Drug abuse and the adolescent sex offender: a preliminary analysis.

Abstract

VioLit summary OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article by Mio et al. was to examine the relationship between substance abuse and adolescent sex offenders. METHODOLOGY: This was a non-experimental case study of 7 male adolescent sex offenders who were court mandated to a residential treatment facility in Southern California. The family history of crime, violence and substance abuse, and the juvenile's history of crime, violence, substance abuse, suicide attempts, peer crime and runaway status were examined in a questionnaire administered a licensed clinical social worker and the houseparent staff. Demographic characteristics were noted as well. No statistical analysis of the data was done conducted. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: Six of the adolescents had committed incest and the remaining one had committed a non-incest sexual offense. Six offenders used marijuana or its derivatives, four used stimulants, amphetamines, and uppers/speed, and one used no drugs. Four of the offender's family members used stimulants, amphetamines, upper/speed, and marijuana or its derivatives, two used no drugs. Other drugs used were sedatives/barbiturates, Valium/downers, cocaine, dust/THC/PCP and heroin. The sex offenders had typically negative relationships with either their real or step parents, and siblings. Four out of the seven fathers abused the mothers, while in one case the mother fought back. Four of the adolescents had been raped, three were emotionally and physically abused and one was sexually abused. Two had attempted suicide. All 7 sex offenders committed a variety of crimes, including auto theft, assault, shoplifting and child molestation. AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS: The author stated that juvenile substance abuse may be a indicator of poor judgement. This coupled with family violence may be a predictor of sexual violence. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) KW - Case Studies KW - Juvenile Offender KW - Juvenile Male KW - Juvenile Violence KW - Male Violence KW - Male Offender KW - Drug Use Effects KW - Sexual Assault Causes KW - Sexual Assault Predictors KW - Sexual Assault Risk Factors KW - Sexual Assault Offender KW - Domestic Violence Victim KW - Domestic Violence Effects KW - Child Abuse Effects KW - Child Abuse Victim KW - Juvenile Victim KW - Juvenile Substance Use KW - Parent Substance Use KW - Family Relations KW - Family Substance Use KW - California KW - Child Physical Abuse Victim KW - Child Physical Abuse Effects KW - Victim Turned Offender KW - Child Abuse-Violence Link KW - Substance Use Effects Language: en