There is little question that
sexual arousal in children is a powerful predictor of sexual recidivism
among adult abusers (Hanson & Bussiere, 1998; Hanson & Morton-Bourgon,
2004). However, the clarity appears to end there for risk classification
purposes. Arousal to rape among adults has not been shown to be predictive
of subsequent sexual re-offense, although this may be due in part to the
methods employed (ibid.). There is a growing consensus, however, that sexual
arousal in youth is more dynamic than once believed, that its changing
nature prevents it from being an effective predictor, and that it is
therefore less of a treatment target for youthful sexual abusers than for
their adult counterparts (Johnson, 2005; Rich, 2003). Hunter (1999)
observes: Juvenile Sex Offenders –
A minority of sexually abusive youth manifest paraphilic (deviant) sexual
arousal and interest patterns. These arousal and interest patterns are
recurrent and intense and relate directly to the nature of the sexual
behavior problem (e.g., sexual arousal in young children). Deviant sexual
arousal is more clearly established as a motivator of adult sexual
offending, particularly as it relates to pedophilia. A small subset of
juveniles who sexually offend children may represent cases of early-onset pedophilia.

Research has demonstrated that the highest levels of deviant sexual arousal are found in juveniles who exclusively target young
male children, specifically when penetration is involved. In general, the
sexual arousal patterns of sexually abusive youth appear more changeable
than those of adult sex offenders and relate less directly to their
patterns of offending behavior. (p. 3)

The sexual arousal patterns of youth have proven to be elusive targets for
both assessment and treatment. Given that adolescence is by definition a
time of accelerated development, it makes sense that sexual interest and
arousal is subject to change. However, adolescence is also a time when
antisocial behavior is common (Moffitt, 1993).

There is evidence that youth are simply more willing to report behaviors
that cause concern in adults (Zolondek, Abel, Northey, & Jordan, 2001). In
many instances, youth may be re-enacting their own abuse or situations that
they have witnessed (Schwartz, Cavanaugh, Prentky, & Pimental, 2006) rather
than demonstrating a long-term proclivity towards sexual dangerousness.
Given the histories of abuse, neglect, and trauma among sexually abusive
youth, it may well be that harmful sexual behavior is not deviant within the
context of their limited experience.

Research suggests that youthful sexual abusers do not manifest sexual
disorders in the same ways as adults. The evidence indicates that sexual
arousal is fluid and dynamic across adolescence (Hunter & Becker, 1994).
Although sexually abusive youth can engage in sexually deviant behavior, it
appears that the majority of them do not experience persistent and
entrenched sexual deviance.