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Sexual Learning and Experience Among Adolescent Sexual Offenders

NCJ Number
88119
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (1982) Pages: 235-241
Author(s)
R E Longo
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Many adolescent sexual offenders surveyed began to learn about sex prior to puberty and had sexual relations with adults who were generally 8 years older than the offender.
Abstract
Each of the 17 subjects, all 19 years old or younger, completed a confidential questionnaire. All of the subjects had been tried as adults for a sexual offense and sentenced; they had been in treatment for a minimum of 8 months. Results indicate that most had had sexual experiences during the elementary school years. The amount of direct consenting sexual contact with adults appeared to be higher among this group than among average adolescent males. Many reported that they felt uncomfortable, insecure, and inexperienced with older sexual partners. Moreover, there were more instances of molestation or sexual trauma during childhood in this group. Research and treatment for this population should be continued. Two tables and nine references are supplied.