NCJ Number
202377
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 47 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 542-555
Editor(s)
George B. Palermo M.D.
Date Published
October 2003
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study explored family-of-origin characteristics and childhood victimization experiences of child sex offenders.
Abstract
In attempting to explain the etiology of sexual offending behavior, researchers and clinicians have regarded the childhood experiences of adult male sexual offenders as significant. The purpose of this study was to examine childhood victimization and family-of-origin characteristics in sexual offenders against children in comparison to violent and nonviolent offenders. The study was comprised of 124 male offenders participating in outpatient assessment or treatment at the forensic division of a local psychiatric hospital. The 124 offenders formulated 3 groups: (1) sexual offenders against children (n=33); (2) violent offenders (n=66); and (3) nonviolent offenders (n=25). Results of the study were divided into three sections focusing on three main categories of a questionnaire: (1) childhood sexual abuse; (2) climate in the home of origin; and (3) characteristics of parents and significant others. Study findings revealed that the majority of sexual offenders against children in this sample reported contact sexual abuse during childhood. Sexual abuse and violence were prominent features in the childhood histories of sexual offenders against children and their families. This lends support to the notion that these experiences cause instability that may contribute to later offending behavior. References