Our Services: West Michigan
Sexual Abuse Prevention Services

Abel - ASI (Assessment for Sexual Interest). The Abel Assessment for sexual interest is the newest state-of-the-art objective measure of a possible sexual abuser’s sexual interest in children.  The Abel Assessment for sexual interest is a technologically advanced psychological test that gives you three kinds of sex specific information:

1. Objective Measure Graph – This measures 22 categories of sexual interest

     (paraphilias)

2. Self-Report Questionnaire -

• details 21 different sex behaviors
reveals cognitive distortions
• alerts evaluator to dangerousness

3. Probability Values – the likelihood that the responses of the person being

    tested fit into a child sexual abuser category.

Who Should Be Tested For Sexual Interest In Children?

• Teenagers concerned that they may have sexual interest in children
Boy victims of molestation (at least six months after the incident)
• Boys or girls; the older child in a sexual incident where the age difference is 3 years or more
• Any child or teenager accused of molesting a younger child
• Adults concerned they may have sexual interest in children
• Adults reporting child-centered sexual fantasies
• Exhibitionists, voyeurs and zoophiliacs
• Adults accused of sexual abuse of a child

The Abel can also be used as a “re-assessment” tool. It is important to reassess clients post treatment because in spite of the amount of treatment received, some clients maintain high sexual interest in children.

Clinical Polygraph Exams.  One of the unique services offered by Wedgwood is the clinical polygraph exam used in the treatment of sexual offenders. The application of a polygraph exam for clinical (treatment) purposes is a fairly new phenomenon. It was practiced in the late 1960's when two judges, who were frustrated by the high rates of recidivism, conceived the idea of administering polygraph exams to those who were on probation. They discovered that this was successful in apprehending those who re-offended and deterring others from committing additional acts. (Matte, 1998)

Over the years, the polygraph has become an extremely valuable tool in the treatment, assessment, and supervision of adult and juvenile sex offenders. It is now an "established and accepted practice in developing a community safety plan for the treatment and supervision of sex offenders..." (CONREP Policy and Procedure Manual , 2002) Simply put, it's the one tool many treatment providers won't do without!

Rationale for Polygraph use

There are many reasons why the polygraph has become such a popular aspect of treatment. Research has shown that polygraph examinations have the following treatment benefits when used with sex offenders:

• Reduces the cost of treatment by breaking through denial and accelerating the treatment process
• Aids in accurate assessment of risk
• Assists in treatment planning
• Breaks down secret keeping
• Increases a patient's accountability
• Enhances supervision
• Assists in ensuring public safety
• Monitors a patient's progress in treatment

Utilization of the Polygraph

There are three main types of exams used when treating sex offenders. Each exam has a different function and is important in the treatment process:

• Specific Issue Exam - Many offenders deny their deviant sexual behavior despite a no contest plea or a guilty verdict. This makes treatment very difficult. The specific issue exam is designed to break through this denial. It essentially asks, "Did you commit your offense?"
• Sexual History Exam - Most offenders minimize their past sexual experiences and try to present themselves in an overly positive manner. An accurate sexual history is key to an accurate assessment of risk. The sexual history exam basically asks, "Have you ever...?"
• Maintenance/Monitoring Exam - Often, offenders are not honest about their ongoing sexual behaviors. For the safety of the community it is vital that these individuals follow all the terms of their probation. The Maintenance exam provides supervision and accountability by asking, "Are you currently...?"

For more information about the programs and services listed above, please contact the Wedgwood Admissions Office at 616.942.2110.