Exploring Heterogeneity Among Deniers: Does Denial Predict Sexual Offender Recidivism Among Distinct Groups of Deniers?

In the sexual offender literature, researchers have theorized numerous distinctions between groups of offenders who deny offence responsibility and varying reasons as to why they deny. However, few studies have empirically examined the heterogeneity of deniers or applicability of prior typologies. The purpose of the current study was to provide a more nuanced understanding of the heterogeneity of deniers through developing a profile of their risk using the Static-99R and VRAG-R. Results from a latent class analysis identified four distinct risk profiles, labeledModerately Sexually Deviant(22.5%),Generally Antisocial(13.1%),Diverse Risk(27.6%), andGenerally Low-Risk(36.7%). The risk profiles were then compared using pseudo-class draws methods, revealing differences in Attachment to convention and rates of sexual and violent (including sexual) recidivism. Similarities and distinctions between denier subgroups and prior theorized models of denial are discussed.