Risk and Protective Factors for Recidivism Among Juveniles Who Have Offended Sexually

Abstract

Literature on risk factors for recidivism among juveniles who have sexually offended (JSOs) is limited. In addition, there have been no studies published concerning protective factors among this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of risk and protective factors to sexual and nonsexual recidivism among a sample of 193 male JSOs (mean age = 15.26). Youths were followed for an average of 7.24 years following discharge from a residential sex offender treatment program. The risk factor opportunities to reoffend, as coded based on the Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offense Recidivism, was associated with sexual recidivism. Several risk factors (e.g., prior offending; peer delinquency) were associated with nonsexual recidivism. No protective factors examined were associated with sexual recidivism, although strong attachments and bonds as measured by the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth was negatively related to nonsexual recidivism. These findings indicate that risk factors for nonsexual recidivism may be consistent across both general adolescent offender populations and JSOs, but that there may be distinct protective factors that apply to sexual recidivism among JSOs. Results also indicate important needs for further research on risk factors, protective factors, and risk management strategies for JSOs.

Protective Factors and Recidivism in Accused Juveniles Who Sexually Offended

“…The findings of the current study support the results previously reported by Spice et al (2013). In their study, no protective factor of the SAVRY was associated with sexual recidivism.…”

A Prospective Investigation of Factors That Predict Desistance From Recidivism for Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended

“…For example, Spice et al (2012) found that the SAVRY-protective factor Strong attachments and bonds had a small but statistically significant negative correlation with nonviolent recidivism but not with sexual recidivism in their sample of 193 adolescents with sexual offenses. There simply is insufficient empirical work yet to draw firm conclusions about which constructs and measures of protective factors should be incorporated into comprehensive risk assessments with this population.…”

Changes in J-SOAP-II and SAVRY Scores Over the Course of Residential, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adolescent Sexual Offending

“…This sample of youth has been included in previous research on risk and protective factors (Elkovitch, Viljoen, Scalora, & Ullman, 2008; Latzman, Viljoen, Scalora, & Ullman, 2011; Spice, Viljoen, Latzman, Scalora, & Ullman, 2013; Viljoen, Elkovitch, Scalora, & Ullman, 2009; Viljoen et al, 2008). However, the current study has a different focus (i.e., dynamic change) and does not include any analyses that are redundant with prior work.…”