Regression study exploring whether sexual knowledge predicts the risk of sex -offending behavior in intellectually disabled adult male sex -offenders

The current literature proposes that one of the etiologic factors that may influence sexual offending in people with intellectual disabilities is a lack of sexual knowledge. This proposition is described by the theory of counterfeit deviance and represents the theoretical foundation for the present study. The problem is that the literature provides contradictory evidence as to whether sexual knowledge is related to the risk of future sex offenses. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether a lack of sexual knowledge predicts risk of future sex offenses by intellectually disabled adult male sex-offenders. A convenience sample of 53 intellectually disabled adult male sex-offenders, living in a secure residential facility in New York State, were assessed for sexual knowledge and attitudes using the Socio-Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Assessment Tool-Revised, and for risk of committing future sex offenses using the Static-99. Scores on these instruments were evaluated using correlation and regression analyses. The results indicate that intellectually disabled sex-offenders had more knowledge about sex and sexual issues than intellectually disabled non-offenders. Specifically, intellectually disabled sex-offenders, who are at a high risk of future sex-offending behavior, had significantly more knowledge about sex than non-offenders. These findings have important social change implications for providing a basis for improved sex offender treatment and more accurate assessment of recidivism risk within this population. Specifically, for those sex offender treatment programs in which sex education is a core component of sex offender treatment for this population, these findings suggest that, while such education may be important for increased independence and quality of life, it is not effective in decreasing risk of future sex offenses. Instead, treatment focusing on other developmental factors may be more beneficial.