Opportunities for Sexual Violence Prevention: Mitigating the Likelihood to Perpetrate

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sexual violence is a major public health and safety concern affecting adolescents and adults.
• Existing research primarily focuses on recidivism among adjudicated sexual offenders.
• There is a need to understand risk factors for first-time and non-adjudicated perpetrators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize literature on risk indicators for sexual violence perpetration among non-adjudicated adolescents and adults.
• To provide an overview of the magnitude, burden, and developmental course of sexual violence.
• To support clinical practice in identifying and mitigating perpetration risks.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of rigorous studies.
• Focus on risk indicators for first-time and non-adjudicated perpetrators.
• Examination of childhood adversity, adolescent perpetration, peer influences, and individual psychological factors.

Main Results:

• Childhood adversity or abuse is strongly associated with increased risk.
• Adolescent perpetration, fraternity membership, unhealthy peer norms, and peer approval for sexual violence in college are significant risk factors.
• Impulsivity and a hostile view of women are linked to higher perpetration likelihood.

Conclusions:

• Risk for sexual violence perpetration can be influenced by a combination of adverse childhood experiences, peer dynamics, and individual psychological traits.
• Protective factors include social support, parental monitoring, and increased empathy during adolescence.
• Developmentally informed prevention strategies are crucial due to variations in perpetration patterns over time.