MOTIVATIONAL INTENT IN THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN

• NCJ Number: 45483
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 253-264
• Author(s): A N GROTH; A W BURGESS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: American Assoc of Correctional Psychologists; Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: THIS ARTICLE IS A REVISED VERSION OF A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN ANNUAL MEETING, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 12, 1976

Annotation

ACCOUNTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PRESENTED BY 74 PREADULT VICTIMS AND 137 CONVICTED OFFENDERS ARE EXAMINED IN A STUDY OF MOTIVATIONS IN THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN.

Abstract

TWO TYPES OF CHILD ASSAULT ARE IDENTIFIED: SEX-PRESSURE, IN WHICH THE CHILD IS ENTICED OR ENTRAPPED INTO SEXUAL ACTIVITY; AND SEX-FORCE, IN WHICH THE VICTIM IS FORCED TO SUBMIT THROUGH EXPLOITATION, INTIMIDATION, AND/OR AGGRESSION. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT, ALTHOUGH THE PHYSICAL TRAUMA IN SEX-PRESSURE SITUATIONS MAY BE MINIMAL, THE INITIATION OF THE CHILD PREMATURELY INTO SEXUALITY MAY HAVE MORE INSIDIOUS, LONG-RANGE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS. IN SEX-FORCE SITUATIONS, THE RISK OF PHYSICAL TRAUMA IS GREATER, BUT, SINCE THIS TYPE OF ASSAULT IS MORE VISIBLE, CRISIS INTERVENTION MAY BEGIN SOONER TO DEAL WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL AFTEREFFECTS. DIFFERENTIATION OF OFFENDERS WITH REGARD TO THE MOTIVATIONAL STRUCTURE AND AIM OF ASSAULT HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT. ISSUES OF DOMINANCE, POWER, AUTHORITY, CONTROL, AND AGGRESSION ARE AMONG DEVELOPMENTAL LIFE CONCERNS THAT ARE LIVED OUT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SEXUAL OFFENSE. CASE STUDIES AND LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)