Risk Factor Research Published
A new study of the risk factors for the perpetration of child sexual abuse shows that sex offenders against children were not different from those who sexually offended against adults other than showing lower externalizing behaviors.
The research gathered and analyzed the results of other studies. It was initiated by Stop It Now! and completed in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An article was published in the May 2008 edition of the journal Child Abuse and Neglect.
Findings suggest that the presence of general risk factors may lead to a variety of negative behavioral outcomes, including the perpetration of child sexual offending. Family factors were strongly related to child sex offending as compared to non-sexual offending or non-offending. These might be valuable intervention points for interrupting the development of this and other negative behaviors.
Deborah Donovan Rice, Stop It Now! Executive Director, and Alisa Klein, former Stop It Now! Director of Public Policy, were co-authors along with lead author Daniel Whitaker and researchers Brenda Le, R. Karl Hanson, Charlene K. Baker, Pam M. McMahon and Gail Ryan.
D. Whitaker et al. Risk Factors for the Perpetration of Child Sexual Abuse: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal, 32 (5). May 2008, pp 529-548.