Discussion

Civil commitment of violent sex offenders often involves different types of forensic psychology professionals who must set aside personal empathy-bias. Licensed forensic psychologists conduct violence risk assessments as part of civil commitment court proceedings to determine whether the offender presents sufficient community risk for community placement. Licensed forensic mental health professionals provide treatment in the civil commitment setting. Other forensic psychology professionals in the community, as well as in the civil commitment setting, provide assessment and offer recommendations as case managers, probation or parole officers, or as other law enforcement officers. Because civil commitment involves curtailment of civil liberties by confinement, the forensic psychology professional needs to objectively consider a number of factors when making recommendations. These factors include ethical guidelines, the violent sexual offenders needs and rights, and the communitys needs for safety.

For this Discussion, you consider ethical issues, the need for community safety, and relevant research findings about violent sex offenders.

To prepare:

Read the Learning Resources.

Note: If you are an international student, you may use your local or regional code of ethics.

Adult male, 22 years old, convicted of sexually assaulting an adult female

During the sexual assault, the victims arm was broken, her skull was lacerated, and she suffered numerous cuts and bruises.

Implicated in several other sexual assault cases, including a 15-year-old female

Has an extensive history of juvenile crime, including violent offenses

Was compliant on probation as a juvenile, but has never had community supervision as an adult

Has a GED and full-time job as a plumber apprentice

Has a live-in female partner with no legal history

Has no narcotic or other substance offenses but has tested positive previously for THC (marijuana)

Has a GED and full-time job as a plumber apprentice

Has a live-in female partner with no legal history

Immediate family members consisting of mother and two sisters with no legal history live in the community

Was rated by a forensic psychology professional as a moderate risk to the community for sex and other offenses

Post a response that summarizes your recommendation of either civil commitment or community supervision and your rationale based on scholarly literature. Be sure to do the following:

Recommend that the violent sex offender in the case summary either undergo civil commitment or be placed in the community under supervision.

 Explain your recommendation in terms of ethical considerations, legal and clinical data about the violent sex offender in the case summary, and the needs of the community.

Base your recommendations on scholarly literature about ethical guidelines, civil commitment of violent sexual offenders, community supervision, features of the offenders legal and clinical history, and the needs of the community.

Describe at least one ethical guideline that the forensic psychology professional needs to take into account when making decisions about violent sex offenders that pertain to potentially restricting someones freedom.

Briefly describe relevant issues and research pertaining to the needs of the community and the needs of the offender when theres a history of violent sexual offenses.

Explain the role of social change when pondering decisions about recommendations for violent sex offenders and members of their community that weigh the needs of the community versus those of violent sex offenders.