NCJ Number
228726
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2009 Pages: 382-387
Date Published
October 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article presents a critical review of the literature regarding moderators of the sexual victim to offender cycle.
Abstract
This review indicates that post-abuse (masturbation, fantasy, and pleasure) and family factors (parental loss, family support, and experiencing multiple forms of abuse) have the greatest support as moderators of the sexual victim to offender cycle in males. The most common weakness in the literature reviewed is the vague definition of variables; particularly many studies do not adequately define childhood sexual abuse in a specific, objective manner. One of the most commonly explored outcomes of male childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is later sexual victimization. However, this review focuses on victims of CSA and seeks to elucidate factors that increase the likelihood that male victims of CSA will go on to sexually offend. This article presents a comprehensive, critical review of the literature regarding moderators of the victim to offender cycle. Each study in the review is appraised in chronological order. The methodological strengths and weaknesses of each study are presented and conclusions are made regarding the moderators with the strongest empirical basis. Clinical implications and directions for future research are suggested. Figure and references