A group of 13 child sex abusers over the age of 65 years is described. They are similar in most respects to sex offenders against children in other age groups, with regard to the seriousness of the abusive behaviours described, but they differ in terms of being of higher socioeconomic status, having stable backgrounds and reporting low rates of personal sexual victimization. These factors may contribute to their apparent skill in avoidin detecdemonstrate low levels of psychiatric illness, and in particular of organic disorders. There appears to be an increased tendency by the courts to consider non-custodial disposal options for elderly sex offenders as they are perceived as being less of a risk and their physical frailty may make them less able to tolerate the rigours of prison life.tion. In common with younger child sex abusers, these elderly o B fenders Little has been written about the elderly child sex abuser. This may reflect a view that old age is inevitably accompanied by a decrease in sexual desire and functioning, which has perhaps created the assumption that there is an automatic decrease in risk as the young sex offender ages. Goodwin et al. (1983) state that 'men who molest children in old age are unlikely to repeat