NCJ Number
108744
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1987) Pages: 351-364
Date Published
1987
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Using data for 37 cases from an Illinois children and family services agency, this study profiled the juvenile sexual offender and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Abstract
A juvenile sex offense was defined as fondling, exposure, or anal, oral, vaginal, or attempted intercourse by an individual under 18 years old. In two-thirds of the cases, the juvenile had committed more than one offense, and 30 percent involved several sexual incidents extending over a long period. Mean age at time of last reported sexual offense was 13.1 years. Of offenders, 30 were male, 25 were white and 11 were black, and the majority were the oldest male in the family. A majority of offenses took place in the offender's own home (30 percent) or a foster home (46 percent). Victims ranged in age from 3 years to adult, with a mean age (excluding the one adult) of 9.2 years. The most common offense was fondling, followed by oral intercourse. Verbal threats were described in 38 percent of cases and threats of physical force in 8 percent. Of victims, 19 percent were foster sisters, 16 percent were foster brothers, 16 percent were friends in residential group care, and 14 percent were biological sisters. The victim was female in 53 percent of the cases. The most common disposition was referral to counseling (68 percent of cases). Aggression toward family, behavior problems at home and school, delinquent behavior, and academic problems were the most frequently identified behavior problems in this group. 6 tables and 14 references.