Violent adolescent sexual offenders

Adolescent Sex Offenders

“…Such medications, when used with juveniles, may signifi cantly affect the body and negatively impact normal growth and development. It is further suggested that although little is known about the long-term medical effect of antiandrogens on adults, the long-term use of antiandrogens in adolescents has been noted to be questionable psychologically and medically (O'Shaughnessey, 2002 ). Thus, ethical concerns related to the use of these medications with juveniles are substantial (Hunter & Lexier, 1998 ).…”

Youth Violence: Sources and Solutions in South Africa

“…Youthful sex offending is not caused by a single risk or causative factor, but by the interaction of many risk and causative (and protective) factors at many ecological levels (see Chapter 3). Although a great deal is known about the magnitude, risks, patterns and determinants of youth offending in general, particularly internationally (see Chapter 2), adolescent sex offenders are a complex and heterogeneous group and much more research is still needed in this area (O'Shaughnessy, 2002). What follows is a brief review of what we know about risks for youthful sex offending.…”

“…Young sex offenders have also been reported to meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression (Vizard et al, 1995). In recent studies, violent young sex offenders have scored from mild to severe on measures of juvenile psychopathy (O'Shaughnessy, 2002). It is also important to note that the association between child maltreatment and sex offending may be indirect, through its association with psychopathology.…”

“…Some studies show that young sex offenders are more likely to have experienced physical abuse than sexual abuse (Aljazireh, 1993), while other authors demonstrate that there is simply less variability in the incidence of physical abuse than sexual or emotional abuse. A review of studies showed that 0% -80% of young sex offenders report sexual abuse, whereas 25% -50% report physical abuse (O'Shaughnessy, 2002). One study found a risk pathway to sexual offending starting with an initial report of neglect, followed by at least two physical or sexual abuse reports (Jonson-Reid & Way, 2001).…”

Organic Approaches to the Treatment of Paraphilics and Sex Offenders

“…(2) Psychotropic medications for primary treatment ofmale aggressive hypersexuality, for treatment ofco-occurring psychiatric symptomatology, or for both. (3) An experimental pharmacologic approach to the treatment ofthis population consists ofthe use ofantiepileptic drugs, or "AED's"to stabilize the impulsivity/compulsivity ofthese subjects, in reducing the hypothesized "kindling" that may occur during impulsive/compulsive periods in these individuals.…”