NCJ Number
178107
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 217-232
Date Published
July 1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Juvenile sex offenders were grouped based on whether they had ever used physical force or threats of force to commit an offense using self-reports on the Multiphasic Sex Inventory (MSI) and a review of clinical records.
Abstract
Subjects included 101 male offenders between 12 and 19 years of age who resided in a residential treatment facility. Cross- tabulation of self-reports and clinical records review were done to define three groups of offenders: rapists (those who used force), nonrapists, and deniers. These three groups were compared using the MSI and on other variables assessing offense patterns, sexual deviance, delinquent attitudes, perceived social competence, and offense-related cognitions. Rapists reported significantly more sexual assault fantasy/predatory behavior, greater preoccupation with children, and more paraphilias than nonrapists and deniers. Compared to deniers, rapists also reported more obsessive thinking about sex and a greater willingness to participate in treatment. Study findings are discussed with a focus on the apparent validity and usefulness of subtyping juvenile offenders based on whether they have used physical force or threats of force in committing a sex offense. An appendix contains self-report and offense pattern scales derived from the MSI. 24 references and 3 tables