Raina Lamade

Optimizing risk mitigation in management of sexual offenders: A structural model

Sexual violence is an insidious and pervasive problem that insinuates itself into all aspects of contemporary society. It can neither be mitigated nor adequately controlled through current socio-legal practices. A more promising approach must embrace four integrated elements: (1) public policy, (2) primary prevention, (3) statutory management, and (3) secondary intervention. In the present paper we tackle the 3rd and 4th elements by proposing an integrated model for reducing and managing sexual violence among known sex offenders. Relying on the highly effective Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model as the core of our Sex Offender Risk Mitigation and Management Model (SORM(3)), we draw together evidence based practices from clinical interventions and risk assessment strategies. Developed by Andrews & Bonta (2006), RNR has a strong empirical track record of efficacy when applied to diverse samples of offenders, including sex offenders (Hanson, Bourgon, Helmus, & Hodgson, 2009). We offer a detailed structural model that seeks to provide a more seamless integration of risk assessment with management and discretionary decisions, including a primary focus on RNR-based post-release aftercare. We end with the mantra that sex offender treatment alone will never effectively mitigate sexual violence in society, since the problem is not confined to the handful of offenders who spend time in prison and are offered some limited exposure to treatment. Any truly effective model must go well beyond the management of those known to be violent and embrace a comprehensive and integrated approach that begins by recognizing the seeds of sexual violence sown by society. Such a public health paradigm places victims - not offenders - at the center, forcing society to come to address the full gamut of hazards that fuel sexual violence.

Placement Instability as a Risk Factor in Proximal Sexually Inappropriate and Aggressive Behaviors in a Child Welfare Sample

This study examined the relationship between childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse and placement instability, and sexually inappropriate and aggressive behaviors in a child welfare sample. Sexually Inappropriate Behavior was associated with all independent variables. Sexual Aggression and Child/Male Victims were both associated with Sexual Abuse and Placement Instability. Offense Persistence was associated with Placement Instability. All risk-mitigating factors (i.e., Self-Control, Global Adjustment, and Responsibility for Behavior) were associated only with Placement Instability. The broad and robust influence of placement instability on short-term outcomes of sexually inappropriate and aggressive behavior, as well as the risk mitigating factors, was the most notable finding. Findings underscore the importance of placement stability in the development of young children.

Developing and implementing a treatment intervention for college students found responsible for sexual misconduct

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the development of a treatment program for students found responsible of sexual misconduct.,This project, supported by the SMART (Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking) of the Department of Justice, was requested by The White House toward the end of President Obama’s last term and was intended to identify the confluence of factors related to sexual misconduct on college campuses, and to design a treatment program to address those factors.,This paper will discuss the unique factors of this population that ought to be considered to successfully develop an effective program, and the complexities of implementing treatment programs to this population, within a higher education system. This will include a discussion of barriers to implementation and challenges of employing treatment. This paper will present steps for implementing a treatment program and outline the core components of a treatment intervention for this population.,Implementing a treatment option for students found responsible of sexual misconduct that specifically targets the associated risk factors as part of a comprehensive approach to help improve campus safety.

Student views on campus sexual assault

Abstract Objective: To report on college student opinions about the scope of college sexual misconduct (CSM), suggested university sanctions, and treatment of students found responsible of CSM. Participants: In all, 23 US undergraduate students (14 females and 9 males) with a mean age of 20 years. Methods: Students participated either in female, male, or mixed-sex focus groups that facilitated the discussion of factors related to CSM. Results: Students provided in-depth feedback on the climate on US college campuses and factors related to CSM. They agreed upon CSM risk factors and context characteristics, but raised different male and female issues across sex groups. They further provided resolute suggestions for the solution of CSM, experienced treatment barriers, and limited victim reporting. Conclusion: Student focus groups provide important information about the scope of CSM and offer valuable suggestions for the solution of the problem that may be crucial for the development of successful sexual assault interventions.

Repetitive Sex Offenders, Treatment of

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by R.A. Prentky, B.K. Schwartz, volume 23, pp. 15893–15897,