Similarities and differences in adolescence-onset versus adulthood-onset sexual abuse incidents

Nadine McKillop; Sarah J Brown; S Smallbone; K Pritchard

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.02.014

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Similarities and differences in adolescence-onset versus adulthood-onset sexual abuse incidents

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Similarities and differences in adolescence-onset versus adulthood-onset sexual abuse incidents

Nadine McKillop, Sarah J Brown, S Smallbone and K Pritchard

Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol.46, pp.37-46

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.02.014

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Abstract

adolescence-onset

adulthood-onset

sexual offenders

child sexual abuse

situational theories

A sample of males who had first committed sexual offences against children in either adolescence (n= 230; M= 14.0 years, SD= 1.5) or adulthood (n= 280; M= 34.4 years, SD= 11.7) were compared on measures relating to the circumstances of their first known sexual abuse incident. Considerable diversity in the circumstances of these first incidents was observed for both groups. However, adulthood-onset sexual abuse most often occurred following a long-standing familial relationship with a female victim, and in a home setting. The first incident for adolescence-onset offenders also tended to occur in the context of a long-term relationship and against a female child in a home setting, but more commonly against a nonfamilial victim. Adulthood-onset offenders abused older children, were more likely to engage in penetrative sexual behaviors, and went on to abuse over a longer duration than adolescence-onset offenders. Adolescence-onset offences were more likely to be witnessed by a third party. Findings and their implications for prevention are considered from a situational crime prevention perspective. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Details

Title: Similarities and differences in adolescence-onset versus adulthood-onset sexual abuse incidents
Authors: Nadine McKillop (Author) - Griffith University
Sarah J Brown (Author) - Coventry University, United Kingdom
S Smallbone (Author) - Griffith University
K Pritchard (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol.46, pp.37-46
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.02.014
ISSN: 0145-2134
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449942502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Family Studies; Psychology, Social; Social Work

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