Sexual Offenders: What the Research Reveals Franca Cortoni, Ph.D., C.Psych. School of Criminology University of Montreal Association Paroling Authorities International Audio Conference May 28, 2008

Sexual Offenders Understanding Recidivism Risk Assessment Treatment Circles of Support & Accountability Female Sexual Offenders Conclusions

Understanding Recidivism (aka - Not all male sexual offenders are the same!!!)

Average International Recidivism Rates – Male S.O. Average follow-up of 5 years 13.5% sexual (N = 23,494) 25.5% any violent (N = 13,427) 35.5% any recidivism (N = 18,167) Hanson & Morton (2003)

Sexual Recidivism by Type of Victims Follow-up = 15 years Adult Victims (N=1,038) 24% Intrafamilial (N = 1,099) vs. Extrafamilial (N = 2,798) 13% 25% Girl Victims (N = 1,572) Boy Victims (N = 706) 16% 35% Harris & Hanson (2004)

Evaluation of Risk of Sexual Recidivism

(p.1158; Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2005) “The prototypical sexual recidivist is not upset or lonely; instead he leads an unstable, antisocial lifestyle and ruminates on sexually deviant themes” (p.1158; Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2005)

Why Risk Assessment? Evaluation informs on the level of risk posed by the offender & informs on when the offender may be most at risk of reoffending Informs on treatment needs Provide strategies for supervision to promote the effective management of the offender’s risk.

Types of Risk of Recidivism General recidivism (i.e., non-violent and non-sexual) Violent recidivism (may or may not include sexual recidivism) Sexual recidivism

Evaluation of Risk of Sexual Recidivism Evaluation of risk of sexual recidivism always take into consideration static & dynamic risk factors Risk factors are individual characteristics that increase or decrease the probability of recidivism

Static Risk Factors Historical factors that have been demonstrated to relate to recidivism potential. These are non-changeable aspects of the offender.

Dynamic Risk Factors Factors associated with recidivism but that are amenable to change. These are the issues that are addressed in treatment.

Dynamic Risk Factors (cont.) Stable: Enduring changeable characteristics linked to the offending behavior. Acute: Rapidly changing changeable characteristics; may indicate that a reoffense will occur within a short period of time Some factors may be both stable and acute

Established Static Risk Factors for Sexual and Violent Recidivism among Sexual Offenders Young Single No current romantic relationship Total criminal history Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

Established Risk Factors for Violent Recidivism among Sexual Offenders Antisocial orientation History of rule violation History of violent crime Lifestyle instability Substance abuse Cluster B Personality Disorders (antisocial, narcissistic, borderline) Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

Factors Unrelated to Violent Recidivism among Sexual Offenders Psychosis, major mental illness Internalizing psychological disorders Depression; anxiety Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

Established Risk Factors for Sexual Recidivism Sexual criminal history Prior sexual offences Early onset of sexual crimes Diverse sexual crimes Victim characteristics Unrelated Strangers Male Non-contact sexual offences Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

continued… Sexual deviance Any deviant sexual interest Children Paraphilias Sexual preoccupations Attitudes tolerant of sexual assault Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

continued… Lifestyle instability / general criminality History of rule violation (lack of compliance with supervision) Antisocial attitudes Antisocial traits Impulsivity, hostility Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

continued… Relationship Issues: Problematic intimate relationships (conflict with intimate partner) Emotional identification with children Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

Factors Not Related to Sexual Recidivism Victim empathy Denial/minimization of sexual offence Lack of motivation for treatment Internalizing psychological problems Anxiety; depression; low self-esteem Sexually abused as a child Sexual intrusiveness (e.g., intercourse) Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2004

Risk Assessment Tools: Specific Examples

The STATIC-99 – Static Factors Young Age (- 25 y.) Never married Non-sexual violence in index offence Prior non-sexual violent convictions Prior sexual offences Prior sentencing dates Non-contact sexual offences Stranger victims Unrelated victims Male victims Hanson & Thornton, 1999

The STABLE: Dynamic Factors Intimacy Deficits Significant Social Influences Attitudes supportive of Sexual Assault Sexual Self-regulation General Self-regulation Lack of Cooperation with Supervision Hanson & Harris (2000 & ongoing)

The ACUTE: Dynamic Factors Substance Abuse Emotional Collapse Collapse of Social Supports Hostility* Sexual Preoccupation* Victim Access* Rejection of Supervision* Hanson & Harris, 2000 & ongoing

Are Acute Factors specifically useful in predicting recidivism? Yes – all acute factors related to recidivism, but most powerful: Sexual Preoccupation Victim Access Hostility Rejection of Supervision Hanson, Harris, Scott, & Helmus, 2007

Treatment

Treatment Current standards: Goals of Treatment: Treatment is based on behavioural strategies, including cognitive-behavioural, social learning, modelling, and skill building. Goals of Treatment: To address in treatment the dynamic risk factors leading to the sexually offending behavior To understand the behavioral progression to the offense To develop a self-management plan

Treatment Targets Cognitive issues : Schemas about themselves; others; and the world (includes attitudes; beliefs; distortions of the offending behavior & victims) Sexual Self-Regulation (including arousal management) General Self-Regulation Intimacy & Relationships Emotions Management Social & Interpersonal Functioning Understanding of behavioural progression & self-management strategies

Behavioral Progression A predictable series of events & situations Combined with cognitive & emotional states That leads to sexual offending

A Self Management Plan Should… …establish positive goals incompatible with offending …develop management & coping strategies for internal & external risk factors …ensure cognitive & emotional components are present …ensure strategies to deal with deviant arousal are included if necessary …include a support network …be concrete but generalizable.

Treatment Effectiveness

Treatment Effectiveness In the Canadian correctional system, research shows that treated sexual offenders (of all risk levels) consistently demonstrate a 50% reduction in reoffending International research on the effectiveness of treatment for sexual offenders also shows similar reductions when treatment is based on current standards. 33

International Findings - ATSA Collaborative Database

The Importance of Completing Treatment

Recidivism & Treatment Attrition ATSA Collaborative Database (Hanson et al., 2002): 18 studies found the same results: offenders who start but fail to complete treatment have consistently higher rates of recidivism than those who completed or refused treatment.

Managing the risk in the community: Circles of Support & Accountability (CoSAs)

Circles of Support & Accountability

CoSAs Mission Statement To substantially reduce the risk of future sexual victimization of community members by assisting and supporting released men in their task of integrating with the community and leading responsible, productive, and accountable lives.

Are CoSAs Effective? Study 1: Wilson, Pricheca, & Prinzo (2005) Follow-up= 4.5 years CoSAs (N=60) Control (N=60) Sexual Recidivism 5.00% (3) 16.67% (10) Expected sexual recidivism 28.33% (17) 26.45% (16) Study 2: Wilson, Cortoni & Vermani (2007) Follow-up = 3 years CoSAs (N=47) Control (N=47) Sexual Recidivism 2.13% (n=1) 12.77% (n=6)

Female Sexual Offenders

Female Sexual Offenders Tremendous advances in the knowledge of risk assessment for adult male sexual offenders. In contrast, little is known about risk assessment & treatment of female sexual offenders. Not only are the risk factors unknown, but there has been little research on the recidivism base rates for female sexual offenders.

Proportion of Sexual Offenders who are Women Two general sources of information from 5 countries: 1) Official police or Court reports of offender gender 2) Victimization surveys Overall, results showed that women appear to be responsible for approximately 4% to 5% of all sexual offences These indicate a ratio of approximately 20 male to 1 female sexual offenders based on both official reports and victimization surveys Cortoni & Hanson (2005)

Average International Recidivism Rates of Female Sexual Offenders The sexual recidivism rate of 1.0% after 5 years (3/306) The violent recidivism rate (including sexual) of 6.3% (12/191) The general recidivism rate (including sexual & violent) of 20.2% (68/337) Cortoni & Hanson (2005)

Canadian Recidivism Study 61 women convicted of sexual offenses 7.56 years follow-up (.08 - 22.14 y.) 32.8% re-offended (N=20) 7 / 20 committed a violent offense 2 / 7 committed a new sexual offense Williams & Nicholaichuk (2001)

Tentative Risk Factors of Female Sexual Offenders ** Prior sexual offences Acted alone (no male accomplice ) Unrelated victim ** Difficult to provide clear empirical evidence ** Must pay attention to general risk factors among female offenders in addition to those for sexual recidivism since no other method of risk assessment

Putting it all Together! Conclusions: Putting it all Together!

Risk Assessment: Points to Remember Risk is not a static state. It fluctuates with changes in dynamic risk factors. Actuarial risk level provides the long term potential of recidivism. Dynamic risk factors provide indications of problematic areas that can be addressed to manage the risk. Acute risk factors provide indications about when sexual recidivism may occur.

Start with the Right Information: Gather all relevant facts – look for: static risk dynamic risk targeting of dynamic risk factors in treatment & outcome re: dynamic risk factors, skills indicators of manageability of risk community support indicators of deterioration

Reviewing Risk Information: Consider long-term (static) risk Consider dynamic risk factors in individual case Consider risk for non-sexual recidivism separately Apply weight to actuarial and structured empirically based assessments - not to unstructured clinical judgment of risk (i.e., based on traditional models of psychopathology)

Reviewing Treatment Results: Consider treatment outcome: successful completion versus drop-out consider the offender’s understanding of his/her risk & of his self-management plan consider the offender’s ability to implement his plan (is his release plan congruent with his self-management plan?)

Recommendations - Management Consider presence & extent of dynamic risk factors in individual cases Consider the offender’s willingness (look for behavioural indicators) to work cooperatively to manage his/her risk Consider past history with supervision – evidence of adherence to conditions? Apply greater weight to presence & extent of acute risk factors (rather than static risk potential) if purpose is post-suspension review. In this context, pay particular attention to victim access; hostility; rejection of supervision; & sexual preoccupation.

Thank you! * For full description of the functioning of COSAs, see: Circles of Support & Accountability: An Evaluation of the Pilot Project in South-Central Ontario. Wilson, R.J., Picheca, J., & Prinzo (2005). Research Report R-168. Correctional Service Canada. Available at: www.csc-scc.gc.ca (on main page left menu, click on Research; select Research Reports; scroll to R-168).