The Behaviors and Habits of Juvenile
Sex Offenders
It’s Not Always Just About Sex Offenses
New research indicates that juveniles who have committed sexual offenses are more likely to re-offend with non-sexual delinquency than sexual delinquency. This new evidence suggests that there may be subgroups of offenders whose sexual delinquency is only one aspect of a broader range of non-sexual offenses.
Are New Approaches to Treating Juvenile Sex Offenders Needed?
This new evidence suggests that many sexually offending juveniles may need a more integrated treatment approach to address both sexual and non-sexual risk factors. Our clinical work in secure youth corrections facilities has reinforced this need for a dual approach. We have frequently worked with youth who appear to be at a higher risk of engaging in gangs, assaultive behavior, and substance abuse than sexual recidivism.
How Would a Combined Approach to Treating Juvenile Sex Offenders Work?
We have successfully utilized a “Risk Reduction / Health Promotion Plan” that addresses sexual and non-sexual risk factors. The plan implements new thought patterns, coping responses, and community protective factors in an integrated manner.
Why Use a Different Approach to Treating Juvenile Offenders At All?
In our experience, we find gaps when we approach more generally delinquent youth with a more traditional,
narrowly-defined sex offense treatment approach. Such an approach does not sufficiently target the offender’s non-sexual dynamic risk factors. These more general offenders tend to experience the standard approach as not relevant to them and, as a result they are not as motivated or engaged.
Do Additional Juvenile Offender Classes Exist?
The research also classifies youth characterized by issues related to social isolation and deficits in social competence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Many times, their sexually abusive behavior is compensatory. The degree to which these youth exhibit high sexual drive and preoccupation vary.
There is also a small subset of juveniles who have committed sexual offenses and manifest deviant
sexual interests. The typology research has been very helpful in illuminating the diversity that exists between these classes of offenders. The research strongly suggests a need for an individualized approach based on the differential treatment and supervision needs of the varying classes of offenders.
An Individualized Approach to Treating Juvenile Offenders
The typology research cannot yet explain all of the individualized risk factors associated with juvenile sexual offending and other non-sexual conduct problems. Complicating factors include the presence of co-occurring disorders, the recent literature concerning trauma and the brain, and ecological factors. So many of these factors are vital to
adolescent development, yet they are typically ignored. Although there is some notable convergence in the research, there are no empirically validated typologies of juveniles who have committed sexual offenses. There is a great
deal of diversity within the different subtypes and youth may manifest characteristics of more than
one subtype.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, call: Bruce W. Cameron, M.S., LPC-S, LSOTP-S @ 214-431-2032
