P036. Evaluating the Usefulness of the New Sexual Violence Risk Assessment Instrument (Hexagon)

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

There is a lack of reliable, evidence-based risk assessment tools to support professionals in making informed decisions when suspicions of an individual's sexual misconduct toward minors arise. Most existing tools rely on detailed information, often incomplete in practice, leaving practitioners uncertain about the best course of action. This presentation aims to introduce professionals to the challenges of assessment of people with a sexual interest in children, focusing on the pilot study of the new sexual violence risk assessment instrument "Risk and Desistance Hexagon" developed within the framework of the project "2PS - Prevent and Protect through Support" funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe. The instrument comprises six domains of risk factors (e.g., sexuality, antisociality, mental health, lifestyle and context, self-regulation, and relationships) and six domains of desistance factors (e.g., agency, prospects, contentment, network, relationships, and meaningfulness). A focus group of diverse specialists, including mental health professionals, child protection specialists, and social workers in Lithuania, explored key aspects of the instrument's development. The study results showed that the Hexagon was considered a valuable and supportive tool, particularly for its preventive role in risk assessment. It helps reduce uncertainty, facilitates structured decision-making, and identifies information gaps, making it useful in practical work. However, despite its strengths, the Hexagon faces challenges such as time demands, reliance on personal experience, and ambiguities in the flag system that can impact consistency and acceptance. The presentation will cover the instrument's structure and key challenges while also offering an overview of the cross-cultural context of sexual violence risk assessment and discussing the applicability and limitations of the Hexagon.

Author

• Ilona Laurinaityte, Professor of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University