Sex Offender Risk Assessment in Latin America: An Exploratory Study

Most cross-cultural research on sex offender risk assessment measures have simply examined translated risk assessment tools, developed primarily in United States, Canada, and Europe. This approach relies on the assumption that risk and protective factors are universal and these adaptations do not consider the impact culturally specific norms, values, or beliefs may have on an individuals' behavior. Although recent evidence has demonstrated the lower predictive utility of commonly used risk assessment tools with Latino sex offenders in the United States, no research to date has attempted to identify risk and protective factors that may be unique to Latin American cultures. In this exploratory qualitative study, 11 forensic mental health professionals who evaluate sex offenders in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico were interviewed about their approach to assessing risk of sexual reoffending and their perspective on the culturally specific risk and protective factors that might be pertinent to Latin American sex offenders. Most professionals reported using the Spanish translation of the SVR-20 to guide their risk assessment of sex offenders. They also identified culturally specific risk factors, such as machismo and the existence of subcultures where incest is viewed as normative, that should be considered when assessing sex offender recidivism risk in Latin America, yet these factors are not integrated into the existing risk assessment instruments. Results may inform the development of culturally responsive sex offender risk assessment tools. Recommendations to improve the assessment of Latin American sex offenders and increase the acceptance of expert testimony in Latin American courts are also discussed.