Children (Under Twelve) Who Molest (From Child Abuse and Neglect: Guidelines for Identification, Assessment, and Case Management, P 113-116, 2003, Marilyn Strachan Peterson and Michael Durfee, eds. -- See NCJ-200932)

• NCJ Number: 200949
• Author(s): Toni Cavanagh Johnson Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Volcano Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter provides an overview of the clinical presentation and intervention for children under 12 years old who sexually molest other children.

Abstract

Neither the criminal justice system nor the dependency system has accurate information about the incidence of children sexually abusing other children; however, empirical evidence suggests that approximately 80 percent of children who sexually abuse other children are boys. Children under 12 years old who are sexually abusing other children are generally oppositional defiant or conduct disordered, or have attention deficit disorder and/or hyperactivity. They have poor peer relationships, poor problem solving skills, poor school progress, and are impulsive and destructive. Their sexual behavior is pervasive across situations and time. A large number of these children have been emotionally and physically abused as well as emotionally and physically neglected. Virtually all of the children have lived in home environments characterized by sexual confusion and lack of boundaries. They have also witnessed physical violence between their primary caretakers. The pairing of sex with aggression, hostility, and payback has been prevalent in the interactions of the adults and adolescents with whom the child has lived. Most parents of these children have sexual abuse in their family history, as well as emotional and physical abuse. Typically the sexually abusive behavior of these children may include fondling, oral-genital contact, and vaginal or anal penetration of another child with fingers, sticks, and/or other objects. Without intervention, these children's sexual behavior will continue and increase over time. They typically manifest consistent patterns of sexually abusive behavior rather than isolated incidents. It may be necessary to remove the child to a safe and structured environment with adults who model healthy sexual interactions free of aggression, where the child can receive therapy. This decision will depend on the emotional resources of the parents, the stability of the home environment, and the health of the relationships between adults in the children's home. This will determine whether the parents have the ability to quickly provide a structured and safe home environment. A relevant case vignette with follow-up questions is presented. 3 resources