NCJ Number
210298
Date Published
January 2003
Length
114 pages
Annotation
As part of a South African study of child-rape offenders, this paper presents findings and recommendations from a review of South-African and international literature on child-rape offenders drawn from many disciplines and data sources.
Abstract
Regarding the prevalence of child rape, the review found that recorded cases of child rape compose approximately 40 percent of all recorded rape cases in South Africa, and recorded rape cases that involve children under 12 years old compose 37 percent of all recorded child rape cases. Further, although the overall numbers of recorded incidents of child rape are reason for concern, no statistically significant increases or decreases have occurred. Regarding a profile of a child-rape offender, there is no typical profile; however, there are broad factors that motivate this type of behavior. Offenders tend to be between 18 and 30 years old, and the abuse of alcohol and drugs is apparently linked to sex offending. Based on the findings of this literature review, this paper recommends that the Child Rape Offender Profiling Study be considered an exploratory rather than an explanatory study. Another recommendation is that the project managers consider the mechanism of asking sex offenders who have targeted children to compose explanations of how their sexual behavior evolved. Another recommendation on research methodology is that research location be considered in the selection of interviewers and in the training sessions for interviewers. Recommendations for future projects include a literature review on the norms, values, and control agents relevant to sexual contact between adults and children; a review of behavioral change work in the fight against AIDS; and a study of disclosure and reporting patterns in cases where infants and young children are raped. An extensive bibliography is provided.