Cultural Considerations in Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Treatment

Maria Aparcero Suero

Sex offender risk assessment instruments were primarily developed in North America and Europe using predominantly White offender samples, often failing to consider the unique experiences and values of culturally diverse offenders. Differences across race, ethnicity, and culture may impact the validity and utility of risk assessment tools; therefore, practitioners should not presume their cross-cultural validity. Additionally, cultural characteristics are relevant for effective treatment interventions. This plenary will discuss how sociocultural characteristics may influence an individual’s path to sex offending, risk factors, and treatment responsiveness. By not accounting for these cultural dimensions, professionals may not develop a culturally sensitive risk formulation and management plan, leading to ineffective interventions and potentially unjust legal outcomes. This presentation will draw from research and professional experiences with Latin American populations to exemplify potential limitations with available risk assessment tools, culturally salient risk factors, and specific needs that may need to be considered within current risk assessment and treatment frameworks. For instance, cultural attitudes such as machismo and the normalization of certain sexual behaviors in some communities may influence both offending patterns and treatment responsivity. Furthermore, this plenary will address existing barriers to practitioners serving Latin American sex offenders and recommendations for culturally sensitive risk assessment and intervention strategies. The plenary session will conclude with considerations for future research needed before undertaking projects to culturally adapt or replace existing instruments or treatment programs. 

Maria Aparcero Suero, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in California, USA. She works at the California Department of State Hospitals-Patton as a senior psychologist specialist conducting forensic evaluations, both in English and Spanish, on a wide range of criminal and civil forensic issues, including competency to stand trial, conservatorship, feigning, and violence/sexual recidivism risk assessments. She also provides expert testimony, training, and consultation in forensic psychology-related topics, and collaborates in applied research projects. Dr. Aparcero Suero’s research examines the validity of psychological and forensic assessments, emphasizes their application with culturally and linguistically diverse adults, and provides practical solutions to support practitioners’ needs through, for example, the development or adaptation of assessment instruments. She has published in the areas of violence and sex offender risk, malingering, cross-cultural assessment, immigration evaluations, and intellectual disability screening in correctional settings.