Understanding the Importance of Protective Factors in our Work with Youth and Emerging Adults

Following a critical review of the risk-focused tools and approaches that have been popular for many years, we will review some of the emerging research regarding protective factors—factors that protect against sexually abusive behavior. We will then briefly discuss the development of the PROFESOR (Protective and Risk Observations For Eliminating Sexual Offense Recidivism): a checklist designed to identify risk and protective factors for individuals aged 12‐25 who have engaged in, or have been accused of engaging in, illegal or otherwise abusive sexual behavior. The goal of the PROFESOR is to provide information regarding the nature and intensity of interventions that will facilitate sexual and relationship health and, thus, eliminate sexual offense recidivism.

At the conclusion of this Lunch and Learn session, participants will be able to: 

• Describe the scientific and practical limitations regarding our ability to accurately predict future sexual recidivism
• List three of the emerging research regarding protective factors for sexual recidivism
• Describe the design and purpose of the PROFESOR

February 28, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST. Register here.