The NOJOS rules outline several “levels” of treatment. These levels correspond with severity of offense, family situation, and other factors.
In order to categorize the child to a level , a test is administered. The test is called a “Sexual Behavioral Risk Assessment” (SBRA). A few days after the test is administered, your child will be assigned a “Risk Level”.
Each Risk level has corresponding treatment guidelines. However, in my experience, the actual treatment administered is totally up to the individual state-issued therapist who is “treating” your child, and they will likely totally disregard the NOJOS guidelines.
Below you will find a high-level of what category you can expect your child to be categorized to. Note that these categories are cumulative. If your child is categorized as NOJOS level 3, then they will need to do the Level 3 treatment, AND the Level 2 treatment, AND the Level 1 treatment.
Later posts will describe more detail for each category, and what kind of treatment or mistreatment you can expect. I don’t have much, if anything, to say about Level 3 and higher treatment, except this: NOJOS Level 1 and 2 children should not be treated the same as a more dysfunctional child would.
Level 1
These children:
- Engaged in less severe, isolated sexual activity with no signs of progression, OR
- Engaged in sexual activity where one of the participants is technically illegal. For example, a 16 year old relationship with a 14 year old (who is too young to consent to sexual activity under law)
Level 2
These children :
- Are “first time offenders”
- Have one or more victims
- Have done more severe offense than a Level 1 offender
- Low to moderate chance of reoffending
Level 3
These children:
- Have risky home environments
- Have “executive function” impairment – trouble with self control and flexible thinking
- Require in-home therapy
Level 4
These children:
- Have a risk that cannot be controlled in their current home situation
- Have parents that cannot care for their children.
- Cannot live at home for these or other reasons.
Level 5
These children:
- Have greater problems and deficits than a level 4 child
- There are a huge list of problems and pathologies that could be present, not listed here.
Level 6, 7, and 8
These children:
- Have many problems which go way beyond sexual pathology
- Have a very high chance of reoffending sexually, and probably reoffending in other arenas as well.
- Should not be in school with other students, they should be isolated and treated. They’re a danger to level 5 children and to their fellow humans in general.
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