THE RELEVANCE OF EARLY-LIFE EXPERIENCE TO THE BEHAVIOR OF SEXUALLY ABUSIVE YOUTH

Interventions for sexually abusive behaviour were initially informed b y research and practice with adults who sexually offend. However, the goals of earlier identification and treatment in childhood and adolesc ence should be to interrupt the accommodation and assimilation of devi ance and to help the abusive youth return to a more normative course o f development. This paper reviews factors in two domains of human deve lopment and experience which are relevant to sexually abusive behaviou r: sexuality and interpersonal functioning, The implications of a deve lopmental-contextual approach are discussed as the basis for goal-orie nted prevention and treatment planning to decrease risks and increase assets.