Sex Offender Evaluations

Question: What is a Sex Offender evaluation?

Answer: In Indiana, a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) is someone “who suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes the individual likely to repeatedly commit a sex offense.” [Indiana Code 35-38-1-7.5.] An offender may petition for a hearing to remove the SVP designation. If the court approves the petition, they assign 2 professionals to conduct separate psychological evaluations.

What is assessed during a Sex Offender Evaluation?

  • Sexual developmental history, sexual arousal patterns and interest, deviance and paraphilic disorders
  • Personality pathology and strengths
  • Criminal history
  • Mental health history
  • Drug and alcohol history
  • Past and present maladaptive behaviors
  • Medical/neurological/pharmacological needs
  • High-risk behaviors
  • Risk of re-offense based on a combination of factors
  • Level of treatment and supervision needed
  • Level of deception, denial, minimization and use of justifications
  • Other factors as requested by attorney or court