CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATA ANALYSIS FOR UNDERSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS OF PERPETRATORS IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE WITHIN THE FAMILY- A STUDY ON REPORTED CASES IN A DISTRICT OF DELHI

Abstract

It may be discerned that the responsibility of the abuse lies fully with the adult (the perpetrator or the offender) who sexually victimizes the child. All the explanations regarding why and who engages in sexual activity with children revolves mostly around the psychology of the offender indicated in various related texts. The personality of the offenders who indulge in sexual activity with children was thought to be inflicted with psychological abnormalities, which may result in an inappropriate sexual interest in children. The perspective in terms of the profile of offender in such cases become important for understanding the social reality surrounding the problem of incest against children. Criminal Justice data indeed helps providing an insight into the nature of such cases reported and relating factors. The present work entails the information constellated from the actual incidences in one of the districts in Delhi (India), with the knowledge base for developing clarity on the problem of intra-family child sexual abuse. The author also uses Routine Activity Theory as theoretical framework for criminological insights into the problem under study. Lastly, the author presents the findings for mechanizing the possibilities towards prevention of such offences in context of offenders.