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Question 1
1. Youth sex offenders are classified between those who sexually offend against adults or their
peers and those who sexually offend against children. Provide a comparison between the two
categories of youth sex offenders by including the following elements in your discussion.
Types of victims
Offence patterns
Social and behavioural patterns
Criminal history
When discussing the youth sex offender, incorporate the characteristics (i.e. age, family
environment, intellectual and educational features, social development, victim-offender
relationship, prior victimisation, and gender of youth sex offenders) in your discussion where
applicable.
Youth sex offenders are a complex and multifaceted group, with their behaviors and motivations
often reflecting a combination of personal history, social environment, and psychological factors.
These offenders can generally be categorized into those who sexually offend against adults or peers
and those who target children. Understanding the distinctions between these groups, including the
characteristics of the offenders themselves, is critical for effective intervention and prevention
strategies. This essay will provide a comparison between these two categories by examining the
types of victims, offense patterns, social and behavioral patterns, and criminal history, while also
incorporating relevant characteristics such as age, family environment, intellectual and educational
features, social development, victim-offender relationship, prior victimization, and gender.
Types of Victims
Youth who sexually offend against adults or peers typically select victims who are close in age, often
within their immediate social circle. These victims might be friends, classmates, or acquaintances,
making the dynamics of the offense more complex due to pre-existing relationships. Offenders in
this category are generally adolescents, usually aged between 14 and 18, who are navigating the
tumultuous period of adolescence. The offenses are often driven by a combination of sexual curiosity,
peer pressure, or a desire to exert control or dominance within their peer group.
In contrast, youth who offend against children often target much younger victims, frequently within
their family or close community. These victims may be siblings, relatives, or children under the
offender’s care. The significant age gap between the offender and the victim is a defining
characteristic, with offenders often being older adolescents or early teenagers, while their victims are
usually prepubescent. The power imbalance and the trust often placed in the offender by the victim
or the victim's guardians make these offenses particularly insidious.
