Sexual recidivism in sex offenders.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the recidivism rates of the various types of adult sex offenders including incest offenders, extrafamilial child molesters, exhibitionists, and rapists.


METHODS
An examination of the literature over the past 4 decades and the data from our own study group.


RESULTS
Methodological shortfalls and differences across the studies make statistical appraisal of the results difficult. Nevertheless, there is a consensus that incest offenders are less likely to reoffend compared with extrafamilial child molesters. Rapists and exhibitionists are thought to be at a higher risk for recidivism.


CONCLUSIONS
A combined actuarial predictive approach in conjunction with empirically guided clinical assessment is probably the best method to predict recidivism of sex offenders.
Greenberg
D M
DM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario. dgreenbe@rohcg.on.ca
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005084:Exhibitionism / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007179:Incest / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology