Assessing Risk for Sexual Recidivism
A risk assessment attempts to predict the likelihood, probability, or potential for future behavior of concern, and is always based on a prior history of such behavior. Risk assessment is therefore based on a history of behaviors that indicate a possible trajectory for continued problematic behavior in the absence of interventions or events that may interrupt the behavioral trend.
However, it is important to note that there is no certain way to determine whether or not problematic behavior will continue. It is only possible to assess the possibility or likelihood of continued problematic behavior based on history and information presented and collected during the course of the assessment.
However, it is important to note that there is no certain way to determine whether or not problematic behavior will continue. It is only possible to assess the possibility or likelihood of continued problematic behavior based on history and information presented and collected during the course of the assessment.
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Even an assessment of high risk does not necessarily mean that an individual will re-offend or continue to engage in sexually troubled behavior, even under conditions that may allow a sexual re-offense.
It is more appropriate to understand the assessment of risk as a way of recognizing a preponderance or collection of risk factors |
and, in particular, factors that pertain to each individual and continue to represent risk for that person. From this perspective, an assigned risk level represents the number and type of risk factors most pertinent to that individual, and the areas of risk that may be a focus for treatment, management, and/or supervision.
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Click button for the J-RAT, CI/J-RAT, and LA-SAAT Risk Assessment Instruments for initial assessment and interim re-assessment
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