Multilevel Approach to Child Sexual Abuse: Profiles, Patterns, and Contexts

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

While cases of child sexual abuse are highly mediatized, research on perpetrators of child sexual abuse remains scarce. This context paved the way for myths, misconceptions and erroneous conclusions about child sexual abuse. The idea that all individuals having sexually abused against a child are uncontrollable pedophiles accumulating hundreds of victims is not supported by empirical findings. This panel is particularly concerned with the fact that child sexual abuse is a highly heterogenous phenomenon. The presenters will offer a multifaceted approach combining individual-level factors (such as developmental antecedents, cognitive aspects, and criminal careers) and environmental-level factors (such as crime commission context, offender-victim relationship). The first presentation concerns sexual fantasies toward children and the fear of perpetrating child sexual abuse. The second presentation offers a developmental approach to understand the multiple pathways toward child sexual abuse. The third presentation highlights the criminal career patterns of institutional-based sexual offenders (e.g., clergy, sports, schools). In that context, this panel addresses the relative absence of empirical studies examining the context conducive to child abuse and associated risk factors. Dr. Patrick Lussier will discuss the theoretical and clinical implications regarding the multifaceted phenomenon of child sexual abuse.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Types of Offending / 14. Rape and Sexual Assault

Individual Presentations

• Examining Sexual Fantasies and Fear of Offending among Minor Attracted Persons: A Latent Class Analysis - Etienne Garant, Université de Montréal; Jean Proulx, Université de Montréal

• The Developmental Antecedents of Child Sexual Abuse: An Empirical Framework Using a Developmental Approach - Alexandre Gauthier, Université de Montréal; Patrick Lussier, Université Laval

• The Criminal Careers of Institutional-Based Sex Offenders - Elisabeth St-Pierre, Université Laval; Patrick Lussier, Université Laval; Nadine Deslauriers-Varin, Université Laval

Chair

• Stephanie Chouinard Thivierge, Université Laval

Discussant

• Patrick Lussier, Université Laval