Date

12-16-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health

Department

Human Services

First Advisor

Jerrod Brown

Second Advisor

Janina Cich

Third Advisor

Ryan Chukuske

Abstract

Forensic behavioral health research over the past few decades has revealed the complexities of assessing sexually violent offenders (SVOs). Risk assessments play a critical role in determining penalties and treatment, evaluating recidivism risk, and guiding interventions. However, most research has focused on adult male offenders, leaving a significant gap in understanding less common offender types, such as women, juveniles, and pedophiles or child sexual abusers. Gender biases and underreporting limit the understanding of women offenders, while juveniles face challenges like substance use disorders and mental health issues. Structured clinical judgment is a key method for assessing SVO risk, but forensic mental health professionals (FMHPs) must be mindful of their biases during assessments. Inaccurate risk assessments can lead to misclassifying high-risk offenders as low-risk or vice versa, with serious consequences. Recognizing biases and using evidence-based practices is crucial for FMHPs to more effectively support rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and mitigate public risk. This paper reviewed recent literature to address gaps in understanding and assessing SVOs, particularly focusing on atypical offenders including women, juveniles, and pedophiles, and highlights the need for further research, improved risk-assessment tools, and strategies to reduce recidivism. A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters published from 2020-2024 was conducted, covering forensic advancements, challenges in assessing risk for these SVOs, treatment implications, and legal considerations. This paper intentionally uses “woman” and “man” instead of “female” and “male”, when possible, to dissociate from biologically deterministic views of gender, aiming to promote a more socially informed understanding.

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