Eco-maps: facilitating insight in learning-disabled sex offenders

The assessment of risk in relation to men who have learning disabilities and who sexually offend can be difficult as innovative means for eliciting information or presenting it to them require careful consideration. A risk assessment model has been designed which introduces an interactive tool called an 'eco-map' as a means of gathering important information from the offender as well as presenting the identified risks. The author explores the use and development of the eco-map from its crude beginnings to its use in practice. The tool enables offenders to rationalize and understand the often complicated concepts which contribute to their behaviour and allows them to be actively involved in the risk assessment process.