| There are different types
of offenses and different issues that lead people to offend. Within a situation
in which sexual abuse has occurred there are different issues at play. Categorization
is necessary to understand how the reoffense rates are calculated, and the most
applicable and effective treatment methods and practices. This information is
from the many studies and reports from the US and Canadian
governments and noted treatment
professionals available on this site in the Major
Studies section. Also available is a list of the paraphilias
with brief explanations. Intra-familial This
is the most common type of sexual abuse. Most sexual abuse occurs within a family
[intra-familial] or close circle of acquaintences a "Zone of Association."
The members of this family will have different issues - the victim is usually
a child or step-child, however, the offender may be a parent or a sibling. The
non-offending parent [NOP] may be the parent of both the victim and the offender,
or may be married to the offender and be the parent of the victim. Exposure Commonly
called "flashing." Be aware that this can also include peeing in the
woods while hiking, thanks to our Supreme Court, and of course "mooning."
There are actually cases of teens 'mooning' someone and then becoming registered
sex offenders for a [albeit tasteless] prank. Statutory Rape This
can encompass a large territory, including a juvenile or young adult who had a
boy- or girlfriend who was a few months or years younger, to the adult who was
truly unaware of the person's underage status. This category of offenders is growing
daily, and more and more young women are being charged with statutory rape
for having boyfriends under 18. Lewd acts with a child under 12 or 14 This
category can encompass a large territory as well. This generally means that there
was sexual contact but not intercourse. However, this statute is used very broadly.
For example, in California the statute states that contact may occur anywhere
on the body through clothes [i.e., patting a child on the head on their hat can
be applied here]. Child molestation This category includes
substantial sexual contact with a minor, and that contact may be reciprocated.
However, many juveniles are being charged with "attempted molestation of
a child" for having a boy- or girlfriend under 18. This is a disturbing trend.
Child molest must be broken down further into categories: - homosexual
-man/boy - highest reoffense rate, hardest to treat, may have multiple victims
- heterosexual
- low reoffense rate, respond well to treatment, many times one or low number
of victims;
- intra-familial - lowest reoffense rate, responds best
to treatment, very often one victim
Rape Forced sexual
intercourse is not about sex, although the victim would adamantly disagree. But
psychologically, the crime of rape is about anger, power and control. These offenders
have a high reoffense rate and are the least responsive to treatment. Also, rapists
tend to have had other convictions for crimes, and may have had voyerism or similar
offenses. |
