NCJ Number
141661
Date Published
August 1993
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Using recent findings regarding the characteristics of juvenile sex offenders and types of intervention and treatment being used, this report emphasizes the need for early, determined, and consistent intervention in their lives.
Abstract
To prevent juvenile sex offenders from avoiding detection or formal intervention, it is extremely important that juvenile courts establish an explicit operational definition of the juvenile sex offender and ensure that all staff are familiar with the basic characteristics of juvenile sex offenders. A classic typology identifies seven main categories of offenders by assessing their age, nature of the offense, previous sexually offensive behavior, social skills and socialization, family background, emotional and psychological development, drug use, cognitive abilities, intelligence, academic performance, and other factors. the optimal judicial response will acknowledge the offending behavior and demand accountability; provide specialized assessment, evaluation, and treatment; and choose the proper placement from a range of treatment settings. Diversion is not generally recommended for juvenile sex offenses. Most treatment efforts used peer-based group counseling. Descriptions of six existing programs using different approaches and 26 references