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Juvenile Sex Offenders: A Group on Its Own?

NCJ Number
208605
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 25-36
Author(s)
Anton van Wijk; Joan van Horn; Ruud Bullens; Catrien Bijleveld; Theo Doreleijers
Date Published
February 2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the differences between child molesters, rapists, and violent and property offenders on a range of demographic variables, personality traits, and problematic behavior characteristics.
Abstract
One of the central questions regarding juvenile sex offenders is whether these offenders are different from nonsex offenders. A number of studies have concluded that these two groups of juvenile offenders do not, in fact, differ on various characteristics, including personality traits, cognitive capacities, and family backgrounds. The current study drew data from an aggregated database of forensic assessments of juvenile offenders in the Netherlands. The sample consisted of 57 juvenile rapists and sexual assaulters, 55 child molesters, 85 non-sex violent offenders, and 80 property offenders. The groups were compared on a range of demographic variables, personality traits, and problematic behavior characteristics. Results indicated differences between juvenile sex and non-sex offenders across the range of variables examined, including intelligence scores, self-esteem, and impulsivity. Limitations of the study include limited generalizability and selection bias. Future studies should verify the findings of this study in different settings and with the inclusion of control groups. Tables, references

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