Ethical issues regarding risk assessment and treatment of sex offenders in Brazil

Abstract

In this article we discuss ethical issues associated with the use of actuarial (statistical) tests developed in other countries or on unique populations, with offenders in Brazil who are very different from the test-development sample. This practice is problematic in that it could result in prolonging incarceration or the premature release of a dangerous individual. Other measures, such as the structured professional clinical guidelines may provide a short-term solution to the widespread use of unguided professional judgement and the lack of population-based actuarial tests. While current assessment measures may provide some idea of treatment needs, Brazil is also lagging behind in terms of applying “state of the art” sex offender treatment, both pharmacologically and psychologically. We discuss how these issues are related and suggest some means for their resolution.