Child Molestation: Factors Related to Level of Violence

• NCJ Number: 196036
• Journal: Journal of Threat Assessment Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 21-34
• Author(s): Cynthia Calkins Mercado; Mario J. Scalora
• Editor(s): Joseph T. McCann
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5T32MH16156
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This multivariate analysis study examined factors that could differentiate physically aggressive/violent child sex offenders from non-physically aggressive child molesters.

Abstract

Findings revealing that violent and non-violent child molesters differ in several important respects and that violent child molesters are similar to other types of violent offenders were the result of a study that examined factors related to the level of aggression or violence of child molesters. The multivariate analysis study reviewed records on 363 convicted child molesters who were released from either a Nebraska correctional or inpatient treatment facility between 1991 and 1995. Trained coders recorded offender legal, correctional, and treatment records, as well as other pertinent reports. The intent was to obtain all information relevant to offender demographics, legal processing, and offense characteristics. Of the 363 convicted child molesters, 78 were classified as violent and 285 were classified as non-violent. Findings indicated that younger offenders were typically more violent than older offenders, non-violent sex offenders were more likely to be married than violent sex offenders, and married offenders tended to be more violent than divorced or widowed offenders. In addition, it was revealed that violent offenders were more likely to be unemployed, tended to be single, committed their first sex crime at an earlier age, and had more total sex crime charges. Offenders were more sexually violent with strangers than immediate family members and with older victims compared to younger victims. The findings corroborated beliefs of violent child molesters being a more sizable subgroup than generally assumed. In summary, it is seen as important that clinicians be aware of the significant levels of violence in cases of child molestation. Knowing the difference between violent and non-violent can be beneficial to mental health professionals involved in risk assessment. Tables and references