Background, Offence Characteristics, and Criminal Outcomes of Aboriginal Youth Who Sexually Offend: A Closer Look at Aboriginal Youth Intervention Needs

• NCJ Number: 220513
• Journal: Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 257-283
• Author(s): Erika Y. Rojas; Heather M. Gretton
• Date Published: September 2007
• Length: 27 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This Canadian study compared the backgrounds, offense characteristics, and reoffending of Aboriginal (n=102) and non-Aboriginal (n=257) youths who committed sexual offenses and were ordered to enter a sexual offender treatment program in British Columbia between 1985 and 2004.

Abstract

The study found that Aboriginal youths were more likely than non-Aboriginal youths to have background histories of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, substance abuse, childhood abuse, academic difficulties, and instability in their living environments. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youths had a tendency to target children under 12 years old, females, and persons they had known prior to the offense. Aboriginal youths were more likely than non-Aboriginal youths to be using drugs at the time of their sexual index offense. Data on reoffending showed that Aboriginal youths were more likely to reoffend sexually, violently, and nonviolently during the 10-year followup period. The time between discharge and the commission of all types of reoffending was significantly shorter for Aboriginal youths compared with non-Aboriginal youths. Clearly, more focused and enlightened efforts are required in developing and improving interventions for Aboriginal youths that are relevant and effective for their social and cultural context and that significantly reduce their long-term risk for offending. Trained undergraduate research assistants coded background and offense characteristics retrospectively from the youths' file records following their discharge from Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services. File information included the results of psychological and psychiatric assessments, predisposition and social history reports, police documents, treatment notes, and progress reports on the youths' attendance and behavior in the treatment program. 5 tables, 3 figures, and 53 references