Incorporating change information into sexual offender risk assessments using the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO)

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Beggs Christofferson ◽  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Sarah M. Beggs ◽  
Randolph C. Grace ◽  
Stephen C. P. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Risk Scale

Incorporating Change Information Into Sexual Offender Risk Assessments Using the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offender Version

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Sarah M. Beggs Christofferson ◽  
Randolph C. Grace ◽  
Stephen C. P. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Risk Scale

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

scholarly journals Forensic application of static and dynamic risk factors: Is it the right time?

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Dynamic Risk Factors ◽  
Dynamic Risk ◽  
Forensic Practice

It is common, accepted clinical practice to conduct risk assessments of individuals who commit sexual offenses using the combination of sexual violence risk actuarial measures and dynamic risk factors. This assessment approach has utility when identifying treatment targets, assessing progress in sexual offender treatment, and forming risk management plans. Little research has examined this method in forensic contexts such as deciding whether individuals who suffer from mental disorders are likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior as defined by sexually violent predator or persons (“SVP”) involuntary civil confinement laws in the USA. In particular, it is uncertain whether the combination of sexual violence risk actuarial measures and dynamic risk factors (DRF) produces sufficiently reliable, relevant, and probative evidence for the trier of fact to properly evaluate the SVP legally defined likelihood of sexual dangerousness. This article explores the efficacy of combining actuarial measures of sexual violence risk and dynamic risk factors as applied in SVP risk assessments based on some commonly observed forensic practices among evaluators. Based on the analysis, recommendations for forensic practice and future research are offered.

Predictive Accuracy of Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offender Version Risk and Change Scores in Treated Canadian Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Sexual Offenders

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Justina N. Sowden ◽  
Drew A. Kingston ◽  
Terry P. Nicholaichuk ◽  
Audrey Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Baseline Risk ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Change Scores ◽  
Violent Recidivism ◽  
Risk Scale

The present study examined the predictive properties of Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO) risk and change scores among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal sexual offenders in a combined sample of 1,063 Canadian federally incarcerated men. All men participated in sexual offender treatment programming through the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) at sites across its five regions. The Static-99R was also examined for comparison purposes. In total, 393 of the men were identified as Aboriginal (i.e., First Nations, Métis, Circumpolar) while 670 were non-Aboriginal and primarily White. Aboriginal men scored significantly higher on the Static-99R and VRS-SO and had higher rates of sexual and violent recidivism; however, there were no significant differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups on treatment change with both groups demonstrating close to a half-standard deviation of change pre and post treatment. VRS-SO risk and change scores significantly predicted sexual and violent recidivism over fixed 5- and 10-year follow-ups for both racial/ancestral groups. Cox regression survival analyses also demonstrated positive treatment changes to be significantly associated with reductions in sexual and violent recidivism among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men after controlling baseline risk. A series of follow-up Cox regression analyses demonstrated that risk and change score information accounted for much of the observed differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men in rates of sexual recidivism; however, marked group differences persisted in rates of general violent recidivism even after controlling for these covariates. The results support the predictive properties of VRS-SO risk and change scores with treated Canadian Aboriginal sexual offenders.

Construct Validity of the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offender Version Instrument in a Multisite Sample of Treated Sexual Offenders

Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
Craig S. Neumann ◽  
Drew A. Kingston ◽  
Terry P. Nicholaichuk ◽  
Stephen C. P. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Risk Scale ◽  
Three Factor

The present study examined the construct validity of the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO) through an examination of its factor structure and convergence with psychological measures assessing conceptually relevant constructs in a sample of 732 treated incarcerated adult male sex offenders. The VRS-SO was rated prospectively pre- and posttreatment by service providers, and several of the men had completed a psychometric battery at each time point. Prospective Stable 2000 ratings were examined for comparison purposes. Results of exploratory longitudinal factor analysis, performed on VRS-SO pre- and posttreatment dynamic item scores, supported a three-factor model (comparative fit index = .990) and the measurement invariance of the loadings over time. A stringent longitudinal confirmatory factor analysis of the VRS-SO items also supported the three-factor structure. Scores from the three factors (Sexual Deviance, Criminality, and Treatment Responsivity) were correlated in conceptually meaningful ways with scores from the Stable 2000 and selected psychometric measures. The results provide evidence for the construct validity of VRS-SO test scores as providing an index of sex offender risk and, more specifically, that its item content and factor domains measure psychological constructs pertinent to sex offender risk and need.

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