The Abel Assessment for Sexual Interest (AASI) is a test which measures problematic, abusive or atypical sexual interest in a subject. It can be used to complete an objective measure of a person’s sexual interest in various potential sexual partners, including both adolescent and adult males and females.
The Abel assessment test was created by American psychiatrist and professor, Doctor Gene Abel in 1995 after he spent years researching the qualities of sexual predators and offenders.
The assessment came at a time when sexual crimes were becoming increasingly prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s. As a result of this, Dr Abel felt that it was becoming apparent that there was a need for a proper assessment and treatment for individuals with criminal sexual interest.
How does the test work?
There are four separate versions of the test for adult and adolescent males and females. In the AASI, the client views slides depicting those gender and age categories. Outside the clients’ awareness, their viewing time of each slide is being measured. The reason for this is because the reliability and validity of viewing time or Visual Reaction Time (VRT), has been established as a reasonably accurate measure of the client’s sexual interests.
In addition to viewing pictures, participants taking the Abel psychological test complete a questionnaire which includes more than 600 different items. The questionnaire surveys interest or behaviors concerning normative sexual behavior, deviant but legal behavior and criminal sexual acts. It also measures whether or not the client is attempting to present themselves in an overly positive manner. The test results include a classification as to how similar the client is in comparison to a reference group of ‘guilty deniers.’
Each report includes a number of objective and self-report measures including:
Objective measures
- Sexual interest in children
- Sexual recidivism risk (the likelihood of committing a similar crime again)
- Cognitive distortion score
- Social desirability score
- Emerick sexual victimization trauma scales
- Client’s probability of past child sexual abuse acts
Self-report measures
- Internet child pornography and internet child sexual contact
- Danger to children registry
- Detailed summary of admitted sexual behaviors
- Sexual health concerns
- History as a victim of sexual abuse
- Sexual behaviors ratings
- Sexual fantasies ratings
- Accusations, arrests and convictions
- Arousal to children and adults
- Alcohol and drug module
Why is the Abel Assessment carried out?
The Abel psychological test has been specifically designed to measure a person’s sexual interest and to obtain information regarding their potential involvement in abusive or problematic sexual behaviors.
The test is widely used in criminal matters and children and family court cases where there have been allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct. Although no test can factually establish whether or not someone did or did not commit an act, the test can identify a person’s patterns of sexual interest. This information can then be presented to a jury when weighing up evidence in a case.
The AASI can also provide clinicians with the tools they need to enhance their psychological assessments. For example, it can be a valuable tool when it comes to planning treatments and evaluating a client’s progress throughout the treatment process.
We are the only practice in Toronto that is trained and licensed to administer and interpret the Abel Assessment.
If you would like more information about the Abel Assessment or require details about sex addiction counselling in Toronto, please feel free to contact us in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help.
