Did you know that we offer specialist risk assessments?
The Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP) assessment: Alongside our core work providing Circles of Support and Accountability for adults and young people who have sexually harmed, we are able to offer specialist risk assessments in order to support risk management and decision making regarding a known or alleged perpetrator of sexual harm. Risk assessments are conducted by our well qualified staff who have extensive experience in working with people who sexually harm. We use the accredited tool, the Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP), to conduct these assessments, enhanced by our professional experience of risk assessment and risk management with the Probation Service.
The RSVP is a set of structured professional judgement guidelines for the assessment and management of risk for sexual violence, designed to help evaluators make two major decisions; the first being the potential for sexual violence regarding nature, likelihood, seriousness and imminence, the second concerns identifying feasible and effective means of mitigating the risk. The RSVP acknowledges that the term sexual violence is synonymous with sexual assault and sexual abuse and includes a broad range of behaviours from online to serious contact offending.
The assessments are particularly useful for Children’s Services where there are concerns regarding the viability and safety of contact with a parent who has a current allegation or previous allegation/ conviction of a sexual offence.
The RSVP assessment process is thorough and in-depth. It includes up to three face-to-face interviews with the person of concern. Relevant professionals, such as Social Workers, Probation Officers and Police Officers are consulted and any existing assessments are taken into consideration. Where appropriate, family members are also interviewed. Relevant supporting documents and reports are thoroughly reviewed as part of the RSVP assessment process. The nature of the (alleged) sexual violence and the perpetrator characteristics are considered by analysing twenty three risk factors, identified from research to be associated with the risk of sexual violence, and their relevance to future risk and its management. Risk factors are divided into two main domains; nature of sexual violence and perpetrator characteristics (split into sub domains of psychological adjustment, mental health, social adjustment and manageability). The structured professional judgment approach allows for consideration of the uniqueness of individual circumstances. A comprehensive report is prepared with recommendations for the management of risks identified. The assessment process includes the formulation of possible future risk scenarios and aims to support informed decision-making regarding risk management plans.
For further information, please contact us at info@circlessw.org.uk
