ABSTRACT
Juvenile sex offending is an issue of major public concern, yet currently little is understood about its origins. In particular, there is a very limited understanding of the motivations and the internal world of the offender. Pervading the research is confusion about the definition of juvenile sex offending internationally. Added to the serious and extensive nature of juvenile sex offending, there is a significant under-reporting of sexual assault, especially in cases of child sexual abuse. Sex offending can also begin earlier than adolescence, with rates of child molestation by other children under the age of thirteen years accounting for between 13% and 18% of all childhood sexual abuse cases and 11% of all forcible rape charges. The significance of these rates of sexual abuse becomes apparent when the effect this abuse has on its victims is considered. Children who are sexually abused are also more likely to be subsequently arrested themselves for sexual assault.
