SVP – Sexually Violent Predator

What is a Sexually Violent Predator?

A “Sexually Violent Predator” is defined in California Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 6600 et seq. as a person who:

(A) has been convicted of a sexually violent offense against one or more victim(s); and
(B) has a diagnosed mental disorder that makes the person a danger to the health and safety of others; and
(C) it is likely that he or she will engage in sexually violent criminal behavior.

The term “sexually violent offense” includes a variety of sex crimes which typically involve force, violence, duress, menace or threats of immediate bodily injury or threats of future retaliation against a person. Pedophilia, whether or not it involves force or violence, is also included.

Not all sex offenders, or all of those required to register as a sex offender, are classified as sexually violent predators. In fact, the vast majority are not. Only a very small percentage of the sex offender population qualify as SVPs.

As California’s “High Risk Sex Offender and Sexually Violent Predator Task Force” explains: “Although major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or organic brain syndrome qualify as mental disorders, most SVPs primarily suffer from some type of paraphilia. Paraphilic disorders are diagnosable conditions characterized by deviant sexual urges, fantasies or behaviors involving humiliation of others, sexual activity with children and/or sexual activity with other non-consenting persons, and they occur over a period of at least six months. These deviant sexual urges, fantasies or behaviors are sufficiently intense to cause significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.”

Persons who are deemed by a court or jury to be sexually violent predators under the law are confined at Coalinga State Hospital, where they receive treatment for their disorders until it is determined that they no longer pose a risk of re-offense.

Click here for FAQs on SVP Conditional Release in Sacramento County.