How Evidence Should Inform Sex Offender Treatment Programs
Trainers: Karl Hanson, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Date & Location: November 20th, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm over Zoom
Cost:$30 for WATSA/OATSA members/$50 for non members
Summary: We know quite a bit about recidivism risk assessment based on hundreds (perhaps thousands) of sexual recidivism studies. To advance treatment practice, we similarly need hundreds of treatment outcome studies. Consistent with ATSA’s recent endorsement of a continuous evaluation framework, this talk will cover:
The need for research evidence
Provide an updated review on what we know and need to know
Explain how that should shape clinical practice
And provide direction on how treatment providers can contribute to the evidence base.
R. Karl Hanson, Ph.D., C.Psych., is one of the leading researchers in the field of risk assessment and treatment for individuals with a history of crime and violence. Originally trained as a clinical psychologist, he was a researcher and research manager in the area of corrections and crime policy for Public Safety Canada between 1991 and 2017. Dr. Hanson has published more than 200 articles, book chapters and government reports, including several highly influential reviews. He is the lead author of several widely used risk tools for sexual recidivism, including Static-99R, Static-2002R, STABLE-2007 and ACUTE-2007. He has received career contribution awards from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Public Safety Canada, the International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders, and the Criminal Justice Section of the Canadian Psychological Association. He was an advisor to the Paraphilias working group for DSM-5, and author of Prediction Statistics for Psychological Assessment, published in 2022 by the American Psychological Association. Based in Ottawa, Canada, he is currently President of the not-for-profit organization SAARNA (Society for the Advancement of Actuarial Risk Need Assessment) and adjunct faculty in the psychology department of Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada).
This training will earn you 1.5 hours of CEUs
WATSA is a Washington State DOH approved CE provider. CE Hours earned at this training count towards hours needed to renew your SOTP credential and/or your underlying health care license. We are not an approved provider for organizations such as the APA, NASW, AAFT or NBCC.
We know quite a bit about recidivism risk assessment based on hundreds (perhaps thousands) of sexual recidivism studies. To advance treatment practice, we similarly need hundreds of treatment outcome studies. Consistent with ATSA’s recent endorsement of a continuous evaluation framework, this talk will cover:
The need for research evidence
Provide an updated review on what we know and need to know
Explain how that should shape clinical practice
And provide direction on how treatment providers can contribute to the evidence base.
Cost:
$30 for WATSA/OATSA members
$50 for Non-members