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Routine Activities Preceding Adolescent Sexual Abuse of Younger Children
Benoit Leclerc1, Marcus Felson2
1Griffith University, Queensland, Australia b.leclerc@griffith.edu.au.
Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment
|July 26, 2014
Summary
Adolescent sexual offenders use routine activities, similar to adults, to access child victims. They are particularly adept at using games and activities to initiate sexual abuse, highlighting a need for targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- Adolescent abuse of younger children is a recognized issue.
- Empirical research on the specific circumstances is limited.
- Adult sex offenders utilize routine activities to facilitate offenses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the routine activities employed by adolescent offenders.
- To determine if adolescent offenders' methods resemble those of adult offenders.
- To identify situational factors in adolescent sexual abuse.
Main Methods:
- Administered Kaufman's Modus Operandi Questionnaire.
- Sample comprised 116 Canadian adolescent males in treatment for sexual offenses against children.
- Examined how offenders find victims, gain access, and create opportunities for sexual contact.
Main Results:
- Adolescent offenders employ routines similar to adult offenders.
- Adolescent offenders are more proficient in using games and activities as a prelude to abuse.
- Routine, legal activities can be exploited to facilitate sexual abuse.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent offenders' modus operandi shares similarities with adult offenders.
- Understanding routine activities is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
- Situational prevention must consider how everyday activities can be co-opted for abuse.
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