Exploring Additional Delinquency, ACEs, and Antisociality in Florida Juvenile Sex Offenders

• In Event: Florida Juvenile Justice: Trending Topics, Advancements in Data and Research, and Statewide Systemic Responses

Abstract

Although juveniles are responsible for less than 10% of crime nationally, juveniles are responsible for a disproportionate number of the sexually-related offenses committed every year; estimates range from 20% to 50%, depending on the offense type. For most youth, the presenting sexual offense is their first contact with the juvenile justice system. However, for an important subgroup of youth, the sexual offense is a component of a larger pattern of delinquency. Building upon prior research and using secondary data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, this study seeks to explore the impact of additional delinquency, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and youth antisociality on individual-level case outcomes. The paper closes with a discussion of theory, policy/protocol implications, and implications for future research.

Authors

• Katherine C. Gomez, University of Central Florida / Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Mark A. Greenwald, Florida State University

• Nathan Epps, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Allison Reagan, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice