About Adolescent Sex Offenders

(all information is copyright Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.)

What is adolescent sexual offense?

It is when a young person engages in sexual activity with another child through coaxing or flattery, bribery or trickery, force or threats.

Are adolescent sexual offenses common?

Yes. Studies show that between 1/4 and 1/3 of all arrests for sexual offenses involve people under 18. In the past, these offenses were written off as childhood "experimentation." Today the picture is much clearer. We know that adolescent sex offenders do terrible harm to their victims and to themselves. (Adolescent sex offender is used to describe any person under 18).

What types of acts do young sex offenders commit?

Non - physical offenses:

• self-exposure (for example "flashing" or mastubating in front of the victim)
• voyeurism (for example watching others dressing or bathing)
• sharing pornography
• obscene phone calls
• sexually harassing language

Physical Offenses:

• fondling
• rubbing against the victim's body
• inserting fingers or other objects into the victim's body
• giving or receiving oral sex
• engagin in vaginal or anal intercourse

Most adolescent sex offenders follow patterns of abuse. The two basic patterns involve:

• SEDUCTION - These youth may be shy, awkward and socially unsure. They also tend to rely on trickery or persuasion rather than physical force and develop ongoing relationships with the children they abuse.
• AGGRESSION - Aggressive offenders may seem confident and charming in social groups. Or, they may be angry or antisocial. They also tend to rely on physical force to sexually abuse other kids and become aggressive and angry if confronted with their offense.

However, adolescent sex offenders may use elements of both patterns.

There is no single type of child who becomes a sex offender. However, children who commit these acts are usually (but not always) boys who have histories of:

• Physical Abuse - They're often victims themselves of beatings and physical mistreatment by adults or older children.
• Sexual Abuse - Studies show many adolescent sex offenders have been sexuall abused.
• Family Trouble - At home they may have been exposed to physical or emotional neglect, rigid control (or no supervision), inappropriate sexual modeling (for example, exposing children to pornography or sex acts between adults), addictions, domestic violence.
• Emotional problems - Some adolescent sex offenders are antisocial. Others suffer from anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, and other psychological problems.

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE COMMIT THESE ACTS?

Reasons may include a need to:

• Gain Control - Adolescent sex offenders are often caught in a cycle of abuse. Abusing younger children may be an attempt to regain the sense of control they lost after having been abused themselves.
• Vent Anger - Rage is a common result of feeling helpless or hopeless. Abusing younger children may be a way for some youth to express these strong feelings.
• Handle deep hurt - Adolescent sex offenders have often been punished, neglected, or scorned by their parents or other adults. They may try to ease their hurt through sexual behaviors that feel good.

How do young sex offenders operate?

• Build the victim's trust by giving lots of nonsexual attention like talking and listening to the victim, spending time together, or sharing foor or candy.
• Share activities the victim enjoys. This could involve anything the victim sees as a good time -- playing games together, going to the movies, etc.
• Seek time alone with the victim. Examples include watching TV together, baby-sitting, or playing or sleeping together in a room. After the offense, the offender may use guilt or threats to keep the victim quiet.