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Children who engaged in interpersonal problematic sexual behaviors
Cynthia DeLago1, Christine M Schroeder2, Beth Cooper2
1CARES Institute, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM), 42 E. Laurel Road, Stratford, NJ, 08084, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Einstein Medical Center-Philadelphia, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141, United States.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|November 29, 2019
Summary
Child initiators (CIs) of problematic sexual behaviors are often young, have experienced abuse, and are exposed to explicit media. This exposure correlates with initiating invasive sexual acts, suggesting targeted prevention for children is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Pediatric health
Background:
- Over one-third of inappropriate sexual contact experienced by children is initiated by other children.
- Many studies have examined child initiators (CIs) of interpersonal problematic sexual behaviors (IPSBs).
- This study uniquely links CI information with types of sexual contact as described by children they engaged in IPSBs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics of child initiators (CIs).
- To identify the types of sexual acts CIs initiated.
- To explore the relationship between CI characteristics and the nature of initiated behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical charts of CIs and children who experienced IPSBs.
- Data collected from examinations conducted between 2002 and 2013.
Main Results:
- Most CIs were male (83%), related to the victim (75%), and averaged 10 years old.
- 58% of CIs viewed sexually explicit media, and 47% had experienced sexual abuse.
- CIs exposed to sexually explicit media were more likely to initiate invasive sexual acts.
Conclusions:
- Most CIs were young, experienced multiple adverse events, and engaged in invasive IPSBs.
- Exposure to sexually explicit media was associated with initiating invasive sexual acts.
- Prevention efforts should target young children, addressing media exposure and victimization.