An examination of latent constructs of dynamic sexual violence risk and need as a function of indigenous and nonindigenous ancestry.

The present study examined latent constructs of dynamic sexual violence risk and need, as measured by the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offense version (VRS-SO), as a function of Indigenous ancestry among a Canadian federal sample of 1,063 treated men convicted for a sexual offense. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis of VRS-SO dynamic items ratings supported a correlated 3-factor oblique solution across Indigenous (n = 393) and nonindigenous (n = 670) groups, corresponding broadly to the domains of sexual deviance, criminality, and treatment responsivity. Associations examined between pre- and posttreatment rated factor scores and sexual and violent recidivism were moderated less by Indigenous ancestry and more by victim profile. Specifically, sexual deviance scores were significantly associated with 5- and 10-year sexual recidivism outcomes among both ancestral groups, but only among men with exclusively child victims. Further, criminality was predictive of all outcomes, particularly violent recidivism, irrespective of ancestry or victim type. Treatment responsivity was significantly predictive of sexual and violent recidivism, but only among men who had an adult victim. Change scores on all 3 factors, while controlling for pretreatment score, were significantly associated with decreased sexual and violent recidivism across ancestry and victim groups. Results underscore a common structure to sexual violence risk that emerges from the VRS-SO for Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and that risk and change scores from the three factor domains have comparable predictive properties across these broad ancestral groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Using the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offense version in sexual violence risk assessments: Updated risk categories and recidivism estimates from a multisite sample of treated sexual offenders.

The present study sought to develop updated risk categories and recidivism estimates for the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offense version (VRS-SO; Wong, Olver, Nicholaichuk, & Gordon, 2003-2017), a sexual offender risk assessment and treatment planning tool. The overarching purpose was to increase the clarity and accuracy of communicating risk assessment information that includes a systematic incorporation of new information (i.e., change) to modify risk estimates. Four treated samples of sexual offenders with VRS-SO pretreatment, posttreatment, and Static-99R ratings were combined with a minimum follow-up period of 10-years postrelease (N = 913). Logistic regression was used to model 5- and 10-year sexual and violent (including sexual) recidivism estimates across 6 different regression models employing specific risk and change score information from the VRS-SO and/or Static-99R. A rationale is presented for clinical applications of select models and the necessity of controlling for baseline risk when utilizing change information across repeated assessments. Information concerning relative risk (percentiles) and absolute risk (recidivism estimates) is integrated with common risk assessment language guidelines to generate new risk categories for the VRS-SO. Guidelines for model selection and forensic clinical application of the risk estimates are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Predictive Accuracy of Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender Version Risk and Change Scores in Treated Canadian Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Sexual Offenders.

The present study examined the predictive properties of Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO) risk and change scores among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal sexual offenders in a combined sample of 1,063 Canadian federally incarcerated men. All men participated in sexual offender treatment programming through the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) at sites across its five regions. The Static-99R was also examined for comparison purposes. In total, 393 of the men were identified as Aboriginal (i.e., First Nations, Métis, Circumpolar) while 670 were non-Aboriginal and primarily White. Aboriginal men scored significantly higher on the Static-99R and VRS-SO and had higher rates of sexual and violent recidivism; however, there were no significant differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups on treatment change with both groups demonstrating close to a half-standard deviation of change pre and post treatment. VRS-SO risk and change scores significantly predicted sexual and violent recidivism over fixed 5- and 10-year follow-ups for both racial/ancestral groups. Cox regression survival analyses also demonstrated positive treatment changes to be significantly associated with reductions in sexual and violent recidivism among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men after controlling baseline risk. A series of follow-up Cox regression analyses demonstrated that risk and change score information accounted for much of the observed differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men in rates of sexual recidivism; however, marked group differences persisted in rates of general violent recidivism even after controlling for these covariates. The results support the predictive properties of VRS-SO risk and change scores with treated Canadian Aboriginal sexual offenders.

Sexual Offender Treatment Readiness, Responsivity, and Change: Linkages to Treatment Completion and Recidivism.

This study examined the interrelationship of treatment readiness, responsivity variables, and treatment change to sexual offender treatment outcome, featuring the Treatment Readiness, Responsivity, and Gain Scale: Short Version (TRRG:SV). The sample was composed of 185 Canadian federal offenders who attended a high-intensity sexual offender treatment program and were followed up an average of 9.3 years postrelease. Men with higher levels of education, employment history, and cognitive ability and who were married or equivalent, did not have a serious mental illness or intellectual disability, and were not actuarially high risk tended to show higher levels of treatment engagement across the TRRG:SV subscales. Significant pre-post changes, denoting improvement, were observed on the TRRG:SV. In turn, positive treatment engagement assessed by the TRRG:SV was associated with increased risk-relevant treatment change, decreased program attrition, and reductions in sexual and violent recidivism, even after controlling for baseline risk. The role of attention to responsivity variables and treatment readiness to promote client engagement and maximize therapeutic benefit is underscored.

Use of the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender Version and the Stable 2007 to assess dynamic sexual violence risk in a sample of treated sexual offenders.

The present study provides an examination of dynamic sexual violence risk featuring the Stable-2007 (Hanson, Harris, Scott, & Helmus, 2007) and the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO; Wong, Olver, Nicholaichuk, & Gordon, 2003) in a Canadian sample of 180 federally incarcerated sexual offenders who attended a high-intensity sexual offender treatment program. Archival pretreatment and posttreatment ratings were completed on the VRS-SO and Stable-2007, and recidivism data were obtained from official criminal records, with the sample being followed up approximately 10 years postrelease. VRS-SO pre- and posttreatment dynamic scores demonstrated significant predictive accuracy for sexual, nonsexual violent, any violent (including sexual), and general recidivism, while Stable-2007 pre- and posttreatment scores were significantly associated with the latter 3 outcomes; these associations were maintained after controlling for the Static-99R (Helmus, Thornton, Hanson, & Babchishin, 2012). Finally, significant pre-post differences, amounting to approximately three quarters of a standard deviation, were found on Stable-2007 and VRS-SO scores. VRS-SO change scores were significantly associated with reductions in nonsexual violent, any violent, and general recidivism (but not sexual recidivism) after controlling for baseline risk or pretreatment score, while Stable-2007 change scores did not significantly predict reductions in any recidivism outcomes. Applications of these tools within the context of dynamic sexual violence risk assessment incorporating the use of change information are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record