This paper differentiates four subgroups on the basis of victim characteristics within a sample of 100 British sexually abusive male adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years. The groups were compared in terms of their background characteristics and sexually abusive behavior. Results indicated that when subgroups were delineated on the basis of victim characteristics, they could be reliably differentiated on several abuser and abuse characteristics. Findings were generally consistent with those described in the North American literature. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to etiology and to the development of a taxonomic classification system for British sexually abusive adolescents.

A personality-based taxonomy of an out-patient sample of 112 sexually abusive adolescents is described. Five subgroups were derived from cluster analytic procedures applied to Personality Patterns scales scores from the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI), and were named: Normal, Antisocial, Submissive, Dysthymic/Inhibited, and Dysthymic/Negativistic. The groups were also found to be differentiated on the psychopathology scales of the MACI. The results of the study provide evidence of the heterogeneity of adolescent sexual abusers in both personality characteristics and psychopathology. Comparison of groups differentiated on the basis of victim characteristics did not indicate a relationship between personality and sexual offence.

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This paper describes some of the background characteristics and sexu, aUy abusive behaviour of 100 British sexuaUy abusive male adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years. A retrospective file review and clinical assessment provided rele, vant information on aU subjects who had a documented history of sexual assault or abuse against others. Subjects came from a variety of sources including residential child care centres, secure facilities and an adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic. Demographic characteristics and abuser characteristics are described, including the family environment, history of involvement with health and social services, school adjustment and performance, history of non,sexual antisocial behaviour, and also the adolescents' own prior experiences of physical and sexual abuse. Abuse and vic, tim characteristics are also described, including duration of abusive behaviour, types of sexually abusive behaviour exhibited, sex offence convictions, method of over, coming victim resistance, location where abuse took place, sex and age of victims, and abuser-victim relationship. These abuser and abuse characteristics were found to be consistent with those described in the North American literature. The implica, tions of these findings are discussed in relation to the aetiology, management and treatment of sexuaUy abusive behaviour in British adolescents.

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