The relationship between adolescent sex offender behaviors and victim characteristics with prior victimization

Adolescent sexual offenders have recently been the focus of a number of research studies that have indicated that sexual offending often begins in adolescence and that prior sexual abuse of this group is common. This study examined the relationship between prior victimization and subsequent sexual abuse of others. The variables of gender; age, relationship of victim and offender and sexual behaviors were compared by gathering information from a sample of adolescent sexual offenders with respect to their prior victimization and their subsequent perpetration. It was hypothesized that adolescent sexual offenders were more likely to repeat the behaviors they had experienced as victims and that the characteristics of victims were more likely to be reflective of their own victim experiences. The results supported the hypotheses. implications for future research and clinical practice were discussed.