NCJ Number
86007
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1982) Pages: 387-397
Date Published
1982
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This review of studies of child sexual offenses and father-daughter incest presents a summary of epidemiological and demographic data and information on offenders and victims.
Abstract
While the information on the prevalence of sexual offenses against children and pubescents is imprecise, it is sufficient to indicate the severity of the problem. Some studies have found that pedophilic or hebephilic males are inadequate, passive, dependent, low in achievement orientation, unorganized, and subservient. Others have found such offenders to have an excessive lack of social skills. Age frequency peaks for offenders were found at 15 to 19, at about 34 years, and at about 55 years. Homosexual offenders against children were generally found to have a significantly higher recidivism rate for sex offenses than comparable heterosexual offenders. Homosexual offenders were found to have notably poor relationships with their fathers. Most sex offense victims were females from low-income families, and the majority of the incidents occurred in the children's own homes with persons known by them. Pertinent demographic data on the incidence of father-daughter incest are not very informative because of the varying definitions of incest and the inadvertent selection of recorded or examined cases. A general sexual attraction to minors is not often found among incestuous fathers, but they are more often alcoholics than are other sex offenders. Incestuous fathers tend to have been raised by dysfunctional families. Victims are most often minors when incest is initiated, and mental health professionals tend to attribute problematic sexual behavior in later life to an incestuous relationship. The studies reviewed lay the groundwork for more narrowly focused investigations into pedophilia and hebephilia. Forty-one references are listed.