The RMA is pleased to announce the publication of the literature review of the risk posed by internet offenders.

This publication was conducted in response to a recommendation from the Joint Thematic Review of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Scotland. (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland 2015).

“Scottish Government in partnership with the Risk Management Authority and Responsible Authorities should provide additional guidance to enable staff to better assess the risk posed by internet offenders.”

Key Themes

The review considered six key themes in publications from 1990 to March 2018:
1) Typologies and sub-groups of internet offenders
2) Characteristics and profiles of internet offenders
3) Differences between internet only offenders and contact offenders
4) Offending and re-offending trajectories of internet offenders
5) Risks/needs of internet offenders
6) Risk assessment tools used to assess the risk posed by internet offenders

We would like to thank the members of the MAPPA Strategy and Development Groups for their support in taking the review forward and Dr Ethel Quayle for her review of earlier drafts.

The RMA hope that this publication is a helpful resource for staff involved in the assessment of those convicted of internet offences. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government, Criminal Justice Social Work, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service to further develop the practice models used in Scotland.

Find out more