UNIT 8: SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN & YOUTH
1) CONCEPTS
From Greek word ‘child love’ that includes child sexual assault, child molestation, child
exploitation, child porn & any sexual crimes against children
PAEDOPHILIA In DSM-5: at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual
urges/behaviours involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child/children (usually 13
years/younger) = The urges & fantasies aren’t criminal the acts are
HEBEPHILIA Sexual contact by adults with young adolescents (usually between age 13-15)
INCEST Intra-familial child molestation = sexual contact with minor by person in the immediate family
EXTRAFAMILIA L CHI LD Sexual contact with minor child by someone outside the immediate family (ex. soccer coach
MOLESTA TION etc.)
PARAPHILIA Parachute term for all atypical sexual fantasy types (different kinds exist)
2) SITUATIONAL & VICTIMISATION CHARACTERISTICS
Although child sex offending is mainly committed by males = females also commit
Men: more often step-children/distant relatives & mostly female victims
Women: their own biological children/children after whom they care & half male/half female victims
CROSSOVER : engaging in more than 1 type of sex-offending behaviour/victimising persons from different
relationship categories, ages/genders
Types of sexual contact: usually caressing child’s body, fondling child’s genitals & includes child asked to
fondle adult’s genitals (penetration occurs only in small proportion)
Psychological effects: long-term interpersonal, social & psychological problems (ex. depression, guilt,
inferiority, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts/feelings, anxiety, sleep problems, fears & trauma)
Characteristics of child sex offender: usually has low adult intimacy capacity, low IQ, low interpersonal
skills, average sexual self-control & high recidivism
3) COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS (NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTIONS)
Beliefs that facilitate sexual offences against children that justify/excuse sexual offending in general
May believe children are sexual beings who seek to enjoy sex; that adult-child sex relationships are
instructive to child; they are demonstrating affection/children are intentionally provocative
Neurocognitive functioning & prefrontal processing may play a role = neurodevelopmental damage,
poor judgement/impulse control, problems in brain functioning & cognitive processing
Recidivism: very high – penetration of child victim predicted higher incidence of recidivism (higher than
rapists) & offenders may exhibit psychopathy/sexual preoccupation features (more troublesome)
4) CLASSIFICATION PATTERNS
Typology by MTC:
FIXATED Don’t want to hurt children choose children as social & sexual companions
(IMMATURE) SEX Not been able to develop mature relationship with adult peers (didn’t have normal childhood)
OFFENDER Wishes to caress, fondle, touch & taste child (rarely genital intercourse)
REGRESSED SEX Feelings of masculine inadequacy sexual act is usually precipitated by jolt to offender’s
OFFENDER sexual inadequacy & seeks genital sex
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller LieselRob. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $2.85. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.