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Adolescent Sexual Offenders
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Abstract
Sexual aggression is a serious and widespread problem in our society. Over the past 15 years considerable effort has been directed toward educating society about the problem and addressing the needs of victims of sexual crimes. Research efforts have focused on both adult and child victims and to a lesser extent on adult sexual offenders. Only recently have any research efforts focused on adolescent offenders. The present study describes the characteristics of 67 male adolescents referred to an outpatient clinic because of deviant sexual behavior. The results of this study indicate that the onset of sexually deviant interests is often in early adolescence and that an effective early treatment could reduce the widespread incidence of sexual crimes and prevent future victimization in our society.
... Along with the studies focusing on the personality features of the YAFSO, several earlier studies focused on the distinct characteristics of the offenses they committed and the individuals they targeted. In one of the early efforts with that orientation, for instance, Becker et al. (1986) examined a group of youth referred to a clinic due to a sex offense. They classified the participants as "pedophiles" if they mostly acted upon younger victims and as "rapists" if the victims were about the same age as or older than the perpetrators. ...
... They classified the participants as "pedophiles" if they mostly acted upon younger victims and as "rapists" if the victims were about the same age as or older than the perpetrators. Becker et al. (1986) also examined the nature of the offenses in their study. Accordingly, they identified subgroups of YAFSO committing "consensual incests" (see also O'Brien [1991] for a particular classification of youth targeting siblings), "mooning," "voyeurism," and "frottage." ...
This study intended to explore possible variations among youth adjudicated for sexual offenses based on personal criminogenic factors, offense, and victim characteristics. Utilizing a data set collected from the juvenile court files in Turkey ( n = 460), the Latent Class Analysis revealed that the study sample included three different subgroups with distinct features: “non-delinquent, peer victim-targeting,” “non-delinquent, younger victim-targeting,” and “delinquent, versatile” youth adjudicated for sex offenses. The first two of these groups were similar in terms of having low levels of delinquency, while the third group included the lowest number of youth with significantly broad delinquent activity patterns. These findings were in line with the results of previous studies, and the implications were discussed for future research and policy development.
... Second, studies show that juveniles who commit sexual violence are likely to be versatile in their offending career. That is, not only do those who commit sexual violence tend to begin their offending early (Piquero et al., 2012) they also are likely to engage in non-sexual offenses (Becker, Cunningham-Rathner, & Kaplan, 1986;Finkelhor et al., 2009;Hagan, Gust-Brey, Cho, & Dow, 2001;McCann & Lussier, 2008;Piquero et al., 2012). Third, studies show that juvenile sexual offending can have severe physical and psychological impact on victims (Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Tharp, Valle, Brookmayer, Massetti, & Matjasko, 2012). ...
... Furthermore, it helps to capture events and experiences prior to juveniles being sent to young offender institutions. Whilst it may be argued that some of what is considered sexual offending by juveniles may be innocent sex play or experimentation by sexually maturing adolescents (see Becker et al., 1986;Moore, Awusabo-Asare, Madise, John-Langba, & Kumi-Kyereme, 2007), the focus in this study is on serious sexual offenses which, if detected, could lead to arrest and conviction of the juveniles. ...
Background
Sexual violence research in Africa is overwhelmingly focused on victims with little attention given to perpetrators. In the case of juveniles who perpetrate sexual violence the evidence is mainly from studies in Western industrialized societies. The consequence is that interventions for juveniles who commit sexual violence in Ghana and Africa lack evidential basis.
Objectives
This study investigates prevalence, correlates and risk factors for juvenile sexual offending.
Participants and setting
The study utilised a sample of 264 male juveniles aged 12•18 in schools and young offender institutions in southern Ghana.
Method
Prevalence of the juvenile sexual offending was estimated based on self-report. Odds ratio (OR) was used to calculate the risk for the juveniles engaging in sexual violence. The predictive significance of variables within various domains was estimated using logistic regression models.
Results
Results show that about a fifth (16.7 %) of the juveniles have committed a sexual offense. A deviant sexual tendency such as paying for sex constitutes an important risk marker for juvenile sexual offending (OR: 6.41, 95 % CI [3.28•12.54]). Risk factors for juvenile sexual offending are concentrated in the family domain with parental neglect (OR: 4.55, 95 % CI [2.46•9.44]), parental conflict (OR: 4.45, 95 % CI [2.35•8.44]) alcoholic parents (OR: 3.07, 95 % CI [1.66•5.69] parental abuse (OR: 2.90, 95 % CI [1.63•5.19]), and deprived family economic condition (OR: 2.64, 95 % CI [1.47•4.75]) emerging as statistically significant factors.
Conclusion
Prevalence estimates of juvenile sexual offending are influenced by types and number of questions with multiple questions eliciting more accurate estimates than a single item measure. Risk factors for juvenile sexual offending vary based on context. Interventions to reduce juvenile sexual violence must be informed by evidence from the social context.
... Second, studies show that juveniles who commit sexual violence are likely to be versatile in their oending career. That is, not only do those who commit sexual violence tend to begin their oending early ( Piquero et al., 2012) they also are likely to engage in non-sexual oenses (Becker, Cunningham-Rathner, & Kaplan, 1986;Finkelhor et al., 2009;Hagan, Gust-Brey, Cho, & Dow, 2001;McCann & Lussier, 2008;Piquero et al., 2012). Third, studies show that juvenile sexual oending can have severe physical and psychological impact on victims (Abel, Becker, & Cunningham-Rathner, 1984;Tharp, Valle, Brookmayer, Massetti, & Matjasko, 2012). ...
... Furthermore, it helps to capture events and experiences prior to juveniles being sent to young oender institutions. Whilst it may be argued that some of what is considered sexual oending by juveniles may be innocent sex play or experimentation by sexually maturing adolescents (see Becker et al., 1986;Moore, Awusabo-Asare, Madise, John-Langba, & Kumi- Kyereme, 2007), the focus in this study is on serious sexual oenses which, if detected, could lead to arrest and conviction of the juveniles. ...
Background: Sexual violence research in Africa is overwhelmingly focused on victims with little attention given to perpetrators. In the case of juveniles who perpetrate sexual violence the evi- dence is mainly from studies in Western industrialized societies. The consequence is that inter- ventions for juveniles who commit sexual violence in Ghana and Africa lack evidential basis. Objectives: This study investigates prevalence, correlates and risk factors for juvenile sexual of- fending.
Participants and setting: The study utilised a sample of 264 male juveniles aged 12–18 in schools and young o!ender institutions in southern Ghana.
Method: Prevalence of the juvenile sexual o!ending was estimated based on self-report. Odds ratio (OR) was used to calculate the risk for the juveniles engaging in sexual violence. The predictive signi"cance of variables within various domains was estimated using logistic regres- sion models.
Results: Results show that about a "fth (16.7 %) of the juveniles have committed a sexual o!ense. A deviant sexual tendency such as paying for sex constitutes an important risk marker for juvenile sexual o!ending (OR: 6.41, 95 % CI [3.28–12.54]). Risk factors for juvenile sexual o!ending are concentrated in the family domain with parental neglect (OR: 4.55, 95 % CI [2.46–9.44]), par- ental con#ict (OR: 4.45, 95 % CI [2.35–8.44]) alcoholic parents (OR: 3.07, 95 % CI [1.66–5.69] parental abuse (OR: 2.90, 95 % CI [1.63–5.19]), and deprived family economic condition (OR: 2.64, 95 % CI [1.47–4.75]) emerging as statistically signi"cant factors.
Conclusion: Prevalence estimates of juvenile sexual o!ending are in#uenced by types and number of questions with multiple questions eliciting more accurate estimates than a single item measure. Risk factors for juvenile sexual o!ending vary based on context. Interventions to reduce juvenile sexual violence must be informed by evidence from the social context.
... In a separate study, it was observed that survivors of CSA from urban areas reported a higher frequency of CSA incidents compared to those from townships or rural regions (Feng et al., 2010). In addition, research has suggested that the likelihood of becoming an offender is higher in city areas (Becker et al., 1986). Our research found that individuals residing in rural areas exhibited a higher prevalence of engaging in offensive behavior as compared to those residing in cities. ...
There are substantial mental health consequences for male child sexual abuse (MCSA) victims. Survivors may exhibit sexually offensive actions because of this trauma. In other words, the abused becomes an abuser. In Bangladesh, MCSA is an invisible social problem. This study aimed to assess sexually offensive behaviors among victims of MCSA and to determine the associated factors. A total of 540 victims participated in an online survey as part of a cross-sectional study. Data were collected on victimization, suicidal ideation, history of offense, and sociodemographic factors. Pearson chi-square test and a binary logistic regression were employed to assess significant factors. Results revealed that 63.2% of participants reported engaging in sexually offensive behavior. Those living in villages, unmarried, experienced repetitive sexual abuse, under 13 years old at the time of abuse, experienced physical abuse concurrently, being penetrated during abuse, not disclosing the abuse, not receiving psychological assistance, having significant sexual involvement with men, and experiencing suicidal ideation were more likely to exhibit sexually offensive behaviors. The study underscores the importance of policymakers implementing relevant policies to safeguard boys. In addition, it emphasizes the need for victims to disclose instances of sexual abuse and actively seek psychological intervention.
... In this respect, the age difference between the offenders and their victims (e.g., JSOs targeting younger children compared to peers or adults) was a focal point for a sizeable number of earlier studies (for a review of more than 20 earlier studies, see the findings from Fanniff & Kolko, 2012;Gunby & Woodhams, 2010;Hunter et al., 2003;Ford & Linney, 1995;Kemper & Kistner, 2010) in identifying the subtypes of these youths. Moving from the age difference between the JSOs and their victims, Becker et al. (1986) generalized the acts of JSOs as pedophiles if they targeted younger victims and as rapists if they targeted peers or older victims. They also included other types of youths who display sexually offensive behavior based on the nature of their acts, such as incest (for a particular focus on JSOs targeting siblings, see O'Brien, 1991), mooners, voyeurs, and frotteurs. ...
... Muchos otros estudios han mostrado igualmente que la prevalencia del maltrato físico suele ser elevada en poblaciones de adolescentes ofensores sexuales (comparados con otros jóvenes), violadores adultos y abusadores de niños (Bard et al., 1987;Becker, Cunningham-Rathner & Kaplan, 1986;Kemper & Kistner, 2010;Naidoo & Sewpaul, 2014;Ryan et al. 1996;Seghorn, Prentky & Boucher, 1987;Watkins & Bentovim, 1992), y varios autores han identificado diferencias importantes o relaciones estadísticas significativas al analizar esta variable en trabajos que incluían a jóvenes no ofensores sexuales como grupo de comparación (Borowsky, Hogan & Ireland, 1997;Fagan & Wexler, 1988;Ford & Linney, 1995;Johnson & Knight, 2000;Wanklyn et al., 2012;Widom & Ames, 1994). Así, por ejemplo, en el trabajo de Burton (2000) se encontró que los jóvenes ofensores sexuales que más reportaban haber experimentado violencia física o emocional tenían también un riesgo más alto de ser ofensores crónicos o "continuos". ...
Los delitos sexuales constituyen en el Perú una importante causa de sanción e internamiento de menores en Centros Juveniles de Diagnóstico y Rehabilitación (CJDR). Con el fin de mejorar la comprensión de esta problemática, se realizó un estudio de casos y controles para identificar los factores de riesgo asociados con delitos sexuales en jóvenes varones de CJDR. Se aplicó un cuestionario ad hoc a 300 jóvenes internos en los CJDR de Lima (250) y Cusco (50), de entre quienes 111 constituyeron los casos y 189 los controles. El análisis se efectuó aplicando técnicas de estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Los factores de riesgo se determinaron mediante el cálculo de la razón de momios (OR) con un intervalo de confianza al 95%; se ajustó modelos de regresión logística, considerándose las variables con coeficientes significativos (p<0.05); y finalmente se obtuvo la tabla de clasificación de cada modelo. En el análisis descriptivo se identificó, en primer lugar, una importante diferenciación interna en el grupo de jóvenes internos por delitos sexuales, definida por la presencia o ausencia de antecedentes delictivos: quienes no reportaron tener problemas legales previos (66 casos) mostraron un perfil en muchos aspectos similar al de otros jóvenes de la población general; y en marcado contraste, quienes declararon tener antecedentes delictivos (45 casos) presentaron un extenso rango de complicaciones y singularidades en sus características individuales, psicológicas, familiares, sociales, sexuales y de sus contextos de vida más amplios. Considerando esta diferencia, se procedió con el análisis estadístico de los factores de riesgo no solo en función del eje delitos sexuales/otros delitos, sino realizando pruebas adicionales para cada uno de los dos segmentos identificados en el grupo de casos. En un primer modelo logístico, para delitos sexuales vs. otros delitos, aparecieron como factores de riesgo: tener fantasías sexuales con niños o niñas (OR= 4.484; IC 95%: 1.639 – 12.273), reportar lesiones autoinfligidas (OR= 2.512; IC 95%: 1.268 – 4.978) y sentimientos de soledad o desamparo (OR= 1.824; IC 95%: 1.028 – 3.234) antes del internamiento, haber experimentado violencia física en la familia después de los 12 años de edad (OR= 1.915; IC 95%: 3.341 - 63.0) y entender o hablar alguna lengua indígena (OR= 2.581; IC 95%: 1.291 – 5.162). Luego, en un segundo modelo de regresión, aplicado solo al segmento con antecedentes delictivos, surgieron como factores de riesgo: lesiones autoinfligidas (OR= 3.418; IC 95%: 1.583 – 7.378), fantasías sexuales con niños o niñas (OR= 4.892; IC 95%: 1.726 – 13.866), violencia física en la familia antes de los 12 años (OR= 2.493; IC 95%: 1.282 – 4.848), tener madres más jóvenes (edad<=40 años: OR= 1.116; IC 95%: 1.012 – 1.230), tener madres menos educadas, cuya escolaridad no supera el nivel primario (OR= 2.628; IC 95%: 1.239 – 5.574) y hablar alguna lengua indígena (OR= 2.714; IC 95%: 1.155 – 6.378). El tercer modelo, aplicado al segmento sin antecedentes delictivos, arrojó como único factor de riesgo la co-residencia con una madrastra o la pareja del padre (OR= 20.273; IC 95%: 0.670 – 613.346). Se concluye, en primer lugar, que existe una gran diferenciación interna en el grupo de jóvenes de CJDR sancionados por delitos sexuales, para la cual el criterio de los antecedentes delictivos constituye tan solo un indicador de muchas otras diferencias; y en segundo lugar, que los factores de riesgo para delitos sexuales entre estos jóvenes son diversos e involucran la violencia familiar, los estados emocionales y psicológicos, la estructura familiar (particularmente en relación con las madres) y aspectos culturales. Estos y otros hallazgos del estudio tienen implicancias para la definición y puesta en práctica de estrategias de tratamiento y rehabilitación de jóvenes que han cometido delitos sexuales, así como para las acciones y políticas de prevención de la violencia sexual.
... In the past, many professionals in mental health thought that the sexually abusive behavior of adolescents is a part of the normal aggressiveness of sexual maturation [14,15]. Other researchers found that most adolescent sexual offenders had previous interpersonal sexual experiences [16,17]. However, the actual incidence of sexual crimes committed by adolescents in Egypt is still unknown. ...
Traditional Arab culture hides male sexual abuse and considers it a shame. Instead of treating male victims of sexual assault, they are often stigmatized as homosexual individuals. Moreover, guardians of sexually abused boys are also negatively affected. They have to choose between reporting abuse to a legal authority with the risk of labeling their child or keeping a close eye on them to prevent further abuse. However, reporting abuse to healthcare authorities does take place. Disclosing sexual abuse in the privacy of a psychiatric clinic is often the only way for victims to be successfully treated for the psychological effects of such abuse.
This study uses cluster analysis to develop a classification of sexually aggressive juveniles, based on demographic information, offense details, psychological and behavioral issues, and participation in treatment. Data were collected from two treatment programs ( n = 95) that serve this population. Four distinct types were found: sexually aggressive (those who were otherwise nondelinquent), revenge (those who were mostly nondelinquent but specifically targeted step- and half-siblings), disturbed revenge (those who offended against half- and stepsiblings, and demonstrated more significant behavioral and psychological disturbances) , and disturbed aggressive (overall antisocial individuals who displayed problems with psychological issues and violent behaviors). The results suggest that sexually aggressive juveniles are a heterogeneous population that, while sharing some similarities with their adult counterparts, are different in many ways, and early treatment interventions may help reduce the risk of adult offending.
After nearly a century of research investigating the causes, nature, and extent of sexual violence, widespread myths, misconceptions, and erroneous conclusions still persist about sex offending and the perpetrators of these behaviors. More specifically, there is a pervasive idea that sexual violence is widespread throughout the whole of society, is getting worse as time goes on, and that all perpetrators of sex crimes manifest sexual deviance and begin offending early in life, offend frequently, target any potential victims, and offend more seriously as time goes on—well into the late years of adulthood. To be sure, there has always been, and continues to be, a significant gap between these perceptions and the scientific evidence associated with the prevalence and characteristics of perpetrators’ sex offending behavior. Having said that, while scientific measurement of the prevalence of and characteristics of sex offending behavior has improved dramatically over time, it still remains an imprecise science to a large extent. This chapter marries widespread myths, misconceptions, and erroneous conclusions about sex offending with the scientific evidence about them as it has developed over time. Using the criminal career framework in criminology, this chapter highlights the complexity of sexual criminal careers and how the associated measurement of criminal career parameters may lead to the underestimation or overestimation of sexual offending behavior, all with the aim of zeroing in on the most scientifically informed estimates science can currently provide.
Many sexual offenders begin to commit sexual crimes in adolescence. A growing number of adolescent sexual offenders are being apprehended and convicted. In this survey, it was found that many of them began to learn about sex prior to puberty and had sexual relations with adults who were gener ally eight years older than the offender.
A sample of 231 sexual offenders was studied with respect to the progression of their offenses from non-contact sexual crimes (such as exhibitionism and voyeurism) as juveniles, to the more serious sex assaults of rape and child molestation as adults. The results of this study reveal that a significant number of offenders manifest a history of sexually inappropriate behaviors beginning in early adolescence. It appears from the study that many offenders begin to act out sexually at an early age and if left untreated may escalate to more serious sexual assaults.
No abstract available. Offender Treatment Sexual Assault Offender Sexual Assault Treatment Offender Assessment Juvenile Offender Juvenile Treatment Juvenile Violence Psychotherapy Dangerousness Violence Against Women 11-99
Describes a group of 26 15–17 yr old boys convicted of rape and child assault and a group of 37 adult convicted offenders who had a juvenile criminal history of rape or child assault. Demographic and criminological characteristics of the sample are presented in table form. A descriptive profile of the typical offender from this sample is presented, and differences between those who rape and those who molest children are noted. In only 9 cases (14%) did the sexual assault appear to be the 1st interpersonal sexual experience in the offender's life. A common characteristic of the adult offenders was their consistency over time in act, choice of victim, locale, and degree of force used. It is noted that often there were more incidents of antisocial sexual behavior known to the police, parents, or neighbors than those that appeared on the offender's criminal record. Typically, these incidents were dismissed as unimportant. The dynamics of forcible assault by adolescents were the same as those exhibited by the adult offender: a sexual expression of anger and/or power. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Despite considerable theorizing on the subject, empirical research focusing on hypothesized links between sexual arousal and aggression has been slow to follow. Recent studies have found that under differing experimental conditions there are both mutually facilitative and inverse relationships between sex and aggression. Available models designed to account for these findings are examined. An alternative model is proposed incorporating distinctions between hostile and assertive aggression and placing emphasis on the role of discriminative inhibitory and disinhibitory cues. Some implications and possible applications of this model for human sexual behavior are considered.
This study compares the psychiatric, neurological, and psychoeducational status of sexually assaultive male juveniles and other violent juveniles. The authors found that juvenile sexual assaulters suffered from neuropsychiatric problems similar to those of other violent juveniles, had committed violent acts other than sexual assault, and had had seriously aberrant behavior since early childhood. The findings contradict prevailing assumptions that sexual assaults by juveniles are rare occurrences and that juvenile sex offenders have low rates of recidivism. Theoretical and treatment implications are discussed.
Juvenile violent, nonviolent, and sexual offenders were compared across a broad range of intellectual, neuropsychological, and psychoeducational measures. No systematic group differences were noted, nor was cognitive status related to the severity of violent behavior. These findings cast doubt on the generalizability of previous investigations implicating cerebral dysfunction in juvenile delinquents.