Sexual Offending: Predisposing Antecedents, Assessments and Management

This expert reference provides a broad, comprehensive review of the major domains of sexual offending. Beginning with an integrated etiological model of sexual offending, chapters follow addressing the primary predisposing conditions related to sexual offending (e.g. pedophilic, hebephilic, paraphilic rape and non-contact paraphilic disorders, hyper sexuality and personality factors). In addition, special subgroups of sexual offenders (females, youth and the intellectually disable) are considered. Both broad and specific perspectives on the assessment of sexual offenders are provided. Overviews are offered of clinical and forensic evaluations of such offenders and the utility of structured psychological assessment. A novel conceptual model of risk assessment is proposed. More specifically, each of the primary approaches or instruments related to risk assessment of sexual offending are addressed: the Static risk assessment measures, the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide, structured professional judgment, and the varied measures of dynamic or criminogenic needs assessment. Finally, multiple aspects of management of sexual offenders are discussed including models of psychosocial treatment, the question of the effectiveness of such treatment, biological interventions, civil commitment, circles of support, and the containment approach to community management. Chapters are authored by both prominent experts and experienced professionals for a breadth of perspective.

Among the topics covered:

• Pedophilic, Hebephilic, Rape Paraphilic Disorders and the variety of Non Contact sexual offending conditions
• Personality, related conditions, & their association with sexual offending: motivators and disinhibition in context.
• Disorders of hyper sexuality.
• Assessments of sexual offenders, including the role of psychological testing, clinical & interview approaches, as well as forensic evaluations
• Conceptual models of risk assessment & discussion of specific static, dynamic & structured clinical risk assessment approaches
• Models of & reviews of treatment outcome with sexual offenders, including psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and castration, the containment approach, civil commitment & circles of support
• Overview of public policy issues & an evidence-based perspective on sex offender registration and residential restrictions.

This breadth of material in Sexual Offenders will help practitioners gain multiple levels of clinical insight as well as giving them up-to-date practical tools and techniques for working with this problematic class of individuals.

Amy Phenix, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in California in private practice. Her expertise includes sex offender evaluation and risk assessment. She completes evaluations pursuant to the Sexually Violent Predator/Persons Statutes and serves as an expert witness in those cases in several states with similar laws. In her capacity as a trainer she provides instruction in sex offender risk assessment, the use of the Static-99R, report writing and issues in court testimony. She has served as Consulting Psychologist for the California Department of Mental Health Sexual Offender Commitment Program from its inception in 1996 to 2008.

Harry M. Hoberman, Ph.D., L.P. is a forensic and clinical psychologist licensed in several states. While on the faculty of the University of Minnesota in the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Pediatrics and Child Development, he was the principal investigator on several funded research projects related to psychosocial risk factors and mental health service utilization as well as developing and supervising psychosocial treatments. Currently, he practices exclusively as a forensic psychologist and specializes in risk assessment of violent behavior. He has contracts with various states and the Federal government to conduct evaluations and consult regarding risk assessment. In addition, he conducts forensic evaluations and provides expert witness testimony related to areas of concern. Dr. Hoberman was twice elected to the Executive Board of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers and has served on the public policy committee of that organization for over 10 years.