Offense Trajectories, the Unfolding of Sexual and Non-Sexual Criminal Activity, and Sex Offense Characteristics of Adolescent Sex Offenders

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 791-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Cale ◽  
Stephen Smallbone ◽  
Sue Rayment-McHugh ◽  
Chris Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Adolescent Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Offending Trajectories ◽  
Longitudinal View ◽  
Offending Patterns ◽  
Sex Offense

The current study examines offending trajectories of adolescent sexual offenders (ASOs). Until recently, classification frameworks have not been designed to account for the heterogeneity of offending patterns in adolescence, how these are associated with the unfolding of sexual and non-sexual criminal activity, and whether and to what extent they are related to the characteristics of sex offenses in adolescence. The current study takes a longitudinal view of offending in adolescence by examining retrospective longitudinal data of 217 ASOs referred for treatment to a clinical service between 2001 and 2009 in Australia. General offending trajectories in adolescence were examined using semi-parametric group-based modeling, and compared according to non-violent non-sexual, violent-non-sexual, and sex offending criminal activity parameters (e.g., participation, onset, frequency, specialization/versatility) and the characteristics of the referral sexual offense. The results show distinct differences in the unfolding of sexual and non-sexual criminal activity along different offending trajectories of ASOs, and further, that these trajectories were differentially associated with the characteristics of the sexual offenses they committed.

scholarly journals Developmental Factors in Adolescent Child Sexual Offenders

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1089-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Dennison ◽  
Benoit Leclerc
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Adolescent Sexual Offenders ◽  
Developmental Factors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adult Sex Offenders

Scholars have studied developmental factors relevant to adult sex offenders. These factors, however, have not been of interest so far in the area of adolescent sexual offenders. Given the paucity of research in this area, this study examines developmental factors that may be relevant in understanding why some offenders become persistent throughout the course of adolescence. The sample consisted of male adolescents convicted of a sexual offense against a child. Compared to nonrepeat sexual offenders ( n = 80), repeat sexual offenders ( n = 27) were characterized by a history of sexual abuse victimization and inappropriate sexual behaviors. However, offenders who had a history of sexual abuse but who did not exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviors were more likely to be classified as repeat sex offenders.

Evaluation of New Jersey's Sex Offender Treatment Program at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center: Preliminary Results

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Zgoba ◽  
Wayne R. Sager ◽  
Philip H. Witt
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Correctional Facility ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Sex Offender Treatment ◽  
Sexual Offenses

This study examined 10-year sexual and non-sexual offense recidivism for sex offenders released from New Jersey's general prison system and from the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC), New Jersey's correctional facility and treatment center for repetitive-compulsive sexual offenders. The study found that sexual offenders released from the ADTC had significantly lower rates of committing both non-sexual offenses and any offense, compared with the general prison population of sex offenders. For both groups, the 10-year sexual offense reconviction rates were relatively low, 8.6% for the ADTC offenders and 12.7% for the general prison sexual offenders, while reoffense rates for non-sexual offenses were 25.8% and 44.1% for ADTC and general prison sex offenders, respectively.

Failure to Register as a Predictor of Sex Offense Recidivism

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Zgoba ◽  
Jill Levenson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Megan's Law ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Registered Sex Offenders ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Sex Offense

This quasi-experimental study analyzed the recidivism outcomes of 1,125 sexual offenders in two groups. The first group comprised 644 registered sex offenders who were convicted of a sex crime and at some point failed to register after release from prison. The comparison group contained 481 registered sex offenders released from prison during a similar time frame who did not fail to register after their release. The groups were then tracked for both sexual and nonsexual offenses to determine whether failure to register under Megan’s Law is predictive of reoffending. Failure to register was not a significant predictor of sexual recidivism, casting doubt on the belief that sex offenders who are noncompliant with registration are especially sexually dangerous. Few differences between groups were detected, but FTR offenders were more likely to have sexually assaulted a stranger and to have adult female victims, further challenging the stereotype of the child predator who absconds to evade detection. Potential policy implications are discussed.

To Reoffend or Not to Reoffend? An Investigation of Recidivism Among Individuals With Sexual Offense Histories and Psychopathy

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 107906321987717
Author(s):  
Pauline C. Leung ◽  
Jan Looman ◽  
Jeffrey Abracen
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Factor Scores ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
R Factor ◽  
Established Risk Factor ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽  
Hare Psychopathy Checklist

Although psychopathy is a well-established risk factor for recidivism among those who have committed sexual offenses, there are nonetheless some individuals with sexual offense histories who are high in psychopathy but do not recidivate. This population—nonrecidivating psychopathic sex offenders (NRP-SOs)—was the focus of the current investigation. Data from 111 individuals with sexual offense histories who received a Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) rating of at least 25 (suggesting the presence of psychopathy) were analyzed. With recidivism operationalized as the accrual of any new serious—that is, violent or sexual—charges, 39 recidivated (RP-SOs), whereas 72 did not (NRP-SOs). A logistic regression was conducted to assess whether NRP-SOs could be differentiated from RP-SOs. Being older at the time of release, a lesser criminal history, and being married predicted nonrecidivism. PCL-R factor scores and sexual deviance were not predictive. These findings highlight the heterogeneity that exists, even among those high in psychopathy.

An Opportunity View of Child Sexual Offending: Investigating Nonpersuasion and Circumstances of Offending Through Criminological Lens

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 869-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Leclerc ◽  
Jean Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Contact ◽  
Sex Offending ◽  
Modus Operandi ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Reported Data

The empirical evidence indicating that sexual offenders against children manipulate their victims to participate in sexual activities dominates the literature on sex offenders and their modus operandi. However, recent evidence suggests that a high proportion of these offenders do not try to persuade their victims for sexual contact in the first place by using coercion or manipulation but simply assault them when an opportunity arises. Using self-reported data from a sample of incarcerated adult sexual offenders against children, we investigate whether sexual offenses against children committed by the use of nonpersuasion are characterized by little planning and by offense features that are indicative of opportunistic offending. We also examine the interaction between the type of offending strategy and the context of abuse. Findings reveal that offenders using nonpersuasion do not seek out potential victims, but rather seize an opportunity to offend. The type of offending strategy also interacts with the context of abuse for most preoffense and offense variables. These interactions are informative of the conditions favoring opportunistic sex offending against children.

The Proportion of Sexual Offenders Who Are Female Is Higher Than Thought

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franca Cortoni ◽  
Kelly M. Babchishin ◽  
Clémence Rat
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Offenders ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fixed Effect ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Female Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Adult Sex Offenders

Women commit sexual offenses, but the proportion of sexual offenders who are female is subject to debates. Based on 17 samples from 12 countries, the current meta-analysis found that a small proportion of sexual offenses reported to police are committed by females (fixed-effect meta-analytical average = 2.2%). In contrast, victimization surveys indicated prevalence rates of female sexual offenders that were six times higher than official data (fixed-effect meta-analytical average = 11.6%). Female sexual offenders are more common among juvenile offenders than adult offenders, with approximately 2 percentage points more female juvenile sex offenders than female adult sex offenders. We also found that males were much more likely to self-report being victimized by female sex offenders compared with females (40% vs. 4%). The current study provides a robust estimate of the prevalence of female sexual offending, using a large sample of sexual offenses across diverse countries.

Assessing Gender Differences and Co-Offending Patterns of a Predominantly “Male-Oriented” Crime: A Comparison of a Cross-National Sample of Juvenile Boys and Girls Arrested for a Sexual Offense

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Vandiver
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Offending Patterns ◽  
Sex Offense ◽  
Social Amplification ◽  
Cross National

This study examines male–female differences of juveniles arrested for a sex offense. A cross-national sample of juvenile boys (n = 177) and a population of juvenile girls (n = 177) arrested for a sex offense are utilized for this analysis. It is hypothesized that (1) boys and girls differ substantially in their offending patterns. Based on Moffitt’s social-amplification hypothesis, it is also hypothesized that (2) juveniles who act with a co-offender commit more serious offenses (i.e., more likely to be arrested for rape and have more victims) compared to those who act alone. The results show boys differ from girls: juvenile girls are slightly younger, more likely to be White, more likely to have a co-offender, less likely to commit rape, and be processed formally by law enforcement. The results yielded indicated social amplification appears to occur when girls offend with a co-offender, but not when boys acted with a co-offender.

Parental and Peer Attachment Characteristics: Differentiating Between Youth Sexual and Non-Sexual Offenders and Associations With Sexual Offense Profiles

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (17) ◽  
pp. 2643-2663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie R. Yoder ◽  
George S. Leibowitz ◽  
Leanne Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Sexually Abusive ◽  
Peer Dynamics ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Peer Attachments

Attachment deficits have been suggested as an etiological explanation underlying the development of sexually abusive behaviors and general delinquency among youth. Yet, few researchers have explored the discriminating functions of attachment characteristics or investigated attachments as a stand-alone risk/protective factor explaining offending profiles among youth sexual offenders. This article explored the differences in characteristics of parental and peer attachments between youth sexual ( n = 355) and non-sexual offenders ( n = 150). Furthermore, associations between family and peer attachments and criminal profiles of sexual offenders were tested. The t-test results revealed that the groups of youth differed on various mother and father attachment characteristics, with youth sexual offenders exhibiting greater deficits. Regression models revealed lower levels of mother and peer trust and communication were associated with more severe sexual offenses; low levels of mother trust were associated with more victims; and low levels of mother trust and high father alienation were associated with more non-sexual criminality. Practice implications suggest the need to amalgamate families more consistently into treatment and addressing peer dynamics within groups and community contexts.

scholarly journals “It’s Sort of Reaffirmed to Me That I’m Not a Monster, I’m Not a Terrible Person”: Sex Offenders’ Movements Toward Desistance via Peer-Support Roles in Prison

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 759-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Perrin ◽  
Nicholas Blagden ◽  
Belinda Winder ◽  
Gayle Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Future Utility ◽  
Reduced Risk

Individuals incarcerated in prisons across the United Kingdom and abroad are able to volunteer for a variety of peer-support roles, which are characterized by prisoner-to-prisoner helping. Some research has found that such roles can represent turning points in the lives of those who have offended and encourage movements toward desistance. This proposed redemptive influence is argued to result from the prosocial behaviors that such roles appear to elicit in their holders. The present study aims to explore the mechanics of this claimed influence. While a limited amount of research has attempted this on a general offending population, no research has done so with a sample of sexual offenders. Given the intensive treatment programs involved in such contexts, and the requirements for sexual offenders to demonstrate reduced risk, the authors believe those serving time for sexual offenses represent an important sample on which to explore the potentially redemptive properties of peer-support roles. To this end, 13 peer supporters participated in semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenologically oriented thematic analysis. Results suggest that sexual offenders who adopt peer-support roles are able to live up to desired selves by “doing good” in prison, “giving back,” and consequently resisting negative labels. These benefits have been theoretically linked with better reintegration outcomes for sexual offenders, who are publicly denigrated in the extreme and find it especially difficult to (re)integrate. Suggestions regarding the future utility of such schemes are offered.

Undetected Recidivism among Rapists and Child Molesters

1982 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 450-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nicholas Groth ◽  
Robert E. Longo ◽  
J. Bradley McFadin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Child Molesters ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Recidivism Rate ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Low Visibility

Although recidivism among dangerous sexual offenders is generally reported to be low, clinical experience suggests otherwise. In order to assess the actual recidivism rate of offenders who commit sexual as saults, we administered to a sample of eighty-three convicted rapists and fifty-four convicted child molesters an anonymous questionnaire in which they were asked a series of questions pertaining to their his tory of sexual offenses. The results indicate that the majority of the offenders had been convicted more than once for a sexual assault. Furthermore, on average, they admitted to having committed two to five times as many sex crimes for which they were not apprehended. This study suggests that dangerous sex offenders usually commit their first sexual assault during adolescence, and that they persist in this criminal behavior, but that the offense has low visibility. For this reason recidivism, as judged by rearrests, is not a dependable measure of rehabilitation of the sexual offender.

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