NCJ Number
233436
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 55 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 56-74
Date Published
February 2011
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study compared professionals who sexually abused the children with whom they worked to extra- and intra-familial offenders on personal experiences, criminal histories, offending patterns, and on selected psychological measures tapping aspects of dynamic risk problems.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to establish whether professionals who have sexually molested children with whom they work present as a homogeneous group identifiable by their personal histories, offending patterns, and profiles as distinct from other child molesters (intra-familial and extra-familial offenders). Participants were matched on age and IQ. It was found that child molesters who were professionals (similar to extra-familial offenders generally) were likely to have sexually abused male, or both male and female, children and had abused more than 20 child victims. Professionals were also significantly more likely to have offended against post-pubescent children than were extra-familial or intra-familial offenders. In terms of psychological profiles, professionals, like extra-familial offenders, were found to have a significantly higher level of reported sexual pre-occupation and emotional over-identification with children compared with intra-familial offenders and a significantly lower level of distorted sexual attitudes about their victims compared with extra-familial offenders. These results are discussed in the context of assessment that might be used to assess risk in those working with children in a professional capacity. (Published Abstract) Tables, notes, and references