NCJ Number
149893
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 18 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1994) Pages: 683-697
Date Published
1994
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper explores possible reasons why individuals who have been victims of sexual abuse may themselves become, as adolescents and young adults, perpetrators of sexual abuse; the study also documents long-term mental health sequels of unwanted sexual contacts in childhood among young adult males.
Abstract
Respondents in a stratified random sample of 750 males aged 18 to 27 in Calgary, Canada, were asked to recall unwanted sexual contacts that occurred before they were 17 years old. A total of 117 (15.6 percent) had experienced one or more unwanted sexual contacts. those recalling multiple events of abuse (52 individuals, 6.9 percent of all respondents) were distinguished from other respondents at a statistically significant level on the following indicators: emotional abuse in childhood, higher rates of current or recent depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings and behavior, and current sexual interest in or actual behavior that involved minors. The combination of emotional abuse in the respondent's childhood with multiple events of sexual abuse was a relatively good predictor of both poor mental health and later sexual interest in or sexual contact with children. Eight apparently active pedophiles were identified, using a computer response system that assured anonymity. This study underscores the need for preventive measures and the prompt identification and treatment of victims before they enter the victim-to-abuser cycle. 7 tables and 52 references