NCJ Number
128865
Date Published
1990
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study theorizes about factors that influence a young male sexual abuse victim to become a sexual victimizer and provides guidelines for treating such persons.
Abstract
The author theorizes that the transition from victim to victimizer is in direct proportion to a number of variables which include the victim's age at the onset of the abuse, duration of the abuse, and the level of trauma and arousal experienced by the victim. Eleven of these variables are described in detail. The discussion notes that there are two basic theories as to how boys and men move from victim to victimizer: the psychoanalytic theory and the social learning theory. The key concepts from psychoanalytic theory useful in explaining the transition are fixation and the concept of ego defense mechanisms. Social learning theory assumes that early abuse experiences have significant potential to imprint, ultimately affecting the child or adolescent developmentally. Two case studies provide classic illustrations of a natural progression from sexual victim to sexual offender. A discussion of the basic principles of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the needs of persons who have been both victims and offenders encompasses guiding the client toward accepting responsibility for his behavior while developing healthier ways to meet his emotional and interpersonal needs. 24 references