Sexual reconviction rates in the United Kingdom and actuarial risk estimates

Craig, Leam A., Browne, Kevin D., Stringer, Ian and Hogue, Todd (2008) Sexual reconviction rates in the United Kingdom and actuarial risk estimates. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32 (1). pp. 121-138. ISSN 0145-2134

Full content URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.09.002

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Sexual reconviction rates in the United Kingdom and actuarial risk estimates
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Abstract

Objective: Assessing the risk of further offending behavior by adult sexual perpetrators of children is highly relevant
and important to professionals involved in child protection. Recent progress in assessing risk in sexual offenders has established the validity of actuarial measures, although there continues to be some debate about the application of these instruments. This paper summarizes the debate between clinical and actuarial approaches and reviews the “base rate” for United Kingdom sexual offense reconviction.
Method: A review of the literature revealed 16 UK sexual reconviction studies, 8 using incarcerated samples
(N= 5,915) and 8 using non-incarcerated samples (N= 1,274). UK estimates of sexual reconviction rates are
compared with European and North American studies.
Results: The mean sexual reconviction rates for the incarcerated sample at 2 years (6.0%), 4 years (7.8%) and 6
years or more (19.5%) were higher than that of the comparative non-incarcerated sample at 2 years (5.7%), up to
4 years (5.9%), and 6 years or more (15.5%). The overall sexual reconviction rate for both samples combined was
5.8% at 2 years, and 17.5% at 6 years or more.
Conclusions: The sexual reconviction rate for incarcerated sexual offenders is higher than that of non-incarcerated
sexual offenders. The UK sexual reconviction rates were comparable with European and North American studies.

Keywords:Risk Assessment, Sexual Recidivism, Base Rates, Forensic Psychology
Subjects:C Biological Sciences > C800 Psychology
C Biological Sciences > C890 Psychology not elsewhere classified
Divisions:College of Social Science > School of Psychology
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ID Code:2837
Deposited On:09 Jul 2010 09:11

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