Few offences are as repulsive and as newsworthy as sexual assault. Sexual offences are often violent and in many cases the perpetrator is known to the victim. Of course, the issue is made even more emotional because the majority of offences are committed against women and children. The laws governing these types of offences make provision for strict sentences but in most cases the courts require an official sex offender risk assessment before they make any decisions.
The evaluation is not only performed when convicted delinquents are considered for parole. In fact, the evaluation is used to help the courts and other authorities to make various decisions. For example, some delinquents are still juveniles and others suffer from a variety of disorders that cause them to exhibit a limited sense of awareness or the ability to judge between right and wrong.
The results of the evaluation are routinely used in determining whether a convicted criminal can be considered for parole. If parole is approved, the evaluation is also used to consider the type of supervision the paroled person will require and even the conditions of the parole. The outcomes of the report also play an important role in determining the type of sentence that will be ordered by the court.
When the authorities assess a case of sexual delinquency their first and most important priority is to make sure that the interests and safety of the community is the main concern. In some cases the name of the offender is released to the community but in other cases it is deemed unnecessary or that such an action may endanger the safety of the convict himself.
Evaluations of suspects of sexual offences are not only assessed when they are arrested or brought to trial. Follow up evaluations are performed after sentence has been passed and even if the convicted person is on parole he must still report of periodic evaluations. In this way a reliable picture is formed regarding the stability of the convict, the progress he makes towards rehabilitation and his compliance with the conditions set by the authorities.
When an evaluation is performed different experts are employed to assess four categories. The likelihood that the delinquent will commit a similar offence is an important part of the evaluation. The likelihood that the delinquent can be rehabilitated is also assessed and a detailed mental health evaluation helps to determine whether an intervention can be of benefit. The entire process aims to reduce the likelihood of a repeat offence and to limit victimization of the convicted individual.
Conducting this type of evaluation is a complicated and sometime lengthy business. A number of experts are involved. The team may include a social worker, representatives from the correctional services, psychiatrists and behavioral scientists, to name just a few. Discrepancies between the findings of different experts may lead to further, more thorough evaluations. It has been proven, however, that the recommendations contained in these evaluations are generally reliable.
Public reactions to sexual offences are among the most emotionally charged and often cause fear, outrage and a demand for revenge. However, the justice system must operate according to the rules. Every accused is deemed innocent until proven guilty. This is why courts rely heavily on professional evaluations of every accused in a sexual assault case.
The evaluation is not only performed when convicted delinquents are considered for parole. In fact, the evaluation is used to help the courts and other authorities to make various decisions. For example, some delinquents are still juveniles and others suffer from a variety of disorders that cause them to exhibit a limited sense of awareness or the ability to judge between right and wrong.
The results of the evaluation are routinely used in determining whether a convicted criminal can be considered for parole. If parole is approved, the evaluation is also used to consider the type of supervision the paroled person will require and even the conditions of the parole. The outcomes of the report also play an important role in determining the type of sentence that will be ordered by the court.
When the authorities assess a case of sexual delinquency their first and most important priority is to make sure that the interests and safety of the community is the main concern. In some cases the name of the offender is released to the community but in other cases it is deemed unnecessary or that such an action may endanger the safety of the convict himself.
Evaluations of suspects of sexual offences are not only assessed when they are arrested or brought to trial. Follow up evaluations are performed after sentence has been passed and even if the convicted person is on parole he must still report of periodic evaluations. In this way a reliable picture is formed regarding the stability of the convict, the progress he makes towards rehabilitation and his compliance with the conditions set by the authorities.
When an evaluation is performed different experts are employed to assess four categories. The likelihood that the delinquent will commit a similar offence is an important part of the evaluation. The likelihood that the delinquent can be rehabilitated is also assessed and a detailed mental health evaluation helps to determine whether an intervention can be of benefit. The entire process aims to reduce the likelihood of a repeat offence and to limit victimization of the convicted individual.
Conducting this type of evaluation is a complicated and sometime lengthy business. A number of experts are involved. The team may include a social worker, representatives from the correctional services, psychiatrists and behavioral scientists, to name just a few. Discrepancies between the findings of different experts may lead to further, more thorough evaluations. It has been proven, however, that the recommendations contained in these evaluations are generally reliable.
Public reactions to sexual offences are among the most emotionally charged and often cause fear, outrage and a demand for revenge. However, the justice system must operate according to the rules. Every accused is deemed innocent until proven guilty. This is why courts rely heavily on professional evaluations of every accused in a sexual assault case.
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