Amanda M. Fanniff

Victim Age-Based Subtypes of Juveniles Adjudicated for Sexual Offenses: Comparisons Across Domains in an Outpatient Sample

Adolescents adjudicated for sexual offenses are a heterogeneous group. The identification of more homogeneous subgroups of offenders may enable improved treatment, as the specific risks and needs presented by each group could be more effectively targeted. The current study examines three subgroups derived based on the age of victim(s), a popular method of subtyping that has mixed empirical support, using a sample of 176 males adjudicated for a sexual offense and court-ordered to participate in a community-based collaborative intervention program that integrates treatment and probationary services. Differences expected between groups based on theories regarding victim-age based subtypes are examined, in addition to differences consistently identified in prior research. Results indicate that these three subgroups are more similar than different, although some expected differences were found. Juveniles with child victims were more likely to have male victims and biologically related victims. Juveniles with peer/adult victims were more likely to have poor monitoring by their parents and more likely to have been arrested again. Juveniles with mixed types of victims appeared similar to juveniles with child victims on some variables and similar to those with peer/adult victims on others. Treatment implications and future directions for research are discussed. Typologies based on clinical characteristics of the youth rather than offense characteristics may have more promise for identifying meaningful subgroups.

Another Piece of the Puzzle: Psychometric Properties of the J-SOAP-II

The authors reviewed nine studies examining psychometric properties of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol–II (J-SOAP-II) and examined the psychometric properties of the J-SOAP-II when items were scored based on probation records obtained at or near disposition and prior to treatment. Data from 73 boys ages 12 to 17 who participated in a larger randomized clinical trial informed this study. Reliability (internal consistency and interrater agreement) and validity (concurrent, discriminant, and predictive) were examined. Scale 1, Sexual Drive/Preoccupation, was characterized by adequate reliability and concurrent validity but did not predict scores on a measure of concerning sexual behavior. This is consistent with seven studies that failed to find evidence of predictive validity using measures of sexual recidivism. Also consistent with the literature, Scale 2, Impulsive/Antisocial Behavior, performed well with respect to nearly all psychometric properties including predictive validity. Review of remaining scales and scores and clinical policy implications are discussed.

Clinician's Perceptions of Indicators of Amenability to Sex Offender-Specific Treatment in Juveniles

Identifying and understanding the factors that predict treatment success is central to legal and clinical decision making about juveniles who commit sexual offenses. The current study surveyed 158 treatment providers who work with juvenile sexual offenders to explore empirically the construct of amenability as it relates to juvenile sex offender—specific treatment (SOST). Youths’ unwillingness to alter deviant sexual interest/attitudes and unsupportive parenting were rated as strong indicators of poor SOST amenability, whereas the youths’ motivation for change and belief in the efficacy of treatment, strong social support and positive attachments, and resilient personality traits were rated as strong indicators of good SOST amenability. Items distinctly rated as indicators of either poor or good treatment amenability (N = 48) were thematically grouped into internally consistent scales (α’s ranging from .75-.87) reflecting several possible dimensions of amenability.

Competence to proceed in SVP commitment hearings: Irrelevant or fundamental due process right?

Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) civil commitment, intended to incapacitate offenders and protect the public, has been implemented in 21 jurisdictions. While respondents in traditional civil commitment proceedings need not be competent to proceed, SVP commitment may present a greater deprivation of liberty and therefore greater procedural protections may be merited. Statutes and case law regarding competence in this context address two issues: competence to challenge unproven sexual offense allegations and competence to participate in the SVP commitment process. Of the 14 states that have addressed the issue, one concluded that respondents must be competent to challenge unproven allegations and one concluded that all SVP respondents must be competent to participate in the commitment process. Differences between SVP and traditional civil commitment, the rationale underlying the competence requirement, and decisions regarding competence in SVP commitment are reviewed to inform debate regarding whether SVP respondents must be competent to proceed with the commitment process.

Adolescents Adjudicated for Sexual Offenses

Due to concerns about the harms caused by adolescents who commit sexual offenses, this population has been the subject of specialized assessment and treatment practices that were developed without the benefit of a strong empirical base. This chapter reviews specialized assessment and treatment practices applied with this population, after providing a brief overview of the characteristics of adolescents adjudicated for sexual offenses. The review concludes that measures of sexual interest have mixed support and that developing a strong therapeutic alliance may be the most effective way to facilitate disclosure. The review also indicates that risk assessment measures have not consistently demonstrated a predictive relationship with sexual recidivism; evaluators must be cautious in completing risk assessments for the courts. The research regarding treatment of adolescents adjudicated for sexual offenses is more promising, with meta-analyses indicating an overall positive response to treatment, with cognitive-behavioral therapy and multisystemic therapy being the two approaches with the strongest support to date. Recommendations for practitioners regarding assessment and treatment practices for use with this population are offered.

Justice for All: Trauma and the Need for Safety and Fairness Within Juvenile Justice Facilities

Many adolescents in the juvenile justice system have been exposed to trauma, which has been linked with negative outcomes that may lead to ineffective adjustment while incarcerated. Trauma may decrease a youth’s feelings of fairness and safety, which may increase misconduct. The present study examined the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceptions of fairness and safety, and rates of institutional misconduct in a subsample of youth (n = 386) who participated in the Pathways to Desistance study. A serial multiple mediation model found that PTSD symptoms were not significantly associated with perceptions of fairness, safety, or institutional misconduct. Relationships were found between perceptions of fairness and safety, and between perceptions of safety and institutional misconduct. Results also indicated differences in perceptions of fairness and safety based on gender, age, and ethnicity. Perceptions of fairness and safety may be an avenue for intervention to improve adjustment within the juvenile justice system.

Keep Testing the Waters Fanniff and Letourneau Reply

Hecker raises a number of important considerations in interpreting the review of literature and empirical research presented in Fanniff and Letourneau’s article “Another Piece of the Puzzle: Psychometric Properties of the J-SOAP-II.” Despite these considerations and the publication of new research in the interim, the current authors continue to urge caution in the interpretation of Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II) scores in disposition evaluations, largely due to the serious consequences that youth face in this context.