Juvenile-perpetrated sex crimes: Patterns of offending and predictors of violence

Criminal record reviews were conducted on 126 juveniles arrested for sex of fenses against children (n = 62) or peers and adults (n = 64). Peer/adult o ffenders were found more consistently to offend against females who were st rangers or acquaintances, move frequently to commit their crimes-in public area, and more often to act in a group with other offenders. Peer/adult off enders were also move likely to commit the sex crime in association with ot her criminal activity, and they evidenced higher overall levels of aggressi on and violence. In general the aggression of child molesters tended to int imidation rather than physical force, whereas the aggression of peer/ adult offenders was move injurious, and perhaps gratuitous. Violence in peer/adu lt offenders, brit not of child molesters, was predicted by the interactive influence of the victim's gender, age, and level of resistance.