Sexually violent predators: the risky enterprise of risk assessment.

The Risky Business of Conducting Risk Assessments for Those Already Civilly Committed as Sexually Violent Predators

The civil commitment of sexually violent predators: a unique Texas approach.

Numerous states have enacted statutes focusing on the civil commitment of sexually violent predators. The Texas statute, like many others, calls for the involuntary commitment of those with a mental abnormality--specifically in Texas, a behavioral abnormality--who are likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence. All of these states, except Texas, have passed legislation creating inpat...

Dangerous Diagnoses, Risky Assumptions, and the Failed Experiment of “sexually Violent Predator” Commitment

In its 1997 opinion, Kansas v. Hendricks, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law that reflected a new model of civil commitment. The targets of this new commitment law were dubbed “Sexually Violent Predators” (SVPs), and the Court upheld indefinite detention of these individuals on the assumption that there is a psychiatrically distinct class of individuals who, unlike typical recidivists, have a ...

The Prevalence of Risky Sexual Behaviors and Awareness of STDs Among Temporary Residents of Homeless Shelters in Tehran

Background: Risky sexual behaviors expose people to sexual transmitted diseases. These behaviors are usually common among homeless people, so educational programs would help them to avoid high risk behaviors. Understanding STD awareness and the common types of risky behaviors among homeless people would provide a good context for designing appropriate educational plans. Aim: This study was perf...

Masculinities and condom use patterns among young rural South Africa men: a cross-sectional baseline survey

BACKGROUND Notions of ideal manhood in South Africa are potentially prescriptive of male sexuality thus accounting for the behaviors which may lead to men being at greater HIV risk. We tested the hypothesis that gender and relationship constructs are associated with condom use among young men living in rural South Africa. METHODS 1219 men aged 15-26 years completed a cross-sectional baseline ...