Adolescent Female Sex Offenders (From Handbook of Sex Offender Treatment, P 43-1 - 43-16, 2011, Barbara K. Schwartz, ed. - See NCJ-243091)

• NCJ Number: 243134
• Author(s): Kurt M. Bumby, Ph.D.; Nancy Halstenson-Bumby, Ph.D
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Civic Research Institute, Inc
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter's review of research pertinent to the characteristics of adolescent female sex offenders compares adolescent female sex offenders to adolescent female non-offenders, to adolescent male sex offenders, and to adolescent male non-offenders.

Abstract

The most significant finding of the research review is that adolescent female sex offenders were sexually abused at a significantly greater rate than the other groups. Bumby & Bumby (1995) used comparison samples of non-offending female adolescents, as well as sex offending and non-sex offending adolescent males. The study produced data that suggest adolescent female sex offenders were emotionally disturbed, reporting a variety of anxiety-related depressive and suicidal symptomatology. They also had problematic personality traits, had low self-concepts, engaged in a variety of self-destructive and delinquent behaviors, and had experienced physical and sexual abuse. The female sex offenders were similar to the male sex offenders on measures of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-concept, and personality characteristics, often having more maladjustment than the non-sex offending juveniles. The chapter promotes the use of the information-processing-of-trauma (IPTM) model, which has been proposed by Burgess et al. The four contextual phases of this model take into account a variety of factors prior to, during, and following a traumatic event such as sexual abuse. The four phases are pre-trauma, trauma encapsulation, disclosure, and post-trauma outcome. The treatment outcomes anticipated involves six results. First, child sexual abuse is identified and interrupted. Second, the victim's defensive structure and its relationship to abuse are understood. Third, psychological defenses are modified so that the victim can tolerate discussing abuse. Fourth, the trauma at sensory, perceptual, and cognitive levels is unlinked from dysfunctional behaviors. Fifth, the trauma is integrated to past memory. Sixth, coping behaviors are rebuilt to provide for a positive interaction with subsequent contexts. 43 references