NCJ Number
192391
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 1-17
Editor(s)
Connie Isaac
Date Published
January 2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article presents descriptive data on juvenile sex offenders involved in State-funded diversion programs.
Abstract
Diversion programs were conceptualized in the 1960's for first-time, low-risk offenders as an alternative to formal court processing. Today, both adjudicated and non-adjudicated youth are referred to diversion programs offering a wide range of services. The use of diversion programs for juvenile sex offenders has received little evaluative attention. This study provided important information on the treatment of juvenile sex offenders within diversion programs to offer insight to this important component in the struggle against criminal sexual behavior. The study consisted of 112 juvenile sex offenders involved in 32 Colorado diversion programs from 1998-1999, observing their demographic and legal characteristics. The data observed was consistent with the general profile of youthful sex offenders. Program outcome indicated that the majority of juveniles in diversion terminated successfully. In addition, most of the juveniles in the sample had no prior arrest. Examination is suggested of the process by which juvenile sex offenders are first assessed, and then assigned to interventions in the diversion setting and the process by which juvenile sex offenders are referred to diversion pre-adjudication and post-adjudication. Tables, appendix and references