P017. Child Sexual Offenders: A Typological Analysis of Sociodemographic and Legal-Penal Factors

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Child sexual offenders constitute a heterogeneous group, exhibiting a wide diversity of behaviors, motivations, and characteristics. The motivation-facilitation model (Seto, 2017) provides a valuable framework for understanding these differences, highlighting how certain factors contribute to offense trajectories. Prior research has distinguished between online and offline offenders, revealing key differences in sociodemographic and legal-penal characteristics. Meta-analytic findings indicate that online offenders tend to be younger, more educated, and more likely to be single and unemployed compared to offline offenders, while mixed offenders—those engaging in both online and contact offenses—are more likely to have prior criminal records and different offense patterns (Babchishin et al., 2011, 2015).
Building on these empirical insights, this study conducts a comparative analysis of sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, marital and professional status, educational background, childhood family structure) and legal-penal variables (e.g., offense characteristics, prior criminal record, offender-victim dynamics, modus operandi) across offender typologies, including child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenders, online groomers, mixed offenders, and contact offenders.
By identifying distinct offender profiles and behavioral patterns, this study aims to provide valuable insights for the development of tailored prevention strategies, risk assessment tools, and intervention programs. Recognizing the heterogeneity within this offender population is crucial for informing evidence-based policies, strengthening child protection efforts, and ensuring a more effective and just legal response. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on offender typologies and the complexity of child sexual offending, with implications for both theoretical advancements and applied criminal justice practices.

Authors

• Cláudia Patrícia Gouveia, Psychology Research Center, University of Minho

• Michael C. Seto, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group

• Sõnia Maria Martins Caridade, Escola de Psicologia da Universidade do Minho

• Luís Oliveira, Universidade do Minho

• Beatriz Simões, Universidade do Minho

• Beatriz Guerra, Universidade do Minho

• Olga Cunha, University of Minho