NCJ Number
187525
Editor(s)
Kristin Littel,
Scott Matson
Date Published
August 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
There are many misconceptions about sex offenses, sex offense victims, and sex offenders, but much has been learned about these behaviors and populations over the past decade that is being used to develop more effective criminal justice interventions.
Abstract
The report attempts to provide factual information to counter certain myths about sex offenders and indicates most sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim or the victim's family. Only a fraction of those who commit sexual assaults are apprehended and convicted for their crimes. Reconviction data suggest most sex offenders do not re-offend. Further, re-offense rates vary among different types of sex offenders and are related to specific characteristics of the offender and the offense. Despite the increase in publicity about sex offenses, the actual rate of reported sexual assault has decreased slightly in recent years. The vast majority of sex offenders are male, although females also commit sex offenses. Contrary to the belief that sex offenders commit sexual assault because they are under the influence of alcohol, it is unlikely that an individual who otherwise would not commit a sexual assault would do so as a direct result of excessive drinking. Most sex offenders were not sexually assaulted as children, and most children who are sexually assaulted do not sexually assault others. Adolescents are responsible for a significant number of rape and child molestation cases each year. Multiple factors, not just sexual victimization as a child, are associated with the development of sexually offending behavior in youth. Treatment programs can contribute to community safety because those who attend and cooperate with program conditions are less likely to re-offend than those who reject intervention. A year of intensive supervision and treatment in the community costs between $5,000 and $15,000 per offender, depending on treatment modality. The average cost of incarcerating an offender is significantly higher, about $22,000 per year excluding treatment costs. Statistics on adult and juvenile sex offenders are provided.