Abstract
Criminal record reviews were conducted on 126 juveniles arrested for sex offenses against children (n = 62) or peers and adults (n = 64). Peer/adult offenders were found more consistently to offend against females who were strangers or acquaintances, more frequently to commit their crimes in a public area, and more often to act in a group with other offenders. Peer/adult offenders were also more likely to commit the sex crime in association with other criminal activity, and they evidenced higher overall levels of aggression and violence. In general, the aggression of child molesters tended to intimidation rather than physical force, whereas the aggression of peer/adult offenders was more injurious, and perhaps gratuitous. Violence in peer/adult offenders, but not of child molesters, was predicted by the interactive influence of the victim's gender, age, and level of resistance.
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Hunter, J.A., Hazelwood, R.R. & Slesinger, D. Juvenile-Perpetrated Sex Crimes: Patterns of Offending and Predictors of Violence. Journal of Family Violence 15, 81–93 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007553504805
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007553504805