NCJ Number
206262
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 223-234
Date Published
July 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This longitudinal study examined sexual recidivism among adolescent sex offenders.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine relative rates of sexual and nonsexual recidivism in a sample of adolescent sex offenders. Previous studies of adolescent sex offenders have revealed that factors related to sexual deviance best predict sexual recidivism. The participants of this study were 303 young males who had been assessed by the Sex Offenders Program of the New South Wales Department of Juvenile Justice. Only those who had a minimum of 4 years elapse from the date of their assessment and the date of follow-up were included. Adult rearrest and reconviction data were obtained for 292 of these individuals. The mean observation period between their adjudication as adolescents and their follow-up as adults was 7.3 years. Seventy-five percent received further convictions for sexual offenses prior to their 18th birthday. As adults, 9 percent came to the attention of the police for further alleged sexual offense, including 5 percent who received convictions for these offenses. Of these, 79 percent also received new convictions for nonsexual offenses. Overall, 61.3 percent of subjects received convictions for nonsexual offenses as adults. The results suggest considerable diversity and persistence in delinquent and criminal behavior, and challenge assumptions about high transition rates from adolescent to adult sexual offending. It is also clear that in New South Wales an adolescent who has come to the attention of the police for a sexual offense presents a much greater risk for further nonsexual offending than for sexual offending. Tables, references