The Static-99R Is Not Valid For Women: Predictive Validity in 739 Females Who Have Sexually Offended. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marshall, Ethan; Miller, Holly A.; Cortoni, Franca; Helmus, L. Maaike
• Is Part Of: Sexual abuse. Volume 33:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 631
• Page End: 653
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: female sexual offenders -- sexual recidivism -- risk assessment -- Static-99R -- prediction; Sex offenders -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.8583
• DOI: 10.1177/1079063220940303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-0632

Abstract

Although many instruments have been validated to assess risk of sexual recidivism among men, no similar tool exists for women who have sexually offended. As a result, some jurisdictions use male-based instruments to assess women despite the lack of validation research examining the predictive utility for this subgroup. This study examined the utility of the Static-99R in predicting sexual recidivism among women. Based on a sample of 739 women convicted of sexual offenses in Texas, findings show that the total score was not significantly associated with sexual recidivism. When looking at individual items, other than a history of prior sexual offenses and noncontact sexual offenses, no item of the Static-99R was significantly associated with sexual recidivism among women. Furthermore, only three items (female victims/solo offender, 4+ sentencing dates, and having not lived with a romantic other for 2+ years) were significantly associated with nonsexual recidivism. These findings indicate that the Static-99R is not suitable to assess risk of recidivism among women convicted of sexual offenses.