An Exploration of the Characteristics and Behaviors of Undetected Intrafamilial Child Sex Offenders

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

To date typologies of sexual aggressors of children have predominately been developed based on convicted offenders, a population that represents a minority of all sex offenders and a particularly small proportion of intrafamilial sexual aggressors of children. In clinical typologies intrafamilial offenders typically fall into the category of ‘regressed’ types where offending emerges, in part, as the result of family dysfunction. In the current study, the characteristics and behaviours of “undetected” intrafamilial perpetrators were explored based self-report experiences of adult survivors. The sample consisted of twenty-six adult survivors of intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants about the nature and extent of their sexual abuse experiences, and the characteristics and behaviours of the perpetrators. Inductive thematic analysis of the data was conducted utilising an essentialist perspective. The results highlight heterogeneity among sibling, biological, socio-legal, and extended family member perpetrators of child sexual abuse across individual attributes, behaviours, and abuse characteristics. These findings are discussed in the context of existing child sexual abuse offender typologies.

Author

• Melanie Burton, University of New South Wales