Preventing Sexual Abuse by Integrating Research into Practice

SOTIPS

Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS)

The SOTIPS is a dynamic risk instrument used to assess risk, treatment and supervision needs, and progress among adult males convicted of sexual offending. It comprises 16 dynamic risk factors scored at intake and after that every six months on a 4-point scale ranging from minimal to no need for improvement to a very considerable need for improvement. The SOTIPS is designed for use by trained mental health professionals and probation and parole officers. The SOTIPS should be combined with a static risk measure such as VASOR-2 or Static-99R. The SOTIPS Manual is available for use at no cost.

Training Options

1. On-demand 

Coming soon! On-demand user training with Bob McGrath and Mike Lasher in early 2025. For more information, click SOTIPS.

2. In-person and Live Webinar  

This one-day workshop focuses on using case studies to learn how to score and use the SOTIPS. The SOTIPS is a 16-item, provider-administered dynamic measure designed to aid clinicians and probation and parole officers in assessing risk, treatment needs, supervision needs, and progress among adult male sex offenders. The theory and research support for the scale will also be reviewed. The workshop will include using the scale with a static risk measure such as the Static-99R or VASOR-2. 

3. Train the Trainer   

This two-day workshop is for up to 12 trainees who have completed authorized SOTIPS training and at least 10 SOTIPS assessments on individuals who have committed a sexual offense. Trainees review SOTIPS scoring criteria, the SOTIPS Trainer Manual, training tips, and frequently asked questions on day one. Also, trainees conduct a mock SOTIPS training on day one and receive feedback from one of the SOTIPS co-developers. On day two, trainees deliver a one-day SOTIPS training to agency staff. Based upon training competency, trainees will be authorized to train staff at their agency. 

Manual

McGrath, R. J., Cumming, G. F., & Lasher, M. P. (2013). Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) Manual. Middlebury, VT: Author. Download SOTIPS Manual.

Coding Sheet

Download the SOTIPS Coding Sheet.

Selected SOTIPS Training Sponsors

  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Probation and Pretrial Services
  • Alaska Department of Corrections
  • Arkansas Department of Corrections
  • Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
  • California Eastern District, U.S. Probation
  • Cameron and Willacy County Texas Community Supervision and Corrections Department
  • Center for the Treatment of Problem Sexual Behavior
  • Colorado Department of Corrections
  • Colorado Division of Probation Services and Colorado Division of Parole
  • Connecticut Department of Corrections and Court Services 
  • DuPage County Illinois Probation and Court Services
  • Global Institute for Forensic Research 
  • Iowa Department of Correctional Services
  • Kentucky Federal Probation
  • Maine Department of Corrections
  • Maricopa County Arizona Probation Department
  • Massachusetts Office of Mental Health 
  • Massachusetts Probation Service
  • Missouri Mental Health Center and Missouri Sex Offender Civil Commitment Program
  • Missouri Probation and Parole Department
  • Montana Department of Corrections
  • Montana Federal Probation and Pretrial Services
  • Nebraska Probation Programs
  • New Hampshire Department of Corrections
  • New York City Probation Department
  • Swedish Prison and Probation Service
  • Utah Department of Corrections, Probation, and Parole
  • Vermont Department of Corrections
  • Vermont Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
  • Wisconsin Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers

Research Reports

Listed from earliest to most recent:

McGrath, R. J., Lasher, M. P., & Cumming, G. F. (2011). A model of static and dynamic sex offender risk assessment (Document No. 236217). Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice. Download Report.

McGrath, R. J., Lasher, M. P., & Cumming, G. F. (2012). The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS): Psychometric properties and incremental validity with the Static-99R. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 24, 431-458. Download Paper.

Lasher, M. P., McGrath, R. J., Cumming G. F., & Wilson, D. (2015). Collaborative treatment planning using the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS): Concordance of therapist evaluation and client self-evaluation. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 14, 1-9. Download Paper.

Lasher, M. P., & McGrath, R. J. (2017). Desistance from sexual and other violent offending among child sexual abusers: Observations using the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS). Criminal Justice and Behavior. 44, 416-431. Download Paper.

Stinson, J. D., Becker, J. V., & McVay, L. A. (2017). Treatment progress and behavior change following two years of inpatient treatment: A pilot investigation of safe offender strategies. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 29, 3-27. Download Abstract.

Miner, M.H., Robinson, B. E., Newstrom, N., & Strobel-Ayres, C. (2018). Evaluation of the implementation of the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS). (Document 251747). Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice. Download Report.

Hanson, R. K., et al., (2021). Does reassessment improve prediction? A prospective study of the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS). International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 65, 1775-1803.

Wielinga, F. E. (2022). Use of dynamic risk instruments to assess sexual violence risk in a community-supervised sample of men with sexual offense convictions (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Miner, M. H., et al., (2023). Reliability and factor structure of the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale. Sexual Abuse, 35, 83-102.

Elliott, I., & Hambly, O. (2023). Horizon and iHorizon: Psychometric analyses of the Success Wheel Measure. Ministry of Justice, London, England.

Wielinga, F. E., & Olver, M. E. (2024). Validity and reliability of the Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offense version in a community sexual offense outpatient setting. Psychological Assessment, 36 (6-7), 407–424.