The Abuse History of Male Adolescent Sex Offenders

This study of 100 adolescent males incarcerated in a secure residential training school in Florida found no statistical differences in frequency or intensity of sexual or physical victimization between groups divided according to the crimes they committed; all groups had individuals who were repeatedly victimized. Neither sexual nor physical victimization appears to be a necessary or sufficient reason for victimizing others. This study suggests that the relationship between being a victim of sexual or physical abuse and subsequent offending is not direct; other factors must be in operation. One final, surprising finding is that offenders in all four groups were impaired in sexual identity.