CONCEPT Continuing & Professional Studies, Palo Alto University

This self-paced training program on Evaluation of Risk for Sexual Violence using the Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP) and the Sexual Violence Risk-20 Version 2 (SVR-20 V2) is presented by Stephen D. Hart, PhD

Sexual violence—and, in particular, the diversity of both sexual violence and the people who commit sexual violence—presents tremendous challenges for professionals responsible for assessment and treatment. Actuarial risk assessment methods, which focus on identifying risk level based on statistical profiles, do little to assist identification of critical risk factors or the development of management plans in a given case. In this course, Dr. Hart discusses the use of structured professional judgment (SPJ) guidelines in sexual violence risk assessment. He begins by reviewing the SPJ approach, highlighting its potential strengths with respect to developing case formulations and management plans. Next, he describes two sets of SPJ guidelines, the Sexual Violence Risk-20 Version 2 (SVR-20 V2) and Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP) and their administration procedures, focusing on their application to developing formulations (case conceptualizations) and management plans. Finally, participants practice the administration of the SVR-20 V2 and RSVP in two case studies.