NCJ Number
180408
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2000 Pages: 137-146
Date Published
2000
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article reviews current research on adolescent sex offenders, discusses the importance of this research, and suggests directions for future study.
Abstract
Topics addressed in this research review are early onset of sexual deviancy, individual characteristics, age at first offense, nature of the first offense, previous number of arrests/convictions, early predictors, victim's age and gender, level of coercion, relationship with the victim, and the outcome of prior recidivism studies. The research indicates that the early onset of sexually abusive behavior and early problems with delinquency are indicators of the increased likelihood of reoffending. There is apparent support for the contention that particularly deviant sexual abuse repeated over time is an indicator for future offending for adolescents. The level of coercion used against victims is significant, and it is possible that the more heinous the offense, the more psychosexual pathology is necessary to motivate a sex offender to engage in the act. Behavioral problems and mental disturbance may be related to increased risk of reoffending. Family dysfunction, abuse, and neglect may also increase the likelihood of being a sex offender. There is most likely an overlap between adult and adolescent offenders. At this point, however, there is not a sufficient body of literature that would support generalizing all adult risk factors to adolescents. 45 references