Cultural Considerations in the Assessment of Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses

Description

Although sexual aggression takes place in almost all cultures in the world, various cultural values and practices may increase its prevalence while others may protect against it. the inclusion of cultural information in assessments can be very helpful in understanding the context in which the individual functions, what may have contributed to their offenses, and what may help their rehabilitation while under their supervision/custody of the justice system. Professionals involved in these cases need to become familiar with the culture of those assess (through formal and informal channel, such as readings, trainings, and learning from community members, including the person being evaluated, family members, clergy, and/or other community leaders). Consequently, assessments are most helpful when they contain information about the individual, family, neighborhood, community (e.g., work) cultural values/practices, and interactions with various systems (e.g., legal). The focus of inquiry should be not only factors that may have led to their engagement in sexual aggression, but also on individual, familial, cultural, or community strengths and supports on which the person could rely to avoid future offenses. Learning Objectives: 1) Participants will become familiar cultural competence assessment practices, including with respect to psychosocial as well as objective (measures) assessments. 2) Participants will be able to identify potential cultural values/practices that can promote or prevent sexual aggression 3) Participants will be able to develop approaches to their work that incorporates cultural factors and, in particular, includes strengths that could be fostered to prevent future sexual aggression.