Criminological differences between contact sex offenders targeting adult and minor victims

• In Event: Sex offenders

Abstract

Victim age has often been used as a distinguishing factor between perpetrators. This study aimed to analyse the distinctive criminological characteristics of contact sexual offenders with adult and minor victims. The study involved 97 adult males who were serving a prison sentence in Spain for at least one contact sexual offence against an adult or a minor. Researchers gathered data on criminological variables concerning the offender, victim, and modus operandi from prison records and interviews and between-group differences were analysed. Sex offenders with adult victims (SOAV) exhibited higher rates of violence/intimidation (Φ = -.362, p < .001) and weapon use (Φ = -.362, p = .008). Additionally, they were more likely to offend against their intimate partners (V = .393, p = .002) and in public places (V = .426, p = .001), and a marginal statistically significant relationship suggested that they were more likely to have female victims (V = .246, p = .051). SOAV were also more likely to be serving other ongoing prison sentences (Φ = -.450, p < .001) and reported having a history of substance abuse (Φ = -.285, p = .005). Sex offenders with minor victims (SOMV), in contrast, were more likely to offend against family members (V = .426, p = .001). Additionally, there was a statistically significant age difference between the two groups at the time of assessment (t53.396 = -2.914, p = .005, d = -.561), with SOMV (M = 45.16 years; SD = 12.54; range = 19–77) being older than SOAV (M = 38.59 years; SD = 8.1; range = 22–55). These results suggest that there are key differences between SOAV and SOMV that should be considered in tailored prevention programmes for each subgroup of offenders.

Authors

• Virginia Soldino, Universitat de València

• Carlos López-Pinar, Universidad Europea