NCJ Number
149641
Date Published
1993
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This booklet for teen males who have committed or are thinking about committing a sexual offense is designed to help them understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; seek the help they need; and stop themselves from offending.
Abstract
The booklet first explains a sexual offense as a legal proscription designed to deter and sanction nonconsensual and manipulative sexual behavior that harms its victims. Specific types of sexual behavior sanctioned under Canadian law include sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation, invitation to sexual touching, indecent exposure to a child, anal intercourse, and "other" sexual behaviors. A section on reasons why juveniles commit sexual offenses discusses the dynamics of anger, frustration, and a need for power and control. Also discussed are peer pressure, confusion about sexual feelings, and cultural images of females as sexual objects. The booklet advises that "anything you do after you hear the word "no" (from a potential victim) is illegal and a sexual offense." An outline of the sexual-offense cycle traces the mental and behavioral steps that lead to a sexual offense, so the potential offender may recognize what is happening and resist the cycle at some point before the criminal behavior occurs. Other topics discussed are denial and minimization, thinking errors, what happens in counseling, consequences to the victim and offender in a sexual offense, and making the decision to care about oneself and others. A list of 9 resources