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Sex Offender - A Review of the Literature

NCJ Number
102607
Date Published
1984
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a synthesis and annotations of recent literature (1950-1983) on the assessment and treatment of sex offenders, particularly the juvenile sex offender.
Abstract
The annotations are classified under etiology and predictors, profiles, recidivism, and treatment approaches. Under each topic the literature is distinguished by that which is specific to juveniles and that which is not. The synthesis of the literature notes that adolescent males comprise a large percentage of sexual offenders, but researchers have given little attention to juvenile sex offenders. A number of researchers have described distinguishing characteristics of adolescent sex offenders and have profiled various types of sex offenders. Etiological factors associated with juvenile sex offenders include childhood abuse, poor social skills, and social isolation. Three basic treatment approaches with sex offenders are biological, psychological, and behavioral. Although recidivism among dangerous sexual offenders is reported to be low, there is increasing evidence to contradict this. A number of researchers argue that evaluators of sex offender treatment programs should not use recidivism as a measure of program effectiveness, since this measure is unreliable.