Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Transparencey Consistency and Utility of test-based decisions supported by the empirical data |
The use of tests requires considerable discretion: Practioners which tests are appropriate in a given case. Judgment is required in scoring and interpretation. Reliance on a single testis insufficient for use in developing intervention strategies Focuses professional efforts on prediction rather than prevention |
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Transparencey Consistency and Utility of test-based decisions supported by the empirical data |
The use of tests requires considerable discretion: Practioners which tests are appropriate in a given case. Judgment is required in scoring and interpretation. Reliance on a single testis insufficient for use in developing intervention strategies. Focuses professional efforts on prediction rather than prevention. Estimate the absolute likelihood or probability of recidivism and therefore inflexible. It's easy to accord too much weight to information concerning the estimation of likelihood provided by actuarial tests but the estimates are often based upon relatively small samples. |
SEXUAL VIOLENCE HISTORY |
Chronology of sexually abusive or violent behaviour Victim Characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity, physical characteristics, developmental level, child's / children's behaviour and personlaity and social history /vulnerability (What was the value that the child(ren) represented to the person, how easily were previous children controlled, moved, isolated; what made the child(ren) visible to the perpetrator and what factors made the child accessible to the perpetrator e.g. absence of an effective guardian) Modus Operandi e.g. what opportunites were created or sought in order to abuse (overcoming external inhibitions), how was the victim accessed and controlled (Overcoming the resistance of the victim) Frequencey of abusive behaviour over time Severity of abusive behaviour over time Association with other sexual offenders / history of co-offending |
CASE RECORDS POLICE DISCLOSURES VICTIM STATEMENT PARTNER, FAMILY FRIENDS SELF REPORT (e.g. INTERVIEW AND QUESTIONNAIRES) |
PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING |
Self esteem and self image Evidence of withdrawal into fantasy and rumination (Under) Assertiveness Expressions remorse, regret, guilt, shame or anxiety with regard to their thoughts, feelings, urges or behaviour? Expressions or evidence of attitudes that support or condone sexual violence and abuse? Lack of self awareness or insight into how their behaviour impacts on others orr may be interpreted by others |
MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS PROFESSIONAL OBSERVATIONS PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS AND SCALES SELF REPORT PARTNER, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. |
MENTAL HEALTH |
Affective Disorder (See module 2) Problems with substance misuse Violent or suicidal ideation Sexual Deviance Psychotic Illness i.e. current distrubance of thought and perception (See Module 2) History of Mental Disorder (See Module 2) |
MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT SELF REPORT PARTNER FAMILY AND FRIENDS |
SOCIAL FUNCTIONING |
Problems with non intimate relationships Problems with intimate relationships Withdrawal and Isolation Employment problems Non-sexual criminality Non-sexual violence |
POLICE DISCLOSURES SELF REPORT PARTNER, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, EMPLOYERS NOMS |
COMPLIANCE |
Lack of engagement with agencey or safety plan Evidence of "disguised compliance" Breech of injuctions such as non-molestation orders, license / bail conditions or other legal orders restricitng movement activity or contact treatment problems |
PROFESSIONAL OBSERVATIONS MEDICAL AND SOCIAL CARE RECORDS PROBATION RECORDE POLICE DISCLOSURES |
CASE SPECIFIC ISSUES |
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CHILDHOOD |
Early life experiences, key events Family structure Memories (good and bad) Residences Adverse life experiences Behaviour - e.g. general behaviour, evidence of delinquency, anti-social behaviour, challenging behaviour, substance use etc General health and development through childhood and adolescence Experience of parenting |
EDUCATION |
Experiences of primary, secondaru and teriary education Challenges faced and achievements. Favourite subjects / least favourite subjects Experience of bullying (as victim and / or perptrator) Attitudes to education Parents' attitudes to education Invovelemt in extra curricular activities, clubs, teams etc. |
EMPLOYMENT |
Full employment history including informal and unpaid work (look for presence or absence of structured daytime activity) Reason for leaving jobs (and duration of employment) e.g. dismissal, dissatisfaction, redundancy etc. |
CRIMINAL HISTORY |
Previous Convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands Involvement with law enforcement agencies that did not result in a, caution, conviction reprimand or warning e.g. follwoing com,plaints by another. MARAC, MERLIN reports Failure to comply with supervision requirements including civil injunctions or measures intended to safeguard a child or vulnerable person Any notification requiremens, restrictions on movelment or activity, bail or license conditions |
NON-INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS HISTORY |
Attachment experiences Social networks and friendship groups through chidhood, adolescence and adulthood Relationships with authority figuers e.g. teachers, managers /employers, law enforcement and stautory agencies Close or "Best" Friends Relationships with neighbours Reason for breakdown in any relationships / friendships Anti social behavior Engagement with community e.g. clubs, societies, facilities, services and institutions |
INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS HISTORY |
Sexual development history Earliest sexual experiences with another person Subsequent relationship history_ how the relationships started, duration, how they ended Positive and negative characteristics of the relationship History of violent, abusive, coercive or controlling relationships (as victim and / or perpetrator) History of volatile relationship Infidelity |
MOOD |
Current mood and mental health state History of mood fluctuations or affective disordere Violent or suicidal ideation Hopes and plans for the future (optimistic or pesimistic) |
ATTITUDES |
Evidene of attitudes, beliefs, values, and cognitions that support or condone sexual violence Deviant sexual interests Attitudes, such as a male prerogative or misogyny Cognitive distortions Sexual entitlement beliefs, Tolerance of offending. Attitudes that support or condone Extreme minimisation or denial of sexual violence Lack of empathy and remorse. |
STRESS AND COPING |
Exposure to severe, frequent, or varied stresses deficits in coping skills, Maladaptive coping mechanisms, Vulnerability Neuroticism or negative affectivity Adjustment problems Emotional self-regulation |