NCJ Number
171469
Date Published
1997
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Primary prevention of juvenile sex offenses requires social, cultural, and familial change to alter the earliest learning experiences of children in the family and in the community; secondary prevention of such offenses requires specialized intervention with children in groups known to be at increased risk for developing sexually aggressive or deviant behavior.
Abstract
The two most common characteristics among all types of abusers are the lack of empathy and the misattribution of responsibility. Empathy develops from birth in infants who are cared for by consistent, empathic caregivers and should begin to be seen in the infant's interactions very early in life. In addition to considering the development of the child in interaction with his/her parents, primary prevention of juvenile sex offenses must also involve sexual development in the general population of all children. This paper discusses the range of sexual behaviors exhibited by children, the assessment of sexual interaction and relationships of two or more children, how to respond to the sexual behavior of children, and victim interventions. The goals of response to the adolescent's sexual behavior are the same as for children: to foster communication, empathy, and accountability in order to prevent exploitative behavior. Secondary prevention should focus on groups at high risk for sexually abusive behavior. These include children who have been sexually abused or otherwise maltreated, exposed to overstimulating or incomprehensible sexuality, or exposed to sexualized models of compensation, as well as those who have been emotionally neglected, physically abused, abandoned, rejected, institutionalized, or undersocialized. These children must retrace developmental stages, experience new relationships, and become competent both affectively and socially. 4 figures and 22 references