ABSTRACT
Much of what we know about the manifestation, etiology, and prognosis for sexual offenders stems from research with adults. Despite the fairly high prevalence and harsh punishments for juvenile sexual offenders, the field still knows little about the course and roots of these behaviors in youth. Developmental differences in psychopathology and amenability to treatment highlight the need for separate etiological and treatment models when dealing with juveniles. This chapter reviews our current understanding of adult sex offending and contrasts this literature with our gaps in knowledge pertaining to juvenile sex offenders. We conclude with suggestions for future research and treatment strategies.
