Abstract
Objective:This article reports on offense related characteristics and the psychosexual development in subgroups of juvenile sex offenders as measured by the Global Assessment Instrument for Juvenile Sex Offenders (GAIJSO). The predictive validity of these characteristics for persistent (sexual) offensive behavior in subgroups of juvenile sex offenders was investigated.Methods:One hundred seventy four sex offenders (mean age 14.9 SD 1.4) referred by the police to the Dutch Child Protection Board were examined. Offense related characteristics were assessed by means of the GAIJSO and the BARO (a global assessment tool for juvenile delinquents), and criminal careers of the subjects were ascertained from official judicial records.Results:Serious need for comprehensive diagnostics were found on the domains sexual offense and psychosexual development in juvenile sex offenders, especially in the group of child molesters. These youngsters displayed more internalizing and (psychosexual) developmental problems and their sexual offense was more alarming as compared to the other juvenile sex offender subgroups. Although one third of the juveniles had already committed one or more sex offenses prior to the index offense, at follow up (mean follow up period: 36 months SD 18 months) almost no sexual recidivism was found (0.6% of the entire sample). However, a substantial proportion of the entire sample of juvenile sex offenders showed non-sexual (55.6%) and violent recidivism (32.1%). Several predictors for a history of multiple sex offending and non-sexual recidivism were identified.Conclusion:This study revealed numerous problems in juvenile sex offenders. Assessment using the GAIJSO is helpful in order to identify indicators for extensive diagnostic assessment. In order to investigate the predictive validity for sexual reoffending a longer follow up period is necessary.
Highlights
It has been estimated that about 20% of all rapes and 20– 50% of cases of child abuse are perpetrated by juveniles [1]
In the assessment of juvenile sex offenders it seems important to distinguish normal from deviant sexual development, in order to know which of these boys is at risk for repetitive sexual offending
This article reports on offense related characteristics and psychosexual development, as measured by the Global Assessment Instrument for Juvenile Sex Offenders (GAIJSO), and the predictive validity of these characteristics for persistent offensive behavior in subgroups of juvenile sex offenders
Summary
It has been estimated that about 20% of all rapes and 20– 50% of cases of child abuse are perpetrated by juveniles [1]. Identifying those youngsters who are at risk for persistent sexual deviant and offensive behavior will avert more victimization at an early stage. The predictive validity of these characteristics for persistent (sexual) offensive behavior, in subgroups of juvenile sex offenders, was investigated. In the assessment of juvenile sex offenders it seems important to distinguish normal from deviant sexual development, in order to know which of these boys is at risk for repetitive sexual offending. Even many low risk adolescents are subjected to long term specific treatment programs and public registration, which may have long term negative effects on the development of these youngsters [6]
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