Overview

This article reviews three competing legal/clinical theories for “volitional impairment” in SVP cases and summarizes a survey of experienced forensic evaluators. Findings show major inconsistency and low interrater reliability in how volitional control is defined and assessed, supporting calls for more structured, evidence-based methods and clearer documentation in reports.

Summary

The factor of volitional control is present in all SVP assessments. Despite being addressed in Kansas v Hendricks (1997) and Kansas v Crane (2002), there continues to be no consistent means of defining or assessing volitional control.  

The authors of this study bring three main theories of volitional control to the fore.

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The post Volitional Impairment in Sexually Violent Predator Cases first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

A summary of a study to create a universal definition for the term grooming, developed by using the Sexual Grooming Model.

Summary

Grooming is a term that is seen often in psychosexual evaluations and sentencing documents for contact sexual offenses. 

It is also something that is seen in sexually violent predator assessments. 

However, even though evaluators, attorneys and law enforcement are familiar with the term, it is not always used in the same fashion. Therefore, a universal definition would be helpful. 

The most universally accepted model is aptly titled the Sexual Grooming Model. 

The Sexual Grooming Model

This model states that behaviors leading to abuse can be broken down into 5 stages. These are:

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The post What is Grooming? first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

What works best for treating sexually violent persons in civil commitment programs? Results from both treatment providers and patients.

Summary

The topic of this journal article is one that is not frequently studied or, perhaps, thought about. 

Dr. Vincent and colleagues, as part of adherence to the Risk Needs Responsivity Model, studied the patient satisfaction of individuals who were civilly committed and thus mandated to treatment in their civil commitment programs.

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The post Patient Satisfaction in Civil Commitment Treatment Programs first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

Sexually Violent Predator evaluations carry heavy consequences. This study examines the reliability of these evaluations in California from 2012 to 2017.

Summary

Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) assessments are conducted in different ways in different states. However, in all states, the results of these evaluations carry heavy consequences. 

Evaluators are often left making SVP opinions based on vague statutes and non-uniform evaluations.

Often, different evaluators come to differing conclusions for the same individual based on the same information, thus calling into question the reliability of these evaluations.

How does California do Sexually Violent Predator Evaluations

This study sought to address the reliability of SVP evaluations in California.

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The post Sexually Violent Predator Evaluations: Are they reliable? first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

A paper examining the complexities of using a paraphilia diagnosis for Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) civil commitment after the completion of sentencing.

Summary

Many states have laws that allow for those individuals who are deemed to be Sexually Violent Predators to be civilly committed after they have completed their sentences. 

Though the constitutionality of these laws has been challenged, they have been held up based on the rulings of Kansas v Hendricks and Kansas v Crane. Essential to the statute is that the individual have a “mental abnormality,” or defect.

This abnormality must also have overcome their volitional control which allowed them to commit a sexual offense. 

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The post Paraphilia Diagnoses in SVP Civil Commitment Cases first appeared on Mitigation Aide.

Overview

What are the most frequent ACE items endorsed by sexually violent persons and can they be used as predictors for recidivism?

Summary

Using a previous study as a building block, Kahn at al (2021) looked at Adverse Childhood Experiences in 317 individuals who were identified as sexually violent predators and were in a secure treatment facility. In addition to looking at ACE scores, this study sought to address whether there were any associations between ACE scores and risk of sexual recidivism and mental health diagnoses.

The post Adverse Childhood Experiences in Sexually Violent Persons first appeared on Mitigation Aide.