NCJ Number
198109
Journal
Prevention Researcher Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 11-13
Date Published
November 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the types of juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) based on characteristics of the offense and the offender.
Abstract
There are significant patterns in categorizing JSOs. Offenders can be grouped into aggressive offenses (sexual assault and rape), hands-off offenses (voyeurism, exhibitionism, obscene phone calls), and pedophiliac offenses (offenses against young children). There is a high rate of delinquency and violent behavior in the first group, along with a higher incidence of borderline intelligence. The hands-off offenders are better adjusted in general, and their offenses are described as impulsive and not experienced as sexual. The pedophiliac group is characterized by a high incidence of family violence, poor bonding with parents, and high rates of delinquency. The most useful distinction seems to be based on the age of the victims of the offenses: peers or adults, and children. JSOs that offend against peers and adults tend to target females and strangers or casual acquaintances, while those that offend against children have more male victims and more related victims. Those that offend against peers or adults are more often involved in other criminal activity, display higher levels of violence, and use weapons and cause injuries more often. Those that offend against children tend to commit offenses based on opportunity rather than planning, and have low self-esteem and depression coupled with deficits in social skills. There is a four-group typology based on personality test scores of 97 adolescent sexual offenders. They are antisocial/impulsive, unusual/isolated, over-controlled/reserved, and confident/aggressive. Different therapy issues should be part of a treatment for each of these groups. Although most JSOs do not become adult offenders, appropriate intervention can reduce the number of repeat offenders.