VIRTUAL AGENDA - ATSA 2026: 45th Annual Research & Treatment Conference

There is an interconnection between ADHD and sexual behaviors. This session is geared towards exploring interventions that can improve sexual health for neurodivergent individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Strategies to address common ADHD struggles such as the need for reminders, executive functioning deficits, distractibility, time blindness and online preoccupation will be discussed with an aim to improve treatment engagement. In addition, specific interventions focused on addressing sexual concerns frequently observed within neurodivergent populations, for example, sexual impulsivity, risky sex, hypersexuality and sensory concerns will be explored. Specific attention will be aimed at discussing the application of these themes within the context of a treatment program for individuals who have committed a sexual offense.

This presentation will discuss the needs of both juvenile and adults involved in the criminal justice system. Let’s improve our interventions specific to neurodivergent clients.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

Static–99R is an actuarial tool that combines readily available information to assess sexual recidivism risk among adult males with a history of sexual crime. It has moderate accuracy in ranking individuals according to their relative risk for sexual recidivism and is widely accepted by the scientific community and applied professionals.

Participants will engage in a dynamic and highly interactive environment that utilizes game elements, pre-training videos, and case-based learning designed to replicate applied practice. The intended audience is anyone interested in assessing sexual offending risk among adult males.

Youth exhibiting Harmful Sexual Behaviors (HSBs) who present for treatment also often present with experience/s and/or ‘backgrounds’ of developmental trauma. These may result in difficulties connecting with and engaging in relationally based treatment. Many youth engaging in HSBs report significant pornography (Sexually Explicit Material: SEM) consumption – including ‘learning about’ and ‘forming beliefs about’ sex and relationships based on their exposure to pornography. Often, pornography exposure/use adds complexity to treatment, resulting in the therapist assessing the impacts of three interacting concern areas requiring understanding and attention when assessing and treating HSBs. Whilst many involved treatment providers and associated professionals might be aware of some of the factors and issues ‘in-play’ during HSB treatment of youth and family members, it might be the case that a clinician is either overwhelmed, or ‘under-informed’ across the multiple domains noted above.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

The unheard voice of abuse will echo until it is declared, generation after generation. Our clients have taught us that when systems plan in short time horizons, the impact does not simply fade; it migrates. It can emerge later as unresolved trauma, fractured identity, disrupted attachment, stalled development, and critically, the intergenerational transmission of harming behaviours that are longing to be interrupted. Families are our most common human ecosystem. When sibling sexual abuse occurs, families often remain connected across decades - whether systems plan for that reality or not.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

Biases and labels can significantly affect youth, especially those suffering from mental health issues or displaying challenging and or risky behaviors. The use of certain words and labels often lead to stigmatization, which can worsen vulnerabilities and hinder the development of essential skills. Research shows that labeling can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where youth internalize negative perceptions, ultimately affecting their self-esteem and mental health (Smith et al., 2023; Szanto et al., 2012). For example, Russell et al. (2009) discuss how labels related to sexual orientation can marginalize youth, resulting in feelings of isolation and reduced empowerment (Smith et al., 2023). This presentation will examine the negative consequences of language, biases and labeling, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and creating awareness of individual needs and vulnerabilities to support resiliency and agency among youth.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

With the explosion of online content creators, society has seen an increase in male influencers who purportedly focus on issues chiefly affecting male adolescents and adults. This realm of online personalities dedicated to male issues is colloquially referred to as the manosphere. On initial glance, such a focus seems beneficial given that many argue men are facing a crisis in the U.S. and abroad. However, some of these influencers trafficking in this material are perpetuating harmful stereotypes about men and women, with devastating consequences. For instance, some of the misogynistic views endorsed online have been cited as motivation in mass attacks. The presentation, Navigating the Darker Elements of the Manosphere and Being a Good Dude, introduces the audience to select personalities trading in harmful male content. Additionally, attendees will learn about the manosphere’s history and what may be driving young men to consume such content. Lastly, participants will be introduced to material that frames masculinity in a healthy way, fostering principles such as accountability, emotional expression, and healthy attitudes toward the sexes. Attendees will leave the presentation with practical steps they can immediately implement in their practice.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

This powerful plenary session begins with a screening of MOORE’s Survivor Film Series, a collection of three short films (8–12 minutes each) featuring survivors of child sexual abuse sharing their personal experiences, perspectives, and urgent calls for prevention and action. These stories center survivor voices while challenging audiences to move beyond awareness toward meaningful change.

Following the screening, the session transitions into an intimate fireside-chat conversation moderated by survivor advocate Ms. Trinea Gonczar, a former gymnast from Lansing, Michigan, whose victim impact statement helped secure the criminal convictions of Larry Nassar. Featured in HBO’s Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal, Ms. Gonczar also appears in the third film of the series and brings both lived experience and powerful advocacy to this discussion.

Ms. Gonczar will interview Dr. Elizabeth Letourneau and Mr. Luke Malone about their forthcoming book, One in Five: Why Child Sexual Abuse Is Our Biggest Public Health Crisis and What We Can Do to Stop It. Dr. Letourneau is an internationally recognized leader in child sexual abuse prevention whose work has shaped the development and dissemination of evidence-based prevention strategies. Mr. Malone is an award-winning producer and journalist whose interviews with key voices in the movement to prevent child sexual abuse bring depth and clarity to the societal impact of abuse.

Together, they will explore why child sexual abuse remains one of the most urgent and preventable public health crises of our time—and how we can act now using proven prevention strategies already available. This session offers both a deeply human perspective and a practical roadmap for moving from one in five to zero.

Psychopathy remains one of the most influential—and controversial—constructs in forensic psychology and criminal justice. In this 90-minute virtual dialogue, Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen and Martin Rettenberger will critically examine the scientific foundations, clinical utility, and ethical implications of modern psychopathy research and practice.

Drawing from his 2025 book Psychopathy Unmasked: The Rise and Fall of a Dangerous Diagnosis, Larsen will challenge longstanding assumptions about psychopathy, including claims regarding empathy deficits, dangerousness, treatment resistance, and the use of psychopathy assessments in legal decision-making. Rettenberger will provide a complementary perspective, highlighting the historical development of the construct, its contributions to violence risk assessment and treatment planning, and the importance of continued scientific refinement rather than abandonment of the concept.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

Emerging adults (ages 18–25) with ADHD and Autism who present with problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) often demonstrate responsivity needs that are insufficiently addressed in standard offense‑specific treatment. Development during this period involves ongoing executive functioning maturation and decision‑making processes that influence self‑regulation and engagement (Arnett, 2000; Steinberg, 2008; Casey et al., 2008). Individuals with ASD or ADHD also show differences in psychosexual functioning and related social cognition that can contribute to risky sexual behaviors and vulnerability, highlighting the need for tailored intervention approaches (Young & Cocallis, 2023; Exploring neurodivergent sexuality, 2024). Despite increasing research interest, intervention evidence for these populations — especially adults with ASD in forensic contexts — remains limited, underscoring the importance of clinical adaptation and responsivity‑focused practice (Salter & Blainey, 2024; Margari et al., 2024; Bonagura & Jeglic, 2023; Trew & Russell, 2024).

This workshop provides a practice‑demonstration of a structured, 9‑month, weekly 90‑minute group designed for emerging adults, some of whom have been charged with sexual offenses and who present with ADHD and/or Autism. The intervention integrates the Risk‑Need‑Responsivity (RNR) model, the Good Lives Model (GLM), and the Protective + Risk Observations For Eliminating Sexual Offense Recidivism (PROFESOR) framework. RNR guides risk matching and criminogenic need targeting, GLM supports strengths‑based motivation and prosocial goals, and PROFESOR offers a structured method to identify and balance risk and protective characteristics to inform intervention planning (PROFESOR clinical tool).

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL SESSION INFORMATION

Better understanding how sexual interests are assessed in forensic contexts has important implications assessing risk to commit child sexual offending, particularly within an ever-changing online landscape. I will provide an update and overview of recent and ongoing research examining the role of sexual interest in children in the risk assessment and management of men who have committed child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) offenses.

There has been recent clinical and legal attention paid to the apparent disproportionate number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identified in child sexual exploitation/abuse material cases (Allely & Dubin, 2019). Neurodevelopmental factors are thought to play a role in shaping patterns of sexual interests; however, the relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are less understood. This presentation examines associations between ASD and ADHD traits, hypersexuality, and paraphilic interests in a combined student and community sample.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

This workshop will provide an overview of clinical risk assessment of harmful sexual behaviors engaged in by youth. The presentation will include discussion of the importance of using a theoretical framework to guide the evaluation process, highlighting procedures of data collection, conducting assessment interviews, putting the pieces together, case formulation, and recommendations for treatment planning. The remainder of the workshop will demonstrate the synthesis of assessment data into actionable, high impact, needs specific, and individualized treatment goals. This workshop will have an interactive, activities-based component to highlight the objectives where attendees can brainstorm ideas and learn from each other.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT

Persons with special needs and problems in sexual behavior require accommodation at all levels of intervention – assessment, treatment, and risk management. However, in spite of that truth, many programs and practitioners struggle to identify appropriate ways to work with individuals with IDD, ASD, FASD, acquired brain injury, and other potential contributors to low intellectual ability. In this session, we will identify the populations in need of a more nuanced approach and outline a multi-component approach to risk identification and RNR-based programming. Features of applied behavioral analysis will be discussed as we strive for a model that promotes healthy sexuality over simple risk management.

Sexual abuse is something that parents hope will never happen to their child. The devastating discovery that their child has been harmed is made even worse by the discovery that the person responsible for the harm is an older sibling. This can cause significant stress on the relationship between the parents and their relationships with their children. Parents can be flooded with a myriad of emotions that make it difficult to know how to support both of their children. This session will explore how professionals can support parents/caregivers who are actively caring for an older child or adolescent who has engaged in the sexual harm of a younger sibling and to navigate challenging parenting situations.

Through exploration of case studies, participants will be better able to recognize the impact sibling harmful sexual behaviour can have on parents/caregivers and family relationships. Literature-informed recommendations will be discussed for how parents/caregivers can promote skills in emotional and behavioural self-regulation within the family; respond to normative and non-normative sexual behaviour in children and adolescents; understand how the assessment of risk and protective factors can aid safety planning in the home and community; and balance this with the need for building on the strengths, talents, and healthy interests of both the children. In addition, participants will explore the importance of helping the family establish a network of support, navigate and collaborate with involved professional resources, demystify the process of therapy, identify therapeutic goals for each member of the family, differentiate between clarification sessions and reunification processes, and identify ways to enhance competencies within the parent/child relationship, the family, and within the community at large.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

Digital culture is rapidly reshaping how young men and boys understand masculinity, relationships, and belonging. From algorithm-driven social media feeds to emerging tools such as AI companion apps, “AI wingmen,” and generative image platforms, technology is not only reflecting existing norms—it is actively reinforcing, accelerating, and in some cases distorting them. These systems can normalize entitlement, reduce accountability, and create new pathways for coercive or harmful behavior, particularly when combined with online ecosystems that reward dominance, risk-taking, and emotional detachment.

This plenary session examines the intersection of masculinity, technology, and sexual harm prevention through a trauma-informed, harm-reduction lens. Drawing on current research, real-world examples, and frontline training experience, the presentation will explore how AI-mediated interactions shape relational development, influence sexual scripts, and impact empathy, consent, and accountability. Special attention will be given to how emerging technologies can both amplify risk and create opportunities for intervention.

Participants will gain practical, evidence-informed strategies for engaging men and boys without shame or disengagement, challenging harmful narratives while preserving dignity, and fostering healthier models of masculinity in digital spaces. The session will equip professionals with tools to navigate resistance, build rapport, and support behavior change in a rapidly evolving technological landscape—positioning men and boys as essential partners in the prevention of sexual harm.

Professionals across health, education, justice, and social services are increasingly encountering individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who present with harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)—a clinical and ethical challenge that remains under examined in research and practice. FASD refers to a spectrum of disorders resulting damage due to prenatal alcohol exposure. Previous research has shown that individuals with FASD are more likely to be overrepresented in the criminal justice system (CJS) compared to those without FASD. CJS encounters can involve a range of HSB, as well as sexual offences. The intersection of neurodevelopmental disability, trauma, and environmental vulnerability contribute to elevated risk for boundary violations, sexualized behaviours, and exploitation among individuals with FASD. Drawing on emerging evidence, case-based insights, and cross-sector practice wisdom, the session will illuminate how impairments in executive functioning, impulse control, social cognition, and adaptive reasoning shape sexual decision-making and vulnerability. The presentation will highlight a systematic review carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines to identify primary studies, case studies, or case law reviews that have explored FASD in relation to HSB and/or sexual offending.

This presentation will provide an overview of the foundations for assessing adolescents who have sexually offended. Specific topics to be addressed include the ATSA (2017) Practice Guidelines, the critical role of the assessment, limitations of current risk-prediction measures, the important role of protective factors, and physiological (i.e., polygraph, ppg, viewing time) assessment tools. The workshop will also include a particular focus on interview tips and strategies for helping clients talk about difficult issues.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ABSTRACT INFORMATION

The Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services’ Program Research and Development Unit (PRDU), is leading Phase 3 of the Virtual Global Taskforce Health and Wellness international study. Informed by the research findings and suggestions for subsequent research established in Phases 1 & 2, Phase 3 focused on assessing the implementation of recommended promising practices based on impact and applicability. For this, an online survey was sent to all current and past employees working in online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) units around the world to gain a better understanding of stressors, mitigation strategies and areas in need of additional research. The results from this survey will be presented, including an evaluation of recommended practices for OCSE units to support the health and wellness of their police personnel. The presentation will focus on the most up to date trends and mitigation strategies to enhance the health and wellness for OCSE police personnel, but takeaways will also be applicable to child protection personnel more broadly.

Psychopathy is a personality disorder that has been described and cataloged by clinicians and researchers for more than 200 years. Psychopathy is recognized as a clinical construct with important treatment and management challenges in forensic systems. We will review the contemporary assessment of psychopathy, recent research on the predictive value of psychopathy in forensic practice and the implications for treatment of individuals with the condition. We will also review results from recent brain imaging studies, highlighting how this work may translate into novel treatment applications. Controversies and academic debates in the field will also be discussed.