| Abstract: | Child molesters confined to secure settings because of their dangerousness present those responsible for their release with thorny problems of assessment. Penile volume measurements can provide valuable information regarding the sexual preferences of these persons but such information is not an infallible predictor of a child molester's dangerousness. Similarly, the fact he has received aversion therapy does not make the decision regarding his release appreciably easier because success rates with this therapy are not high enough to allow confidence in making individual decisions. Further research is needed to determine the relation of penile volume and other measures to recidivism in this population, to clarify the theoretical nature of aversion therapy and to develop more effective methods of therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
