Sexually abusive behaviour in juveniles: Deviant and non-deviant pathways |
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Authors: | Ron van Outsem |
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Affiliation: | 1. Forensische Polikliniek De Waag/Dr Henri van der Hoeven Stichting , The Hague, the Netherlands;2. Department of Psychology , VU University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam, the Netherlands ronvanoutsem@casema.nl |
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Abstract: | Abstract In this paper a theoretical framework is presented in an attempt to find an answer to the question of why some juveniles display sexually abusive behaviour and others do not. Until recently, this question has been approached mainly in terms of the presence of psychiatric illness, deviant sexual interests and/or impaired psychosocial development. Empirical research has as yet generally failed to demonstrate this approach to be adequate. It is estimated that only about 40% of juvenile sex offenders appear to show some kind of psychological or developmental deviance. The theoretical framework that is presented here approaches sexual abuse committed by juveniles in terms of normal developmental processes, next to deviant processes. It describes this behaviour, and its presence or absence, as a result of the interaction of biological, psychological and situational factors. |
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Keywords: | Juvenile sex offenders sexually abusive behaviour theories pathways to sexual abuse |
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