Bibliographies
Young offenders
Updated February 2010
This bibliography of recent research has been compiled from the library collection of the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Where available online, a link to the document is provided. Most other items can be borrowed from the Institute's library via the interlibrary loan system. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Adolescents who sexually abuse their siblings: a study of family factors and victim selection
Hatch, Joanne
Parkville, Vic.: University of Melbourne, 2005, 93pp
Studies of intrafamilial child sexual abuse have historically focused on father-child incest, but attention is now turning to the area of sibling sexual abuse with some evidence that it is more prevalent and just as harmful as father-child incest. This study found many common characteristics between adolescents who abuse siblings and those who abuse non-siblings, but it also highlighted some important differences. Greater sibling rivalry and relative power in the sibling relationship, and perceptions of mothers as more powerful were associated with sibling sexual abuse. Sibling abusers also reported more family dysfunction and disruption to early attachments, with greater exposure to family violence and reduced early care-giving relationships. Victim selection for both groups was opportunistic, with siblings likely to be targeted when younger siblings were present and accessible. Overall, both proximal and distal factors may contribute to the victim selection process for sibling sexual abuse.
Attachment insecurity as a predisposing and precipitating factor for sexually abusive behaviour by young people
Smallbone, Stephen W
In: Calder, M. C. ed. Children and young people who sexually abuse: new theory, research and practice developments. Lyme Regis, Dorset, England: Russell House Publishing, 2005, p6-18
A new attachment theoretical model for understanding why adolescents commit sexual offences is described in this chapter. The chapter draws on one principle of attachment theory in particular: the theoretical associations between the attachment, care giving and sexual behavioural systems. The chapter explains the development of the attachment behavioural system; the attachment, care giving and sexual behavioural systems; attachment insecurity and attachment instability as predisposing factors for sexual offending behaviour; and looks at evidence for the role of attachment insecurity in sexual offending.
Children and young people who sexually abuse: new theory, research and practice developments
Calder, Martin C
Lyme Regis UK: Russell House Publishing, 2005
This book presents new material in the study of young people who sexually abuse, in the areas of research and theory, engaging clients, assessment, therapy modalities, and outcomes.
The Good Way model: a strengths-based approach for working with young people, especially those with intellectual difficulties, who have sexually abusive behaviour
Ayland, Lesley; West, Bill
Journal of Sexual Aggression v.12 no.2 Jul 2006: 189-201
The Good Way model is used with young people and adults with intellectual difficulties who have sexually abused, and with non disabled adolescents who have sexually abused. The two streams of the model are: the Good Way / Bad Way, which helps participants to identify their strengths and understand their abusive behaviour; and Good House / Bad House, which helps participants to understand the impact on others of their abusive behaviour and to take steps to repair relationships. This article describes the development of the model, its methodology and outcomes so far.
The handbook of clinical intervention with young people who sexually abuse
O’Reilly, Gary
Hove U.K.: Psychological Press, 2004
Chapters cover a variety of topics including: female offenders; family characteristics of young people who sexually abuse; intervention and treatment programs; conparisons between juvenile and adult sexual offenders; psychological assessment of juvenile offenders; offenders with psychiatric disorders and relapse prevention.
Identifying and treating youth who sexually offend: current approaches, techniques, and research
Geffner, Robert
Binghamton, NY: Haworth Maltreatment & Trauma Press, 2004
This book is designed to assist professionals working with youth who sexually offend. A panel of experts discusses the latest research and provides essential theory, techniques, and practical guidelines for the assessment and treatment of this challenging population.
Impacts of programs for adolescents who sexually offend: literature review (PDF 411K)
Nisbet, Ian; Rombouts, Sacha; Smallbone, Stephen
Ashfield, NSW: Department of Community Services, 2005, 40p
Many programs for adolescent sex offenders rely on assumptions about the nature of the work or model their programs on treatment of adult sex offenders. This literature review examines current research evidence, published since 1990, of models of service provision to young sex offenders, their families and other relevant parties. The review focuses on the following issues; program descriptions; previous reviews of the adolescent sex offender literature; treatment outcome studies; the emergence of offence specific programs for adolescents; child sexual abuse; adolescents as perpetrators of child sexual assault; research on adolescent sexual offending; sexual and social deviance; treatment as sex offenders or adolescent offenders; and current approaches to treating adolescents who have sexually offended.
Intervention with sexually abusive young people in Australia and New Zealand
Flanagan, Karen
Journal of Sexual Aggression v.9 no.2 Nov 2003: 135-149
This article presents the results of an audit across Australia and New Zealand on services providing therapeutic intervention with adolescents engaging in sexually abusive behaviours. The author presents an overview of programs running in each state and territory, and New Zealand, including the types of clients accepted and the therapeutic models used. Issues and recommendations based on the review of services are discussed, including the identification of specific gaps in service delivery and the need for timely access to programs.
Intrafamilial adolescent sex offenders: family functioning and treatment
Thornton, Jennifer A; Stevens, Gillian; Grant, Jan; Indermaur, David; Chamarette, Christabel; Halse, Andrea
Journal of Family Studies; Vol. 14, Issue: 2-3; Oct 2008: 362-375
This paper examines the families of intrafamilial adolescent sex offenders attending a community-based treatment program. Qualitative and quantitative data were used to measure family functioning before and after 12 months of treatment. Families were characterised as disorganised, uncommunicative and adversarial. Most of the young offenders, many of whom were themselves victims of abuse, came from step-, blended or foster families. Seventy-four per cent had no, or minimal, contact with at least one biological parent. Conflicts between family members were rarely resolved satisfactorily. After treatment, interviewees reported better family communication and fewer conflicts; there were also significant improvements on a measure of family functioning. Adolescents and their parents reported improvements in self-control, social skills and emotional regulation. Improvements were more likely when at least one parent was engaged in treatment. These findings emphasise the need for treatment to target parents as well as the adolescent offender when intrafamilial sexual abuse occurs.
Intrafamilial adolescent sex offenders: psychological profile and treatment (PDF 0.38 MB)
Grant, Jan; Indermaur, David; Thornton, Jenny; Stevens, G.; Chamarette, Christabel; Halse, Andrea
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2009, 6 pp. Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice no. 375
Sexual abuse of children by other children or adolescents constitutes approximately 40 to 90 percent of sexual offending against children. This paper examines the nature and causes of adolescent intrafamilial sex offending and which treatment approaches are likely to be successful. Using the results of a four-year study in Western Australia, it provides an overview of intrafamilial adolescent sex offenders (IASOs), what is known about them and how they can be conceptualised. Findings show that IASOs have greater developmental trauma and family dysfunction than adult sex offenders. They also demonstrate greater levels of various behavioural difficulties associated with conduct disorders than do extrafamilial and adult sex offenders and the general population; most commonly ADHD and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Adolescent sex offender programs are based on those developed for adult offenders, with cognitive behavioural therapy the dominant model. However, these programs lack appropriate focus on developmental issues and the influence of family on offending patterns. Programs that combine a variety of treatment modalities show more promising outcomes. It is recommended that a need to understand adolescent sex offending as a health issue, rather than a moral one, allows for interventions that have the best possible chance of changing sexually inappropriate behaviour and ending the intergenerational transmission of abuse.
The juvenile sex offender
Barbaree, Howard E; Marshall, William M
New York: Guilford Press, 2006
How does sexual deviance develop in childhood and adolescence? What are the characteristics of youths who perpetrate sex-related crimes? And how can society respond effectively to treat and prevent these highly destructive behaviors? This book examines all of these issues in the light of recent research.
Juvenile sexual offenders: a comprehensive guide to risk evaluation
Rich, Hal
Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2009
The evaluation of risk for sexual re-offense in children and adolescents is quite different from risk evaluation with adult sexual offenders. Sexually abusive youth are persons-in-development, and, as such, must be understood in the social and developmental contexts of their lives, having the potential to change from year to year in their capacities, attitudes, sense of self and others, and neurobiology. With this perspective as its foundation, this book helps the reader become more sensitive and better informed in understanding, assessing, and treating this unique population.
One size does not fit all: future directions for the treatment of sexually abusive youth in New Zealand
Lambie, Ian; Seymour, Fred
Journal of Sexual Aggression v.12 no.2 Jul 2006: 175-187
The literature shows that sexually abusive youth are a heterogeneous population. This article looks at characteristics of sexually abusive youth and calls for the development of typologies of adolescent sexual offenders, which can be used to guide individualised treatment plans. It describes how treatment issues are currently being addressed in New Zealand.
Residential placement of intra-familial adolescent sex offenders
Grant, Jan; Thornton, Jenny; Chamarette, Christabel
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2006, 6p (Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice no.315) (PDF 0.17 MB)
Research suggests that some interventions with young intra familial sex offenders, such as removing the offender from the family home, may make matters worse for families. What is the best place for young offenders to live while undergoing treatment? This paper discusses risk assessment in adolescent sexual offending, advantages and disadvantages of residential relocation, and implications for treatment. It presents an alternative model to relocation, which was developed in Western Australia.
Risk assessment of youth who have sexually abused: theory, controversy, and emerging strategies
Prescott, David
Oklahoma City, Okla.: Woods & Barnes Publishing, 2006
Professionals working with youth who have sexually abused increasingly find themselves asked to make decisions about risk. However, there are no simple answers or empirically validated means for accurately predicting the future behavior of young people. This book summarises what is known and what is not, and offers suggestions for how to cope with this type of assessment.
Sexual offending adolescents: a challenge for out-of-home services
March, Liz
Children Australia v.29 no.3 2004: 30-34
A issue of some concern that has emerged in the field of youth welfare in recent years is that of treatment services for young people who are sexually abusive and unable to reside with their families, or other family settings. This issue has been of such concern to staff at St Luke's Anglicare in Central Victoria that a project of review, both of the need for therapeutic intervention and of contemporary practices, was undertaken in the last twelve months. This short paper summarises the specific findings of staff who worked on this practice oriented project and makes recommendations for future practice with the client group.
Sibling sexual abuse prevention project: a research project on the nature and characteristics of sibling sexual abuse
Children's Protection Society
Heidelberg West, Vic: Children's Protection Society, 2003, 34p
This study compares a group of young people who had abused their siblings with a group who had abused non related children. It explores the abusive behaviours, backgrounds and experiences of young people who sexually abuse their siblings. The report describes the Children's Protection Society's sexual abuse counselling and prevention program and then covers the project methodology and background. It discusses the findings, including: abuser and victim information; abuse related information; access and opportunity; legal outcome; familial characteristics and continuity of care; nature and quality of familial relationships; reports of abuse or harm by parents; documented problem behaviours; and documented peer relationship difficulties.
Social and psychological factors in the development of delinquency and sexual deviance
Smallbone, Stephen W
In: Barbaree, H. E. and Marshall, W. L. The juvenile sex offender. New York: Guilford Press, 2nd ed., 2006, p105-127
There are two common assumptions about juvenile sex offenders: first, that they are a distinct population of juvenile delinquents, and second, that without effective treatment they are likely to become adult sex offenders. This chapter disputes these assumptions, and reviews the literature on the development of juvenile delinquency, the development of sexual deviance, the progression from juvenile to adult sexual offending, criminal versatility, and the distinction between sexual crime and sexual deviance.
Steering a more confident course: information regarding sexualised and sexually abusive behaviours of children and young people (whole volume PDF 546KB)
Krogh, Chris; Carey, Kylie
Central Coast Practice XChange no.1 Nov 2004: 24-27
Responding to the sexual behaviours of children and young people can present challenges to child health and welfare workers. This article provides a brief review of the literature on sexualised and sexually abusive behaviours of children and young people. It then suggests ways of responding to aggressive and other sexual behaviours, including referral to statutory and other relevant government agencies. It discusses the benefits to children and young people who demonstrate sexualised behaviour of treating them as children with special needs, and of providing appropriate services to help them regain their childhood.
Treatment of young men who sexually abuse: the involvement of family
Boyd, Cameron
Family Relationships Quarterly no.2 2006: 6-8
Should families be involved in the therapeutic treatment of young people with sexually abusive behaviour? This article considers whether family background contributes to sexually abusive behaviour, given that young men engage in sexually abusive behaviour in a gendered social and cultural context. The article outlines the appropriate level of involvement for family members in the assessment, supervision and treatment of young offenders.
Understanding, assessing, and rehabilitating juvenile sexual offenders
Rich, Phil; Longo, Robert E
Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2003
This book is aimed at therapists and program managers working with child and adolescent sexual offenders. It describes and discusses assessment, risk assessment and treatment models and theory, and presents an overview of sexual development and sexual offending.
What works for children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours?
Hackett, Simon
Barkingside, England: Barnardo's, 2004
This book, for professionals working with sexually abusive adolescents and children with harmful sexual behaviours, reviews key research studies on abnormal and abusive sexual behaviour and intervention strategies. It aims to present an accessible review of key findings for practice.
Working with adolescents who have committed sexual abuse: establishing a new place to stand
Stillman, John R
International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work no.1 2006: 32-38
To reduce the risk of re offending among young perpetrators of sexual abuse, alternative treatment to that used for adult sex offenders should be utilised. This article cautions against labelling these young offenders as sex offenders and thus stripping them of any individual identity. It discusses several tools, including the use of externalising practices, which begins by exploring the family and placing the problem apart from the family; giving people a new place to stand, which explores the individual's skills and practices of living; re authoring conversations, which explores the person as a whole, rather than concentrating on their offence; remembering practices, which aims to reconnect the individual with people who have had a positive influence in their life; outsider witness practices; and enabling people to make a statement of position.
Working with children and young people who sexually abuse: taking the field forward
Calder, Martin C
Lyme Regis England: Russell House, 2007
Chapters include: working with families of children and young people who sexually abuse; young people with learning disabilities and special needs; risk assessment; models of rehabilitation; and recidivism in young people who sexually abuse.
Young men who have sexually abused: a case study guide
Durham, Andrew
Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons, 2006
This volume explores the current theoretical and practice issues involved in working therapeutically with young men who have sexually abused. Linking theory to practice, the author provides detailed case studies of young men who have committed varying acts of inappropriate or harmful sexual behaviours, and analyses the therapeutic interventions provided for each.
Young people who sexually abuse: key issues
Boyd, Cameron; Bromfield, Leah
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2006, 8p (ACSSA wrap no.3)
Current research and practice on understanding and responding to young people who have committed acts of sexual abuse is summarised. The paper describes normal sexual behaviour for adolescents and discusses how common sexual abuse by young people is, who young people offend against, at what age young people sexually abuse, demographics and characteristics of young people who sexually abuse, whether young offenders are victims of sexual abuse, whether young offenders continue abusing as adults, reactions of family, sibling sexual abuse, supervision and monitoring of offenders and victims, where young offenders live after disclosure and assessment, treatment for victims and offenders, and the roles of police, child protection authorities and schools.