A PROFILE OF YOUNG SEX OFFENDERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Objective. The aim of this study was to establish a profile of the salient psychological and sociological characteristics among young male sex offenders in South Africa. Method. Twenty participants were selected who had been referred by both the legal system and the health and welfare system. The participants were all male, aged between seven and 15 years. Data were collected using structured interviews with the participants' caregivers and semi-structured interviews with the participants. Any other available documentation pertaining to the sexual offence and the participant's life history, including legal dockets, hospital files, police reports, victim and witness statements and social worker reports was reviewed and utilised as another source of data. The data were analysed utilising descriptive statistics such as frequencies to explore the salient psychological and sociological characteristics within the sample. Results. Results showed that half the sample had committed prior sex offences. The majority of young sex offenders had a history of consenting sexual interactions, had committed a non-sexual offence and experienced behavioural problems. Half the sample reported a history of physical or sexual abuse. Typically, the young sex offender was sexually naïve and had not received any suitable sex education. He was usually a scholar although his school attendance was often infrequent and he was likely to have failed one or more years. He tended to be either socially isolated and socially anxious or alternatively reported having a number of friends and appeared to have adequate social skills. His home environment was characterised by overcrowding, alcohol abuse and domestic violence. A significant male relative of his was likely to have committed a criminal offence. In his community environment, he regularly witnessed violence and sexual activity. The sex offences were usually carried out with a co-offender in a variety of venues. The victim was usually known and younger than the offender. The overall results suggest that young sex offenders commit an array of sexual offences that do not represent sexual experimentation, but rather indicate a developing pattern of sexual deviance. Conclusion. The study was the first of its kind in South Africa and thus represents innovative research into the characteristics of young sex offenders, their victims and the offences. Furthermore, the profile of young sex offenders in South Africa which developed out of this research provides the foundation for the development of appropriate preventative and treatment programmes. (Southern Af. J. of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2000, 12(1): 45-58