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Differences in Psychosexual Development Among Child, Peer, and Mixed Juvenile Sex Offenders
Colleen M Lillard1, Christi Cooper-Lehki2, William J Fremouw1
1Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|September 19, 2019
Summary
Juvenile sex offenders are not a uniform group. Findings reveal distinct differences in offense severity, victim characteristics, and treatment history among child, peer, and mixed offender typologies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- Juvenile sex offending is a complex issue with various typologies.
- Understanding these typologies is crucial for effective intervention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare distinct typologies of juvenile sex offenders based on victim age.
- To identify differences in offender characteristics, offense patterns, and psychosexual development across typologies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from psychological evaluations and the Multiphasic Sex Inventory-II (MSI-II).
- Compared child offenders (victims >4 years younger), peer offenders (victims ≤4 years younger), and mixed offenders (both victim types).
- Analyzed victim, offender, offense characteristics, and psychosexual development variables.
Main Results:
- Peer offenders exhibited more severe offenses, prior charges, and sexual functioning issues.
- Mixed offenders initiated offending earlier, showed indiscriminate victim selection, and were more likely to have prior treatment failures.
- Significant differences were observed across typologies in offense severity, victim characteristics, and treatment history.
Conclusions:
- Juvenile sex offenders represent a heterogeneous group.
- Treatment needs vary significantly among child, peer, and mixed offender typologies, necessitating tailored interventions.
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