Comparing the Static-99R and the Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) in two Canadian samples adjudicated of child sexual exploitation material offenses

Abstract

Static-99R is a widely used, extensively researched, and validated risk assessment measure for sexual recidivism among men. However, individuals who have committed child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses but who have not produced CSEM or directly offended against a victim do not meet the scoring criteria. In a combined sample of 484 men convicted of CSEM offenses in two provinces (Ontario and Québec) in Canada, the discrimination and calibration of the Static-99R was examined. We also examined the convergent validity of the Static-99R with the more recently developed, purpose built, Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT). Static-99R and CPORT total scores were moderately and positively correlated (r = 0.63). Static-99R predicted sexual, CSEM, and violent recidivism for both the full sample, as well as those who met Static-99R scoring criteria. Static-99R did not predict sexual or violent recidivism in CSEM cases that did not meet Static-99R scoring criteria. CPORT was a better predictor of any sexual recidivism and CSEM recidivism compared to the Static-99R. Calibration analyses suggested the Static-99R underestimated the number of sexual recidivists observed in our sample. The current study suggests that Static-99R can be valid for some men with CSEM offenses, however, caution is recommended for using the sexual recidivism norms for CSEM offending men because they may underestimate their actual sexual reoffending rate.