MEGA ♪ Cross-Validation Findings on Sexually Abusive Females: Implications for Risk Assessment and Clinical Practice

Abstract

Discussed is a variety of gender differences, offering a clearer view as to how female sexually abusive youth differ from males. Reported are descriptive findings on a substantial sample (N = 1056 – males and females, ages 4–19, including youth with low intellectual functioning) participating in the cross-validation of MEGA ♪ , the largest studies to date on risk assessment tools for sexually abusive youth. Sample was stratified according to age and gender, resulting in normative data. Cross-validation findings demonstrated Risk Scale of MEGA ♪ had good predictive validity (i.e., AUC values =.71) [95 % CI = .62 to .80; p < .001] for ages 13 to 19, and .77 [95 % C.I. = .60 to .96; p = 0.016] for ages 4 to 12) (Miccio-Fonseca Journal of Family Violence 28:623–634, 2013). Findings affirmed sexually abusive females can be high risk, are typically less dangerous than males, re-offending less frequently. Female sexually abusive youth are distinctly different from males and therefore need a gender specific risk assessment tool.